Okuma Cavalla 5

[MexicanGulf]

Hi Guys, I have a problem with a 5 Cavalla that I use exclusively for vertical fishing techniques. I usually always use 15/18 lbs on the strike. It is a fairly new reel that I use very frequently and intensively. If I set the drag to about 16 lbs of straike, the handle tends to turn with difficulty. If I decrease the drag it turns normally or almost. What do you think it could be? Solutions?

[Hardy Boy]

You are going beyond the reels capability with that high of a drag setting. There is nothing you can do but fish lower setting. If it's smooth at lower setting then your pinion bearing and things are fine.

Todd

[Gfish]

Hardy Boy sounds right. It's a pretty small lever-drag. You might wreck the pinion bearing setting it that high.

[MexicanGulf]

I actually made a mistake in the conversion Kg to lbs. The values I use are 13 to 14 lbs of drag on the strike.

[Gfish]

I actually made a mistake in the conversion Kg to lbs. The values I use are 13 to 14 lbs of drag on the strike.

Checked it out; a 5N-II is 15/24lbs. So that means 15 in high-gear & 24 in low gear? But that's a maximum. Wrecking the pinion sucks. I'd decrease drag at strike several lbs. you need enough the set the hook, keep 'em sharp and be ready to quickly push the lever forward(says the guy without much experience).

[Gfish]

This looks like a lower price point Okuma LD. Maybe the stiffness is a relatively normal thing. I have a little-less expensive Shimano Speedmaster 8-II. Ramps-up quickly, and does get stiffer to turn at higher drag settings and it was that way outta the box.

[boon]

Still too much drag. The little size 5 Okumas with the single drag are only good for about 10lb before they start to squash the pinion bearing. You can upgrade the pinion to an Angular Contact bearing and the left side spool bearing to a deep groove, there is a thread about myself and Redsetta experimenting with the Metaloid 5 some years ago. This gets you a little bit more drag, maybe 15lb.

[sabaman1]

What area of the bearing does an angular contact come in contact to the pinion?

[steelfish]

... If I set the drag to about 16 lbs of straike, the handle tends to turn with difficulty. If I decrease the drag it turns normally or almost. What do you think it could be? Solutions?

there's a reason the Cavalla 12 exists !

if you need more drag than the Cavalla 5 offers on its limits, you should get the size #12

here in Baja everyone wants to fish with locked drags and expect to catch a monster grouper with a jigmaster, I always use the example of the golf clubs, every size have its reason, same deal with fishing rods and reels, after all they are just tools to catch the fish, that run from cheap to pretty expensive tools 

[boon]

What area of the bearing does an angular contact come in contact to the pinion?

If I am understanding your question correctly, the pinion gear sits in the inner race of the pinion bearing.

[MexicanGulf]

Finally after 15 months of intensive use I open the fishing reel. It seems very worn and battered. Almost a wreck to be thrown away, blocked pinion bearing and worn drag carbon disc.

[Hardy Boy]

I thing you need a bigger reel !!

Todd

[boon]

I'd recommend rinsing your reels better. That's full of salt.

[Gfish]

Greasy looking salt. Workin 'er out, dude.
In the picture the drag washer looks ok, just dirty. So do alla other parts. "Luuuucy!, you got some soaking to do".

[MexicanGulf]

I'd recommend rinsing your reels better. That's full of salt.

could you describe to me the correct procedure to treat the reels after each single outing? I would like to understand where I am going wrong. thanks