Sealine 300H / 50H gear swap

Decker · September 15, 2026, 12:53:25 AM

Greg, I had thought previously that the bridge was stainless steel, but it's chromed brass I think. Not as hard as might be assumed, but who knows how it happened...

I'm all set with the sleeve, thanks. Bought one that Cortez makes for the Daiwa Sealine reels.

Decker · September 19, 2026, 01:17:18 AM

Completed the 5-stack drag and put her back together, finally!

One concern, the last eared washer was laying dead even with the top of the main gear. When assembling the bridge that washer could easily have slipped so that the ears are not in the slots. How would I know? How would I prevent it the next time?

The reel feels good, cranks good, and the drag seems to be working. Now it needs tested! How do you tuna-test a reel in your backyard? Need to make sure it is smooth and get a number.

I reely-reely like the 300H form factor, and I bought some extra parts to make multiple 50H/300H 5 stacks. Thinking of doing a 350H and a 50H. More on that later.

With the orange braid it is a Halloween beast. Recently I went out of Eastman's Docks in New Hampshire. Can't wait to try this reel out in the Gulf of Maine.

Is this project worthy of the esteemed Tani wrench?

P.S. Here is the thread for building the handle: https://alantani.com/index.php/topic,40429. It's a Shimano handle that I filed to fit, and it fits well.

Decker · September 22, 2026, 02:26:09 AM

Hey, could I have some attention here? I actually finished a reel upgrade!

JasonGotaProblem · September 22, 2026, 02:30:41 AM

That's awesome. Most drag upgrades I participate in find the top eared washer flush with the main, that just means you efficiently used all the space. If there was more clearance I'd probably try to make it a 7 stack.

The project isn't finished til you land something. I say this as the owner of many unfinished projects.

Decker · September 23, 2026, 01:32:54 AM

Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on September 22, 2026, 02:30:41 AMThat's awesome. Most drag upgrades I participate in find the top eared washer flush with the main, that just means you efficiently used all the space. If there was more clearance I'd probably try to make it a 7 stack.

The project isn't finished til you land something. I say this as the owner of many unfinished projects.

Thanks for that, Jason. Yeah, I need to take that puppy fishing!

steelfish · September 25, 2026, 11:35:20 PM

great upgrade Joe
I found out that the best way to learn about fishing reels its to to modify one as you did, inspect, search, measure, etc how to put a part from another reel to the reel you want to mod.
excellent job amigo.

PS: the daiwa 50H was my fist reel I took fishing to the sea, that was around 20 years ago, I still have it, it doesnt work because I blew it out (literally), I still have the rigth sideplate and gears, tho

Decker · September 26, 2026, 02:09:31 AM

Hey Alex, means a lot to hear that from you. Man, your rods are something! I was thinking to ask you about the 400H drag; I know you mentioned it. I'm looking for 50H gears too. Anyway, we'll talk more later...

Gfish · September 28, 2026, 02:47:11 PM

I've used a sand spike pounded into my lawn to stabilize the rig, then took off running at various drag settings to test. Best might be to hold it yourself and get a kid to play the part of the fish.

steelfish · September 28, 2026, 05:01:27 PM

Quote from: Decker on September 26, 2026, 02:09:31 AMHey Alex, means a lot to hear that from you. Man, your rods are something! I was thinking to ask you about the 400H drag; I know you mentioned it. I'm looking for 50H gears too. Anyway, we'll talk more later...

I remember I searched for that 50H before and found what still remains from it, but I dont remember where I put it LOL, is should be easy to find it again, let me know if you need it, I think is the whole right sideplate mechanism, gears, springs, etc