Bantam 200 Bearing Upgrade

[steelheadman]

I plan on doing a bearing and drag washer upgrade to this Bantam 200, using bearings from Boca, and washers from SmoothDrag....question is, would replacing the white nylon spool bushing, with a bearing, make a marked difference in the perfromance of the reel, or is this just spending $$$ un-necessarily? My plan is to put this reel to extensive use during the upcoming winter steelhead season....thanks

[alantani]

likely no, though it is sometimes done.  the spool will never come under so much load that a third bearing would be needed.