setting a reel

[kevin o connor]

Hi lads, I am a total novice at all this beach fishing lark. I have a multiplier reel and a rod to suit. I have been told I should be set the reel ready for casting by putting a weight on the line and setting the brake so it does not move until the cast. Does anyone know anything about it and how I should do it. The reel is an ABU Garcia ambassadeur 6500 c3 ct mag.
Thanks in advance.

[fishermannum1]

Hi lads, I am a total novice at all this beach fishing lark. I have a multiplier reel and a rod to suit. I have been told I should be set the reel ready for casting by putting a weight on the line and setting the brake so it does not move until the cast. Does anyone know anything about it and how I should do it. The reel is an ABU Garcia ambassadeur 6500 c3 ct mag.
Thanks in advance.

what some people used to do when they first started using a multiplier was to keep the brakes on full, tie the weight on and hold the rod up with the weight hanging app; two feet below the tip, click it onto free spool and slowly loosen the brakes until your weight slowly dropped down, and when it hit the ground the spool stopped,.
i think that is what this guy was trying to say.
my advice is to ignore all that and just get yourself onto a beach, just set your brakes/mags so the reel is fairly slow and have a few casts to get the feel for the reel, when you start to get the hang of it just loosen the brakes/mags off a bit more, if you spend a bit of time on the beach doing this you will soon get the the hang of it. if you know anyone that uses a multi; then just ask them to give you a few pointers, also if there is any casting clubs near you then i'm sure they would gladly help you out.

[kevin o connor]

That is exactly what he said to do, thanks. I will take your advice and get some practice in. Miust say this multiplier casting is not as easy as it looks

[StevieR]

When you say 'brakes' tightened until the weight slowly drops down, is this the end cap knob? This is not the brake and is for adjusting the side play of the spool.
If you put PVC tape around the spool loaded with line and spin it hard with your hand, adjust the mag setting so the spool stops after about 8-12 secs. This might even be still fast if you are just starting out using multipliers. Basically have the mags on full and get used to the multiplier reel. Once you get used to it you will be able to start with less mag.
If it is still running too fast, lower the line level and/or use thicker oil in the bearings.

[kevin o connor]

When you say 'brakes' tightened until the weight slowly drops down, is this the end cap knob? This is not the brake and is for adjusting the side play of the spool.

Do you mean the knurled knob on the left hand side of the reel ? What is the story with the star knob on under the handle ? I thought that was for rate of play or is that for setting the drag when playing a fish ? Sorry if this seems like a stupid question.

[StevieR]

Yes the star handle is for adjusting the drag when the spool is engaged.

[gerryl]

m8 would follow 'fishermannum1' advice in second post above...but at the start don't try to cast 100yds! (or it will be birds nest time!)...lob yer first few get a feel for the reel and line flow then slowly increase yer distance...best luck...enjoy

[kevin o connor]

Thanks lads, taking it all on board, I think I will have to look for casting lessons, when I have it figured out.

[Kgarr]

I had the same issues about 2 months ago, same Abu reel! The above advice is all you need to get comfortable with it, it does feel a bit awkward at first but you won't even think about it after you've pacticed for a while.
Don't fill the reel completely with line, and don't try to whack it out as far as possible (like I did) until your technique is sound. A birds nest with a multi is a nightmare!!!!
Great reel that Abu.

[Kgarr]

I had the same issues about 2 months ago, same Abu reel! The above advice is all you need to get comfortable with it, it does feel a bit awkward at first but you won't even think about it after you've pacticed for a while.
Don't fill the reel completely with line, and don't try to whack it out as far as possible (like I did) until your technique is sound. A birds nest with a multi is a nightmare!!!!
Great reel that Abu.

[roger de dodger]

how many brake blocks have you got engaged if its a new version mag elite you have six to choose from you could stop a truck with all them

[kevin o connor]

how many brake blocks have you got engaged if its a new version mag elite you have six to choose from you could stop a truck with all them

I don't know. It is the way it came out of the shop, so I assume it has six. How do you find out how many it has ?
It has a slide that goes from 0 to 8. Is that it ?

[kstaff]

Hi Kevin,

pm'd you my number call when you can I'll talk you through it.


Cheers.

[kevin o connor]

Thanks lads, got some really helpful advice here. I have managed to make a few casts without getting big tangles. Now i have another small problem. When I cast, the leader knot catches my thumb at the start of the cast and to put it mildly, it hurts. Is it ok to leave my thumb off the reel until the leader knot has left the reel so it doesn't catch it. Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question.

[StevieR]

I'm not sure what you mean by leaving your thumb off the spool until the leader clears out of the way. You will need to hold on to the spool with your thumb until you're ready to release.
Try a thumby, a short bit of innertube over your thumb (also prevents slippage), and with plenty of turns of shockleader on the spool say 12 or so, or more (not sure how many turns most people use), and tuck the leader knot over to one side away from your thumb.

[kevin o connor]

I do hold the reel by holding my thumb on the line when I cast. I just lift it slightly to release the line on the cast. The leader knot just seems to cut into my thumb when it is turning. Never thought of keeping the knot to one side. Doh. I will try with the piece of inner tube. Thanks.

[mitch]

hi kevin
when your retrieving your line make sure
that your shock leader knot is tucked into
the side of your reel and this will solve your problem

[fishermannum1]

this might help you, when you open the link click on casting tips.
http://people.famouswhy.com/jon_holden/