Dear Reelmeister:

[Jennie@ifish]

I have two reels to send you, and I was wondering what you prefer.
Do I need to take the line off of both reels before I send them in?

Thanks,
Jen


Also, Reelmeister has a new column, if you'd like a question answered, either shortly, or in detail, you can post it to this board. He knows a lot about reels!

Jen
Click here for Reel Talk! (http://www.ifish.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=forum;f=33)

[reelmeister]

Hi Jen,
I actually prefer reels to have line on them if possible. Lots of times people send me reels with casting problems, and it makes it easier for me to diagnose what is going on. I'll mount the reel on a PWT rod and fling a spoon (hookless of course) outside the reelmeister shop a few times. That way we can often determine the nature of a problem before teardown even begins.
Tuning a reel after a service is also made easier with line already on, since I like to do a real casting and drag performance test once everything is buttoned up before it gets sent out.


Al

[Bluebird]

Dear Jen,

I clicked on your hot link for Reelmaster as I had a question for him and was unauthorized to play?

Reelmaster,

I would like to know your personal preference on quality Steelhead and Salmon Reels?

I have made a considerable investment in ABU 5501 C3, 6501 C3, and 6501 C4's. After this awesome year of fishing I probably need to send them all to you for maintenance.

The reason for my inquiry is that I am planning on purchasing four new Steelhead reels for this winter. The Abu Garcia reels are probably not the right reels for my application as they do not seem to be holding up as I had orginally hoped. However, I am not opposed to the product as again I have several.

Thanks

[salmurai]

Bluebird. Where's your story? C'mon now, don't be shy. It's tradition......

[reelmeister]

Hi Bluebird,
The reels you mention are generally trouble free if properly maintained. We can fix them up for you pronto so they'll work like a charm. A lot of my customers are going to low profile bass-type reels for steelhead, and that may be another option to consider. Check out the ReelMeister web site, we have several reels for sale now including a couple of nice low-profile reels you may find to your liking. You can click on the link below to get the web site.

And don't forget your inaugural story. It's tradition. :smile:

Al

[steelheadslayer]

Reelmeister,

I'm just curious as to which types of grease or lubricants you recommend or use on reels. I've heard a lot of good things about rocket fuel and was wondering what your feelings are of it.

Thanks, SS

[reelmeister]

Hello SS,
You must be clairevoyant-my newest Reel Talk article is about lubricating reels! Article to be posted tomorrow, I just need to finish up the pictures.

To answer your question, Rocket Fuel is good stuff. I don't think it is going to solve any problems that exist in a reel that prevent it from casting properly, however. It's also quite expensive, and doesn't have the best anticorrosion properties as far as I know.
But for maximum casting distance, it's tough to beat.
Hope that helps,

Al

[reelmeister]

Jen, fly reels are fine, as long as they aren't oddball antiques.

FW, the Calais is a nice reel indeed. We do work on them, but I will point out that Shimano will generally do minor maintenance for free on those reels if you send it to them. Since they have 10 or 11 bearings, they are quite labor intensive to service and we have to charge a bit more than our usual labor rate for working on them.

Thanks for the inquiries,

Al

[Jennie@ifish]

Hi Reel,

Hey, I am sending you a fly reel. I hope that is alright. You do work on them, don't you?
Thanks for the advice. They'll be to you, soon.

Cheers-

And by the way, all Pro boards on ifish are read only. Feel free to ask questions here, or on e mail.

Jen

[Fast Water]

Reelmeister,

Do you service the Shimano Calais reel? I have a 201-5 that I have kept lubed but probably needs a through cleaning and inspection.

Thanks.


:smile:

[Bluebird]

Thanks Reelmeister.

After some serious surfing and shopping yesterday it appears that I may need to jump up to Calcutta's someday. :tongue: For now I am sticking w/ABU Garcia. I will send you some business this year.

Ok, here is my story.

I have been fishing off an on ever since I was a kid. My dad used to take us fishing for Salmon, Trout, and Steelhead but bless his soul, we never did real good.

It wasn't until about seven years ago, the company I was working for would contract out to Kelly Short each year and we would take customers out fishing. This included Oversize up at Bonneville, Buoy 10, Tillamook Bay, Salmon River, etc. Of course we caught fish. Back then I knew that this was something I wanted to learn as this was alot of fun.

About five years ago my best friend's dad passed away and left him a 22' Alumaweld. They were big Sturgeon fisherman and another buddy from High school and I got him into Salmon fishing. Him and I have fishied together ever since.

About three years ago, my neighbor, his fishing buddy and I started fishing together. They are avid fisherman and we all share a common ground, addicted to fishing. We have spent alot of good times fishing the local waterways, tidewater, and the bays with much success. Let me tell ya...

Last year I bought property up at Lake Billy Chinook and the lot came with a boat. This was the uglist boat you have ever seen, a Gold Metal flake 79 Glastron Tri-Hull with 85 & 6hp matching Johnsons that ran great. We fixed it up and got it running and fished it last fall and this spring with much sucess.

Went to the Sportsman Show last February, had a few PBR's and ended up having to order a new boat. I honestly can say it was instigated by my fiance. By the way she is almost as addicted to fishing as I am. She normally catches all of the fish, I just hold one hand on the Trolling Motor and pretty much the other on the Net for her fish. Once in a while she'll let me reel in one of her fish. Just kidding, It's really not that bad. :cheers:

Back to the new boat. I now have a 19' North River Scout with a 200Hp V-Max, 8 Hp Kicker, Diamond Plate everywhere possible, well almost... According to Chris down at North River, a good man by the way, this was the first 200hp outboard motor they have ever put on a 19' or smaller sled. Let me tell ya, it's sweet. I know Blah, Blah, Blah..... graemlins/program.gif

Anyway it has been a fun couple of years and I find myself wanting to get more and more into it. Come on Springer Fishing......

Best Regards,
Bluebird