Spinning reel "bump" sensation while retrieving

[MichaelVerdirame]

This week I'm test driving the Pflueger President 30 size spinning reel. It's smooth as silk... except for one annoying issue.

I previously noted this issue in the Avocet II Silver, a $15 reel. Well the President is a $70 reel and, while it's less evident , it's still glaringly there.

I'm talking about a certain "bump" or "clang" that is felt sporadically in the reel while retrieving. It is more noticeable when cranking in heavier lures. It is also more noticeable when cranking at a moderate speed (not slow and not burning fast). No, it is not the action of the lure. No, it is not nibbles from fish. It's a slight bumping sensation coming from the reel itself.

I hope someobody knows what I'm talking about. Is it normal? If it is, I don't think it's acceptable! I have reels from the 1980s that retrieve without this random clang, bump sensation.

 

[Blair]

You may have some bad luck with this one ...

I have a Patriarch and really enjoy it.
Very smooth at all times.

The Presidents are the same model line.

 

[MichaelVerdirame]

You may have some bad luck with this one ...

I have a Patriarch and really enjoy it.
Very smooth at all times.

The Presidents are the same model line.

I'll have to switch it for a different model... man this is strange!

edit: hahah the Patriarch is a $200 reel though ... but still I would expect smooth from a $70 reel :???:

 

[Dugger]

I have had this exact problem over the years and if you are doing any spinner/spinnerbait fishing let alone casting a plug it can drive you NUTTY!!!! Sometimes I have found there is a chip in one of the "cogs" on the drive gear or the oscillating gear or a piece of crap in there, even if the reel is store-fresh. Often reels are "dry" when purchased and need lubed. If that isn't the case, back she goes. How many ball bearings is that reel?

God eh, what an irritant.

 

[MichaelVerdirame]

I have had this exact problem over the years and if you are doing any spinner/spinnerbait fishing let alone casting a plug it can drive you NUTTY!!!! Sometimes I have found there is a chip in one of the "cogs" on the drive gear or the oscillating gear or a piece of crap in there, even if the reel is store-fresh. Often reels are "dry" when purchased and need lubed. If that isn't the case, back she goes. How many ball bearings is that reel?

God eh, what an irritant.

9+1 bearings... http://www.basspro.com/Pflueger-President-6900-Series-Spinning-Reels/product/10213341/196405

It's absolutely redonculous! I am driven nutty... seriously if I get another reel that does this I'm going back to my 1980s swag...

 

[Rain-Bow]

I get the same thing sometimes, but it's when I forget to thread my line through one of the rod guides.

 

[MichaelVerdirame]

I get the same thing sometimes, but it's when I forget to thread my line through one of the rod guides.

It's not the rod, the sensation is coming from the reel itself. I've gotten the same sensation from the Avocet II Silver and it was on a different rod.

I'll triple check everything tomorrow... right now it seems like a reel problem

 

[grubman]

Hey Michael

I think Dugger is right, it's an internal mechanical problem and lack of lubrication. Cut your line off and clip the end onto the spool line keeper, this way you can turn the reel without tangling your line. Or remove the spool completely. Now retreive at the speed you feel the bump and try to look only at the bail. Is the bump happening at the same point when the bail is spinning around? There are alot of moving parts in there and if the line roller on the bail is "bumping" at the same position all the time, it is possible that it could be the bail tripping cam or the spring for it. Did you just buy the reel recently? If so then take it back. If it's past the return period then you'll have to open and inspect the parts. It won't be an easy task, but if you have nothing to lose you might as well try to fix it.

Good luck. Let us know what happens.

 

[MichaelVerdirame]

Hey Michael

I think Dugger is right, it's an internal mechanical problem and lack of lubrication. Cut your line off and clip the end onto the spool line keeper, this way you can turn the reel without tangling your line. Or remove the spool completely. Now retreive at the speed you feel the bump and try to look only at the bail. Is the bump happening at the same point when the bail is spinning around? There are alot of moving parts in there and if the line roller on the bail is "bumping" at the same position all the time, it is possible that it could be the bail tripping cam or the spring for it. Did you just buy the reel recently? If so then take it back. If it's past the return period then you'll have to open and inspect the parts. It won't be an easy task, but if you have nothing to lose you might as well try to fix it.

Good luck. Let us know what happens.

Thanks Jeff, I just bought it yesterday. No doubt about it, it's going back .

I will check to see if it's happening at the same point in the spool oscillation or the line roller spin, good idea!

 

[NADO]

Blair bought a $200 reel :shock: What happened to the die hard Mitchell fan I thought I knew?

 

[Dugger]

*sets Time Machine back to 1983 and uses his beloved Cardinal 3's and 4's* no hassle no fuss lol

 

[MichaelVerdirame]

*sets Time Machine back to 1983 and uses his beloved Cardinal 3's and 4's* no hassle no fuss lol

What is sad is that I have my grandfather's old Abu Cardinal 4 spinning reel in mint condition. I'm not letting myself use it., i'd rather keep it mint and pass it down as a collector's item.

I took the sh!tty pflueger out again today to see if there was any regularity with the "bumps". From what I can tell, they're random.

 

[Dugger]

What is sad is that I have my grandfather's old Abu Cardinal 4 spinning reel in mint condition. I'm not letting myself use it., i'd rather keep it mint and pass it down as a collector's item.

I took the sh!tty pflueger out again today to see if there was any regularity with the "bumps". From what I can tell, they're random.

greattttttt, nothing worse than a "randon bump".... doesn;t that make it worse? the "not knowing"? lol

I am shuddering pondering the "bump" and how that would affect the execution of the craft


Crack that "4" my friend, let the angels sing and a golden light bathe you as you open the box lol!!! .... in the 90s they went for hundreds, now, mint, they go for 80 bucks...... why not enjoy a "bump-free" day lol

 

[MichaelVerdirame]

I am shuddering pondering the "bump" and how that would affect the execution of the craft

LOL, normally I would be OK with it... but it's NOT acceptable on a brand new $70 reel

I've used the C4 on a trip before, so the box is open and it's spooled ... actually I don't have the box or spare spool unfortunately. So it would sell for less...

 

[Blair]

Blair bought a $200 reel :shock: What happened to the die hard Mitchell fan I thought I knew?

lol...
I got it (Patriarch) for a birthday present last fall! They are "owned" by the same company (Jarden - Pure Fishing Canada) anyways.

They own:

Abu Garcia® - Brand Website
All Star Rods® - Brand Website
Berkley® - Brand Website
Fenwick® - Brand Website
Hodgman® - Brand Website
Johnson® - Brand Website
JRC® - Brand Website
Mitchell® - Brand Website
PENN® - Brand Website
Pflueger® - Brand Website
Sebile® - Brand Website
Shakespeare® - Brand Website
Spiderwire® - Brand Website
Stren® - Brand Website


I also have a:

Cardinal Albi 503 - Love it

Quantum Resource - Love it

Older Shimano 4000 - Love it


some smaller Shimano's, another Quantum ... and some Spin Caster's.



I still firmly believe that a good reel in the $80-120 range does me quite well. (Get em on sale for 1/2 off and thats a steal!)
If the drag is good, and everthing is made of strong materials (Not cheap plastic or white metal) ... then the performance is great.

(As long as your also using the recommended line etc)


* I also recieved a REVO ($250+) and exvhanged it for a store credit.

It was a great reel, but since I also had the Patriarch, felt I didnt need to have 2 "higher" end reels. Not needed.




We all know the "SKYs the LIMIT" when it comes ot our toys.

However, I have never felt at a "Dissadvantage" when sticking to the Medium- Good range of products.



My biggest COMPLAINT of the past 10-15 years is these CARBON GRAPHITE RODS.

Love the lightness ... but sure have noticed they have a tendancy to SNAP/BREAK. Even a small "fracture" brings down the best of them.



More so than a REEL, I would recommend getting a good rod that has a DECENT WARRANTY (Doesnt have to be lifetime).

*What counts is the access to service (Exchange) and ease of replacement.

That's worth paying a couple bucks more for.

 

[NADO]

Wow this sounds like an all new Blair!

Ill have a stella some day...lol

 

[Blair]

Wow this sounds like an all new Blair!

Ill have a stella some day...lol

Shimano Stella SW 10000 PG "ARB" Spinning Reel



Just ordered you one!

Should only be about 10 days for delivery.....

C $1,090.58+C $30.29T

 

[grubman]

I took the sh!tty pflueger out again today to see if there was any regularity with the "bumps". From what I can tell, they're random.

My best guess is that something came loose or was not installed properly, it's a manufacturing defect. If you firmly hold the reel and give it a good shake do you hear anything rattling? Shake it in one axis then another. It could also be one of the bearings is no good. With so many moving parts it's difficult to track it down.
The only reels I've had any real problems with are the Quantum/Zebco the E3 spinning reel @$70. It is off my list for life. I bought Mitchell Avocet II (1/2 the price of the Quantum E3), Browning ultra light (1/3 the price), Eagle Claw (1/3), Rapala (1/2) and they all performed better then Quantum. The Quantum's drag knob stripped the threads the first day out fishing. I could'nt return it b/c I got it at the Toronto Sportsman Show. Everything there is as is.

Take it back and demand a replacement. I'm pretty sure Bass Pro will be decent with their returns, and customer satisfaction. Best of luck.

 

[sunny14]

I also think you got a "Bad Reel" and there's an Interior Mechanical Problem.

I read a lot of the Reviews on Bass Pro and couldn't find a bad one.

IF we're talking about the same Reel. Your Link took me to the 6900 Series at $49.95 to $59.95.

I'd take it back for sure!!

I also have my "Original Spinning Reel". The Cardinal 4. It still performs like it jut came out of the box. If not better now that it's "Worn In".

Maybe one of the reasons is that I ENJOY tearing them down, cleaning and lubbing them up with CLEAN Grease. Usually White Lithium.

I also have a section on My Computer for "Reel Schematics". Dozens Of Them! Including my Favourite BIG FISH REEL (OLD!) Penn 209M

I have the schematics just in case I have a part Left Over after assembly :grin: .

If anyone is interested the site I get them from is "reelschemics.com". (That's not supose to be a LINK but it MIGHT show up as one.)

Your Reel came up on here somewhere else so the next time I was there I Downloaded the Schematic. for it. I have to split the diagram from the Parts list as thy are quite large.

I downsized it even more and it's attached below.

By The Way!! Does anyone know what "global upload quota" means? I looked everywhere in HELP but couldn't find it.

When I reach 4.88MB's that's it? I can't download any more attachments? I Hope Not!!

It's a good way to pass on Information to other Menbers here!

EDIT: Okay You Talked Me Into It!! :grin: Here's The LINK to The Site

http://www.reelschematic.com/

Rick

 

[MichaelVerdirame]

I'm going to be switching it up with... something... else today or tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes!