The following are suggestions to fine-tune your baitcasters. Fine-tuning your baitcaster includes cleaning, lubrication, possible bearing upgrades, and custom drag washers. You can also change the drive-gear ratios and put custom handles if you desire. If your reel feels lethargic when casing, it's time for a lube change. Low-viscosity oils can enable spool speed, allowing more distance. Higher-viscosity oils will slow the spool slightly, possibly preventing fewer backlashes. You want to use the lube that gives you the best distance and control for any given bait or lure used.
First, you should make sure you have a diagram. Next, disassemble the reel on a clean cloth and place the parts in order as they come off the reel. Don't mix your parts from different areas of the reel. Keep everything organized. If you do not have a diagram, go to the reel maker's Web site and down load a copy. Work slow and do not rush. Remove the bearings and soak them in a solvent to remove the grease and dirt and then allow them to dry. If they are worn you may want to replace them or purchase some higher-tech speed parts, both stainless-steel and ceramic replacements are available for most reels. Re-lube the bearings with appropriate oil. Higher-viscosity motor oils (20-50) may be best for spool control with larger reels while 3-1 for smaller reels for maximum spool speed and distance. Be aware that changes in ambient temperature may require you to change viscosities. Rocket Fuel lube is an excellent lubrication that seems to be getting a lot of attention. Rocket Fuel comes in red, yellow and Tournament grades. Red is for larger reels (6500 and larger). Yellow is thinner and is for smaller reels and is used by the speed-and-distance guys.
After lubricatiing and re-assembling the reel, tuning is very specific to your particular tackle, casting style and lure weight. You should be able to cast smoothly to a good distance without using the reel's mechanical cast controls with little thumb control. If you are getting backlashes, re-lube the bearings with heavior oil. If you are getting shorter distance, use a lighter oil. Some bait fishermen like a reel without a levelwind because they cam obtain greater distance. But, if you are using repeated casts with lures it is best to use a levelwind. Oil your levelwind with oil, not greese. You may even want to replace the plastic bushings in the levelwind with true midget ball bearings to improve reel smoothness. You can also put in some custom drive gears to change the retrieve ratio if desired. And lastly, you may want to add a set of Super Smoothie drag washers and a power handle to complete the package.
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