I have been working on a rod for maybe entering into the casting contest at the ICRBE. Observed something strange yesterday while setting up the guides. Working with a Quantum Catalyst reel in size 10 and spooled with 6 pound test, I worked until I thought I was getting my best distance. Then I got the idea that since a larger reel spool is supposed to afford longer casts, I spooled a Quantum size 20 with 6 pound test and worked with the guides until I got my best distance with that set up. But............ it was LESS than what I got with the smaller size 10 reel! Because I had a Quantum 30 I went ahead and spooled it with 6 pound test and tried getting my best set up on that one. It was even LESS than I got with the size 20 reel.

I know that some companies many years ago went to smaller and longer spools saying it would increase your distance. Now there are companies moving back to larger and shorter spools saying that THOSE increase your distance. My experience so far is that the smaller and longer spools give more distance. Has anyone else made any observations along these lines regarding spool size and casting distance?

Ken,

Inertia is a BAD thing for casting reels. That would be the problem you are running into. With the extra line capacity comes extra mass that needs to be started, and that robs energy from your cast.

For a cylindrical distribution of mass, the moment of inertia varies directly with the mass, and an depends on the square of the radius to the mass. It is for this reason that I contend that wide arbor spools are a poor design, UNLESS they are made from magnesium, as you can save enough mass to have the same moment of inertia with a wide diameter spool.

My best casting reels are the Citica 100dsv and 100b, both low line capacity deeps spool reels with an aluminum spool. Comparing the casting performance of these little reels to their 200 sized brothers, is night and day. The reels I would love to have, but aren't in my budget are the Chronarch Mg50, and some of the Japanese market finesse casting reels.

Your second worst enemy in a casting reel is friction. You can go with some spool bearing upgrades, and super tuning (polishing of critical friction points) to even further enhance your casting performance.

Joe

Ken,
I agree.
However, if you were talking about and testing a spinning reel; I suspect that you would have achieved the opposite results.
I have found that the larger the spinning reel spool, the longer the casting distance.

Take care
Roger

I think Ken is talking about spinning reels. My experience over the years mirrors Ken's, although there is an optimum size spool diameter for the specific line. Your 6 lb test may achieve its best distance on that number 10 reel, but if you move to say, 12 lb test, you may find the size 20 or even 30 does better for you.

...............

Ken,

Sorry for moving off topic a bit, I do see that you are talking spinning reels now. That certainly is an interesting result.

Joe

How does one go about entering the casting competition? I would love to participate if I can.

If spinning reels -- is it not a matter of spool -- face plate size --- that matters ? I mean larger the face plate the larger the Pig Tails ?? is the size of where the line goes really mater ???

Then again is it not best to use a casting reel because the line comes off -Straight - no pig tails to control.

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/28/2009 01:34PM by bill boettcher.

The reel manufacturers have gone back and forth on this - it's a marketing thing. In the mid 80's many companies switched from larger diameter, short spools to smaller diameter, longer spools and touted them as being superior for casting long distances. Some of those same companies have recently gone in reverse, and are now touting larger diameter, shorter spools as being best for distance.

As I said earlier, you'll find that each particular line (diameter, suppleness, etc,) will work best on a specific size spool. If you're setting up for a competition or just want the most possible distance for your fishing needs, you should always try a couple reels with different spool sizes - smaller and larger.

................

OK but will the smaller spool face - have a smaller pig tail - that is easier to control --- if we are talking spin reels. Are we.?? Then again is a casting reel better for casting -Distance ?? No pig tails.

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/28/2009 02:19PM by bill boettcher.

Ken, what is the size of your first guide? Did you switch that? Different spool size may require different butt sized guides for max casting distance.

Mo

Mo, I completely resized and reset all the guides to accommodate the larger reel. I didn't just slap a larger reel onto a guide system that had been set up for a smaller reel. The only thing that remained the same was the final running guies.

Ken. Thanks. Very valuable observations. Much appreciated.

Mo