I found a used one for not too terrible a price. I want to use it for a GOM heavy chunking/bottom set up paired with a Okuma pch74xxh I found for reasonable as well. I do have a couple of questions.
Drag curve: This seemed pretty good. I was able to get 4Lbs at 1, 10lbs at 2, 15 at the bottom of strike (the e), 26# at top of strike before the button (the r). When I pushed the button and put it at the s I got 30, 35 at just on the other side of the button and 40 all the way forward. All with really good freespool. Does this sound like a normal drag ramp up for this reel? I want to put 100lb hollow with an 80lb top shot so that all seems good?
Since that all seems really good I'm hesitant to break it down personally and give it a once over. Although I've been checking the sticky's and see some good tutorials. I've broken down my tlds and an international 50TW and 30tw. I'm thinking on this one it just seems a little more complicated. For now I don't think I want to sent it to Cals just yet but was wondering if there was someone y'all would recommend (does Alan do any more)? There was a guy named Rick in Florida but his website seems to be down. If I could stay in Texas (particularly San Antonio or Corpus Christi) that would be even better. My local guy in San Antonio is very good with baitcasters and spinners but I'm a little hesitant with him in an offshore reels just because I don't know. I'll probably talk to him anyway just to see.
Finally looking at this serial number A050014 it seems by my reading to be a 2005 model before the changes for the new rachet and spacing sleeve? Can anyone confirm as I can't find 100% clear SN info? But if so and it hasn't been done that's something that should be done? Same thing with the plastic shift button? That's something I should change to the metal one?
Thanks in advance!
Roy's Bait and Tackle on SPID in Corpus will have someone to do the job.
S/N info., that's what I'd like to find out about.
If you have the time, why not break it down yourself? Reels that scare/interest me because of their complexity are great and fun learning tools. I usually do a partial breakdown, say on yours, the spool/axel/drag system, then reassemble. Next might be the head-plate and 2-speed gear system, just leave the spool/drag/axel system intact to reduce memory lapses. What's left? Maybe the clicker system and the stand-clamp parts.
Takes awhile that way, but worth it to me. When it comes to my stuff like say my car, the more maintenance I can do myself, the better.
I think it breaks down as A=January 05=2005 0014=14th of that model assembled that year. - john
The VISX reels are not all that complicated. Not Avet easy to work on but not too bad.
honestly, i'd just i'd just fish with it. a larger handle grip would help tremendously. check with cortez conversions here in the "for sale" section for a handle grip. i think you might have to do some drilling to make it fit, but the improvement will be dramatic. yeah, just fish with this.
i will probably not be working on reels for the remainder of the year. priorities for the rest of the year are now different than before.
Quote from: Brewcrafter on September 24, 2025, 12:55:59 PMI think it breaks down as A=January 05=2005 0014=14th of that model assembled that year. - john
So if I understand when these reels came when these came out (2005) this was like the 14th one to roll off the production line. Thats interesting.
Quote from: oc1 on September 24, 2025, 05:40:45 AMRoy's Bait and Tackle on SPID in Corpus will have someone to do the job.
I get to Corpus quite often and will talk to them. Thank you.
Quote from: Gfish on September 24, 2025, 06:20:10 AMS/N info., that's what I'd like to find out about.
If you have the time, why not break it down yourself? Reels that scare/interest me because of their complexity are great and fun learning tools. I usually do a partial breakdown, say on yours, the spool/axel/drag system, then reassemble. Next might be the head-plate and 2-speed gear system, just leave the spool/drag/axel system intact to reduce memory lapses. What's left? Maybe the clicker system and the stand-clamp parts.
Takes awhile that way, but worth it to me. When it comes to my stuff like say my car, the more maintenance I can do myself, the better.
I had about 30 minutes between conference calls today and took the 3 left side screws out. Looks ok. And not too daunting to keep to the bigger assemblies.
Quote from: alantani on September 24, 2025, 02:56:55 PMhonestly, i'd just i'd just fish with it. a larger handle grip would help tremendously. check with cortez conversions here in the "for sale" section for a handle grip. i think you might have to do some drilling to make it fit, but the improvement will be dramatic. yeah, just fish with this.
i will probably not be working on reels for the remainder of the year. priorities for the rest of the year are now different than before.
I think that this is where I'm at. Seems good to go. Internals I saw were greased but I think it's been a bit. That said had 35 seconds of freespool even with a line tag end slapping the frame. May get it done in March of next year. I'll check out that handle.
Thanks all for the advice.
The most complicated part of a lever-drag for me was the axel. So many different washers/ball bearings/sleeves and springs, all I can usually do, is keep the parts arranged for proper reassembly. How they all work together is beyond me. You might be able to take the drag washer, cover and metal washer out and service it separate from the rest of the axel parts.
Got a little braver and spent a little time yesterday opening it up further. Things looked pretty good. I was able to pull the drag washers out. They looked good but greased them with Cals. Greased the major components. Had a bit of a tough time with one of the screws on the reel seat but let some penetrant sit on it for a couple hours and it came out. A couple bare spots but no real corrosion underneath. Protected the surface with marine grease and put the seat back on. Took all the line off and there was ancient looking duct tape on the spool. I had to wet a rag with carb cleaner to get the residue off. Took a bit. Put speed x on the bearings. Feeling really good about fishing it now. I just have to decide what brand of braid to fill it with.