Level Wind during the cast ?

[Bud Kennedy]

a recent post on Facebook from Bo James reminded me to ask a question about reels that have an operating level wind on the outbound cast.  On my Lew's reels the level wind system is inactive during the cast and only operates on the retrieve.  My question is...Are there any modern day reels that has an active level wind on the outbound cast?  I cite Bo's explanation that it would make the reel much more effective for braid use and help control some of the backlash actions.

[Tavery5]

Lots of round reels still use non-disengaging level wind systems.  Don't know if they help reduce any backlash or not, but I do know that it certainly reduces casting distance.   These types of reels require that the energy of the cast not only move the spool but also the associated gearing to drive the level wind system.

[merc1997]

using braid on a bait caster, the braid tends to want to jump over itself on the cast with reels that disengage the level wind during the cast, and it increases backlashing a bunch.  i have has many fish with me using braid on the newer reels, and they have lots of backlash issues, and always ask why i do not have the back lashing issues.  i still use the old 5500c3's.  the level wind goes back and forth on the cast and the line does not jump over itself on the cast, and this is important when using braid.  it really cuts down on the backlashing issues.  all of my close friends that fish with me have all gone back to the 5500c3's to use with their braid.  i tried one of my buddy's new lews to see why he was backlashing every cast.  it was a problem for me also.  i handed him one of my rods, and he never had one backlash the rest of the trip.  he dug out his old 5500's when we got back home.

monofilament and fluorocarbon do not tend to have grabbing action when they come up over itself when it has to cross the spool to go out the reel guide and therefore work well with reels that disengage the level wind on the cast.

just what i have experienced and observed in dealing with braid.

bo

[LgMouthGambler]

Not too many current reels use that. I know that my TD Fuego has the levelwind that moves while line is being pulled out with the drag. Moving levelwind while on the cast seems to hinder performance. Not needed unless maybe tossing big weights for deep ocean fishing.

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[Pferox]

Most heavy weight reels for ocean fishing don't have level winds.  That is what thumbs are for.

Oh waitaminnit, you mean the medium weight ones.  Yea most of those don't disconnect the level wind, but most of them aren't meant for casting far, since they are used for trolling a lot.

The more discussions about braid I see, the more I am in the belief that it was designed for spinning gear and works best on a fixed spool reel.

[West6550]

I don't have issues with my braid at all on my Lews and I fish braid 99% of the time. The only time I ever have an issue is because user error. Like I forgot to set the brakes or tossed it to hard.

I bet the round reel users are tossing them to harshly and making back lashes. I say that from experience as that is where I came from to Lews.

[rockchalk06]

I don't have issues with my braid at all on my Lews and I fish braid 99% of the time. The only time I ever have an issue is because user error. Like I forgot to set the brakes or tossed it to hard.

I bet the round reel users are tossing them to harshly and making back lashes. I say that from experience as that is where I came from to Lews.

Of all the lines I have used on BC's, braid is by far the eaisest to control. Especially over time. I have several rigs that don't get used as often as they should. I have 40# braid on my cranking setup that has been on their for 4 years now. Still no memory in the line. Fluoro is like bathing a feral cat. Mono is smooth, supple and great except for the 3-4 feet of stretch that I cannot stand when fishing. After a few months the coils from memory are worse than Fluoro.

Like you West, the only time I have problems with braid on the cast is when I pull a boner and try and buggy whip the cast, forget I have thumbs or cast into the wind with no breaks.

I only have one rig I don't use Braid on. Thats my Swim Jig rig. I make 40-50 yard casts with it and they have to be precise. With the Oklahoma wind, braid acts like a sail when I cast, Fluoro does not. I stretch it and treat it (12#) before every outting. Its a love hate relationship.

[cojab]

I don't have issues with my braid at all on my Lews and I fish braid 99% of the time. The only time I ever have an issue is because user error. Like I forgot to set the brakes or tossed it to hard.

I bet the round reel users are tossing them to harshly and making back lashes. I say that from experience as that is where I came from to Lews.

I get backlash on my braid and Lews more often when I don't toss hard enough?? Usually when I'm trying to kind of finesse a cast into a tight spot or an in between cast. To long to pitch it but to short for a full cast. 

[LgMouthGambler]

Like you West, the only time I have problems with braid on the cast is when I pull a boner and try and buggy whip the cast, forget I have thumbs or cast into the wind with no breaks.

This wins post of the day. 

[West6550]

This wins post of the day. 

Lmao.. boner and a whip.. lolol

[West6550]

I get backlash on my braid and Lews more often when I don't toss hard enough?? Usually when I'm trying to kind of finesse a cast into a tight spot or an in between cast. To long to pitch it but to short for a full cast. 

Okay I see what you mean. Those can be tricky. If I am going to do a bunch of shorter range or flippin I typically increase the centrifugal brakes a notch. Same when skipping under a dock. Certain casts are just harder on a reel of any kind. Especially ones that are on a setting to sling it far swapping to a shorter cast.

I typically slighty adjust my mag brakes but if that doesn't work and I am going to do a lot of it I click a cen brake or two.

[LgMouthGambler]

Okay I see what you mean. Those can be tricky. If I am going to do a bunch of shorter range or flippin I typically increase the centrifugal brakes a notch. Same when skipping under a dock. Certain casts are just harder on a reel of any kind. Especially ones that are on a setting to sling it far swapping to a shorter cast.

I typically slighty adjust my mag brakes but if that doesn't work and I am going to do a lot of it I click a cen brake or two.

Yep, if you got dual braking, crank that mag brake up. Mag brakes help the end of the cast, and thats where skipping and short casts are more prone to overrun.