Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Fishing => Setting Up Your Reel to Go Fishing => Topic started by: Paul Roberts on June 16, 2021, 05:48:47 AM

Title: Lines for Bakelite Spools
Post by: Paul Roberts on June 16, 2021, 05:48:47 AM
Are modern PE lines OK for vintage Bakelite spools on conventional surf reels? How about monos? And what do you like for backing, if needed? Thanks!
Title: Re: Lines for Bakelite Spools
Post by: oc1 on June 16, 2021, 06:50:29 AM
You can put Spectra braid or dacron on any reel because they do not stretch.  With nylon you have to be careful.  Mono and braided nylon stretches a lot and can built up so much pressure when wound tightly that the spool flanges bow out and rub the frame.  Using a Spectra or dacron line with a mono top mono top shot is not a problem.  
Title: Re: Lines for Bakelite Spools
Post by: Paul Roberts on June 18, 2021, 09:09:56 PM
Thanks, oc1.
Title: Re: Lines for Bakelite Spools
Post by: Tiddlerbasher on June 19, 2021, 09:22:17 AM
X2 what Steve said - to tie braid to the spool use a 5 or 6 turn Arbor knot, leaving a long tag. It will not slip ;)
Title: Re: Lines for Bakelite Spools
Post by: Paul Roberts on July 02, 2021, 04:34:38 PM
Thanks, Tb.

I guess I should be asking about the strength/durability of various reels -spool, spool shafts, frame,... . With PE lines, diameter is the deciding factor. Say I have a bakelite, Penn 80/85 or an OC version... Would it be risky putting 40 or 50# PE braid on such a reel?
Title: Re: Lines for Bakelite Spools
Post by: oc1 on July 02, 2021, 06:56:09 PM
Quote from: Paul Roberts on July 02, 2021, 04:34:38 PM
Would it be risky putting 40 or 50# PE braid on such a reel?
It won't hurt, but the reel is going to hold much more line than you need.  They were designed for 20# mono which is equivalent diameter to about 65# Spectra.