Bait casting reel issues

syd · 02-18-09, 01:42 PM

Yesterday i was looking at reels in Gander Mountain. The sales guy there was telling me that no matter how many bearings a reel is said to have ony a maximum of 6 are actually in the reel. The rest are in the reel winding handle. Basically he said if the reel advertises 8 onyl 5-6 are actually in the reel. If this is so why even buy a reel based on the number of bearings it has. Can anyone confirm this. I was looking for the Quantum KVd reel which they don't have.

bassackwards · 02-18-09, 01:46 PM

thats a good question i don't know but not taken mine apart to find out

Raul · 02-18-09, 03:01 PM

True, the most bearings a BC has inside is 7, the rest are in the handle knobs, for example an 8 bearing reel has at least 1 bearing per knob and 6 inside.

Bearing count matters ? depends, the most important ones casting performance wise are the spool supporting bearings ( 1 -2 ), the rest only make the reel smoother operating.

So a 1 bearing reel is not that bad if that bearing is quality made ( my old Abus XLT Plus series had only 1 bearing, spool supporting bearing ) and even after more than 2 decades of use and abuse they still perform great, and 1 good quality bearing in the right place is better than 10 El Cheapo all over the reel.

aikenyounggun · 02-18-09, 03:01 PM

dont always base it of number of bearings.... just speed and what you have heard about it and what you are going to use in on.... dont use a 7:3 for shaky head

syd · 02-18-09, 03:15 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I was looking at reels and this kind of struck me as something to look into.
My poor Phlueger took a beating Saturday as about 20 smallmouth took it on. Just about my best trip ever. Had one 19 and 2 18's. The rest were between 13-16. Took yesterday off and went again. Got 7 but they shut down around lunch. No really big ones. But i am looking at buying a new bait caster and checked out Gander Mountain. I want to stay around 100- or so and the higher dollar reels tend to have 8 or more bearings. Now that i know that it is a myth i will know better what to look for. Any suggestions.

wareagledc · 02-18-09, 03:46 PM

Revo revo revo

Cheech · 02-18-09, 05:16 PM

I'd say the new Citica is a good choice in that range too. I love mine.

Revos are good too.

Bubba_Bruiser · 02-18-09, 05:25 PM

I gotta go with the Citica. I have thrown the revos, and the are smooth, but I can't vouch for the durability. They might be awesome reels, but I have only threw my buddies a few times.

mont_lunker_hunter · 02-18-09, 05:28 PM

I recently purchased aftermarket bearings for my citicas and curados. The new ones are 10 balls per bearing and are EXTREMELY fast and smooth. They are so fast that I have my controls set as tight as i can get them and I still have some backlash.

BigBassin144 · 02-18-09, 05:57 PM

I never take the number of bearing into consideration. It is true that only 6-7 are actually in the reel. One thing to consider is the quality of the bearings though. I beleive Shimano uses better quality bearings than most companies, but generally, they have less in their reels.

BB

mont_lunker_hunter · 02-18-09, 06:35 PM

I believe most shimano's atleast the late 90's early 00's bearings are rated ABEC 3.

02-18-09, 01:42 PM	#1
syd BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Rocky Mount Va Posts: 127	Bait casting reel issues Yesterday i was looking at reels in Gander Mountain. The sales guy there was telling me that no matter how many bearings a reel is said to have ony a maximum of 6 are actually in the reel. The rest are in the reel winding handle. Basically he said if the reel advertises 8 onyl 5-6 are actually in the reel. If this is so why even buy a reel based on the number of bearings it has. Can anyone confirm this. I was looking for the Quantum KVd reel which they don't have.

02-18-09, 03:01 PM	#4
aikenyounggun BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: aiken, SC Posts: 2,051	dont always base it of number of bearings.... just speed and what you have heard about it and what you are going to use in on.... dont use a 7:3 for shaky head __________________ <>< Rather be Fishing ><>

02-18-09, 05:25 PM	#8
Bubba_Bruiser BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South MS Posts: 3,659	I gotta go with the Citica. I have thrown the revos, and the are smooth, but I can't vouch for the durability. They might be awesome reels, but I have only threw my buddies a few times. __________________ \,,,,/ ROCK ON! HRN4L!

02-18-09, 05:28 PM	#9
mont_lunker_hunter BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Monticello, Arkansas Posts: 371	I recently purchased aftermarket bearings for my citicas and curados. The new ones are 10 balls per bearing and are EXTREMELY fast and smooth. They are so fast that I have my controls set as tight as i can get them and I still have some backlash. __________________ Politics is like pleasing a woman, one slip of the tongue and ur in a world of s**t.

02-18-09, 05:57 PM	#10
BigBassin144 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 9,463	I never take the number of bearing into consideration. It is true that only 6-7 are actually in the reel. One thing to consider is the quality of the bearings though. I beleive Shimano uses better quality bearings than most companies, but generally, they have less in their reels. BB __________________ As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com!

02-18-09, 01:46 PM	#2
bassackwards BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: hampton va Posts: 408	thats a good question i don't know but not taken mine apart to find out

02-18-09, 03:01 PM	#3
Raul BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,030	True, the most bearings a BC has inside is 7, the rest are in the handle knobs, for example an 8 bearing reel has at least 1 bearing per knob and 6 inside. Bearing count matters ? depends, the most important ones casting performance wise are the spool supporting bearings ( 1 -2 ), the rest only make the reel smoother operating. So a 1 bearing reel is not that bad if that bearing is quality made ( my old Abus XLT Plus series had only 1 bearing, spool supporting bearing ) and even after more than 2 decades of use and abuse they still perform great, and 1 good quality bearing in the right place is better than 10 El Cheapo all over the reel.

02-18-09, 03:15 PM	#5
syd BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Rocky Mount Va Posts: 127	Thanks for the feedback. I was looking at reels and this kind of struck me as something to look into. My poor Phlueger took a beating Saturday as about 20 smallmouth took it on. Just about my best trip ever. Had one 19 and 2 18's. The rest were between 13-16. Took yesterday off and went again. Got 7 but they shut down around lunch. No really big ones. But i am looking at buying a new bait caster and checked out Gander Mountain. I want to stay around 100- or so and the higher dollar reels tend to have 8 or more bearings. Now that i know that it is a myth i will know better what to look for. Any suggestions.

02-18-09, 03:46 PM	#6
wareagledc BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: alabama Posts: 273	Revo revo revo

02-18-09, 05:16 PM	#7
Cheech BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 4	I'd say the new Citica is a good choice in that range too. I love mine. Revos are good too.

02-18-09, 06:35 PM	#11
mont_lunker_hunter BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Monticello, Arkansas Posts: 371	I believe most shimano's atleast the late 90's early 00's bearings are rated ABEC 3. __________________ Politics is like pleasing a woman, one slip of the tongue and ur in a world of s**t.

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