Quote Originally Posted by Lee View Post
With my first baitcaster (Ambassador 5500 in 1974) came a booklet with instructions for setting the tension knob and directions for casting properly. Followed the instructions and have not had a problem. So, I recommend reading the booklet that comes with your new reel.
Man that takes me back, Lee!

I was 12 in 1974 and one weekend when my dad was out of town my brother and I stole his baitcasting rod that had an Ambassaror 5500 on it and took it out to Elkhorn Creek so we could learn how to throw it.

Dad had showed us how to set the tension knob. He said it was set perfect when your bait would freespool fall about a foot from the end of your rod, then stop.

We put a nice and heavy Lazy Ike on so it would be easy to cast and got in a deep pool. Couple hours and 29,898 backlashes later, we could call ourselves novices. We actually caught a fish or two as well.

Dad never figured out what happened to all the line on his favorite reel.