Reel Repair by Alan Tani

I've had a 330 kicking around for years, and despite periodically hanging it on a rod and fishing it I cant quite seem to love it. One of the main issues is that the line "roller" seems to chew up line pretty quickly, maybe even faster than the non functional ones on the Mitchells. Not sure if this is typical or how I can fix it.

 The bail on this reel is connected to the bail arm with two small brass nuts, not the little cap nut that seems more typical. Not sure if that means anything, any advice would be welcome.

Quote from: bushleague on Today at 03:21:55 PMI've had a 330 kicking around for years, and despite periodically hanging it on a rod and fishing it I cant quite seem to love it. One of the main issues is that the line "roller" seems to chew up line pretty quickly, maybe even faster than the non functional ones on the Mitchells. Not sure if this is typical or how I can fix it.

 The bail on this reel is connected to the bail arm with two small brass nuts, not the little cap nut that seems more typical. Not sure if that means anything, any advice would be welcome.

Sounds like someone has "Gerry-rigged" the bail assembly connection point, as well as possibly replaced the line guide roller with an improper one at sometime in this reels life.  This is typical for DIY guys, and that is OK.

Also, depending on the type of line and fishing (salt/fresh) there could be a burr or score that is ruining your line.  This could be on the line guide, the bail mounting arm, or improper attachment hardware.

The bail wire could also have rough spots.

If you could post some photos, that would help.

Then I would send you what I think you need to make it right and last for another lifetime.

This is an easy, simple, and quick fix.

Many times, all this would need is a new carbide-tungsten line guide, a new bail arm possibly, the right acorn nut, and a lock washer.  Then a good steel wool "0000" smoothing of the bail wire.

Could be something weird — but that is unlikely.

The reel is well worth bringing up to 100%.

Best, Fred

OH yes , A picture is needed !

A couple pictures. The bail does not seem to have any rough spots on it. The bail arm is bent, but having watched it while fishing the line does not seem to rub on it, likely I should try straightening that one out for starters though.

Despite having it apart multiple times the line guide has never rolled properly, possibly because its pretty much impossible to get those tiny nuts to actually jam up and it ends up over tightened (to hold backup you would need to grind your wrench jaws down to about the thickness of a credit card!) You can also see I built a bit of an epoxy "ramp" under the nuts, to minimise the tendancy of the line to get wrapped back there as I suspected that to be the culprit for a while. It comes off easily enough.

RIMG0213 by , on Flickr

RIMG0212 by , on Flickr

Here are some new parts to make your DQ 330 right —-

And the orientation.

PM me your full name & mailing address —- I'll send them out N/C.

ALSO...the line roller does not spin or turn or roll — it is made of tungsten-carbide for long life.

ALSO...I see maybe where some of the chrome is missing from the bail wire?  This could cause the line to fray.

ALSO...looks like you are running 12-15 pound mono.  Looks like the spool is over-filled by about 20 yards.  This will cause the line to more easily get caught in wrong places when retrieving or casting.  Particularly in windy conditions.  Just remove about 20 yards.  You will be fine at this point.

Best, Fred

Any chance one of the guides on the rod is cracked/chipped or grooved?

   I see a bent bail , which keeps the arm and roller tipped forward . That caused the line lay to go top heavy .