Spinning Reel Clicking Sound

[Musky.Hunter]

I have two retro spinning reels that click when I reel them.  I read it might be anti reverse but they clicked out of the box.

The first is a Abu Garcia Cardinal 154.  Not sure if it started day 1 but i think it did.

The next is a Shakesphere blue 2400 series (todays 4000 size).  I am 100% sure it clicked straight out of the box.

They have a switch to back reel and don't click when you back reel.  I always though the clicker was on to alert you the back reel feature was off.

Is this why do they click when i reel the handle?

 

[happyhooker]

I see you are new to the site.  Greetings.

When you say "click", is it, like, one tick per revolution of the spool?  Or, one tick per handle crank?  Or maybe, a fairly steady clicking?  Or, something else?

We should be able to narrow it down.

Frank

[Gfish]

Sounds like most retro-spinning reels. With the anti-reverse switch turned on for one direction operation, there should be a click sound to let you know it's on. When off, the reel should turn both directions with NO click sound.
The exception would be a spinner with an anti-reverse bearing in it, that has an "on-off" switch which would make NO sound for either one-way reeling or reeling both directions.
One other version is the ARB with no switch, which only allows you to reel in, also with NO click sound.
Ok, there's one more; expensive, larger, modern reels often have an ARB with no on-off switch, along with a BACK-UP DOG that engages when the ARB slips, allowing the reel to turn backwards. A damaged or over-lubed ARB does this sometimes. The dog in this type of spinner will click, letting you know it's working as designed.

Clicking right out of the box means the anti-reverse switch was on when packaged, maybe to keep the rotor from turning during transport.

[jurelometer]

Rejoice at the sound. Most older anti-reverse reels have a sprung anti reverse dog.  The spring tension causes the dog to make a clicking noise as it rides up and down over rotating teeth somewhere in the drive train.  The shape of the dog and teeth allow for rotation in only one direction.  That switch to enable back reeling is holding the dog off the teeth.

It is the simplest and most reliable anti-reverse mechanism that you will find in a reel.  It is still used in higher drag reels, because it is also the strongest.

The only downsides are that clicking noise you hear when you turn the handle, and a slight amount of backward rotation as the dog engages.  Later designs used silent eared dogs without springs, and most modern spinning reels use roller clutches.  These address the shortcomings of sprung dog designs at the expense of reliability.

Here is a common spinning reel anti-reverse design using a sprung dog from that era.  There are others, but they will all make that clicking noise:


And welcome!

-J

[quang tran]

That clicking sound design to attract Musky to strike . Some reel seem to attract more ,some less some only attract mosquitos

[MACflyer]

That clicking sound design to attract Musky to strike . Some reel seem to attract more ,some less some only attract mosquitos

Clever and funny: still smiling as some of my reels seem to attract mosquitoes. 

[Midway Tommy]

As Gfish & J stated, your clicking sound is normal on an older spinning reel when the anti-reverse function is activated. When the A/R lever/knob/button/etc. is in the off position you should be able to turn the reel handle forward or reverse continuously with no clicking sound.

[Musky.Hunter]

happyhooker - yes it is fast clicking when reeling.

jurelometer - good thorough answer

quang tran - I do chase musky's but with Calcuttas and Lunas.

Thanks all.

[happyhooker]

Well, if it clicks steadily while reeling, some of the earlier responses have probably pinpointed what is going on by telling you it is normal click while the anti-reverse is on.  Pretty standard with older reels.  If it was only clicking one turn of the handle or one rotation of the spool, something was probably bent or catching on the rotation.

Frank

[Bilch]

Just gotta add my two cents here. I've always loved fishing with old reels, and for me that clattering, clicking, or buzzing anti-reverse is part of the charm - every reel has its own "voice". Some sound like a quiet clicker, others like a coffee grinder. I was out with a buddy not long ago and he said it drives him nuts every time I crank, because to him it sounds like I'm trying to haul in a rig with the drag wide open. To me though, that's exactly the music that makes old tackle so much fun 

[Midway Tommy]

I've never been a big fan of that A/R clicking sound. I'll fish with the A/R off and then switch it on once I hook a fish if I using that type of reel. It's also the reason why I like the black Japan made fulcrum drag Cardinals so much. They have a unique design that I've never seen on another brand of spinning reel. They have a wire that is attached to the A/R lever and main gear that allows it to pass by the teeth on the pinion gear keeping it silent until a slight reverse turn raises the lever/dawg into the teeth on the pinion. That setup is an improvement on the example J posted and I think it's way better than the infinite instant A/R clutch bearing systems. Lots less that can ultimately go wrong with that type of setup.

[Hardy Boy]

I love the click .... each to his own i guess.

Cheers

Todd

[Gfish]

Interesting, Midway, never knew that about the Japanese version Cardinal A/R's. Sounds like a real useful thing. Like you, I keep mine off until I hook-up then switch it on to use the drag. The constant A/R sound can be irritating. Now I'm gonna check into that. Anyone know of a spinning reel with the Abu(dog-ear) style A/R?

[Midway Tommy]

Greg, you can see an example of the design in the second photo here:

https://alantani.com/index.php/topic,24599.0.html

There's also more detail break down of the parts toward the end of the tutorial.

[Bilch]

Interesting, Midway, never knew that about the Japanese version Cardinal A/R's. Sounds like a real useful thing. Like you, I keep mine off until I hook-up then switch it on to use the drag. The constant A/R sound can be irritating. Now I'm gonna check into that. Anyone know of a spinning reel with the Abu(dog-ear) style A/R?

The DAM Quick Finessa XL has a similar setup.
I've got the complete 125–445 series, and I'll post some photos tomorrow when I get home.