Shimano Speedmaster Fightin Star (TSM IIC FS)

[Jamesgoesfishing]

Gents - just got an old Shimano Speedmaster Fightin Star (TSM IIC FS) secondhand. Have a couple of questions:
1) What is the purpsoe of the fightin star? Mine seems to have 2 star drag setting and you kind of click from one to another - but there is limited difference between the strength of the drag - Please can someone advise
2) It was crusted in salt, so I stripped it down for a clean and oil. It has come up great, but not sure if I got the handle assembly back on correctly - picture attached if that helps.....

Thanks guys, the TSM looks like a great reel. But very fast. I fit it with 2 large Slosh 30 brakes, thinking I might need to run with grease in the bearings.

Cheers

James

[Juliogeordio]

James, I have the same reel mate. It's over 20yrs old but still can easily outcast my penn 515 mag2.... Brilliant reels if looked after. The older models were made from metal and were better built then the slightly newer one which had a few plastic parts. They do tend to run very fast though! As for the fighting star... I've never really used mine but I think it was just the drag system for the reel... Someone else might know a bit better though.

[Jamesgoesfishing]

Thanks for the note - excited now to give the reel a cast.

In terms of my handle setup - does it look the same as yours? I am wondering if I got the washer in the wrong place (the one next to the handle). Cheers James

[Juliogeordio]

Thanks for the note - excited now to give the reel a cast.

In terms of my handle setup - does it look the same as yours? I am wondering if I got the washer in the wrong place (the one next to the handle). Cheers James

Erm... I think so. I would need to get the reel out and physically check though but at first glance it seems fine....

[Bushwhacker]

They are great casting reels if you can handle them.A lot of lads mag them up.
The one thing to watch for is the spool,which is very light cast ally.They can shatter if too much pressure is put on them.
The fighting drag is so you don,t have to turn the star wheel loads of turns when you want use the drag.
Loosen the outer ring,then loosen the star till the spool gives at the pressure you want.Tighten the outer ring back to the star.Now tighten the star till the spool doesn,t give.
When you want to use the drag just turn the star around 1/4 turn and the spool will give at the desired pressure.When set up properly its much like a lever drag.
It would be easier for someone who knows the reel to show you rather than trying to explain it here.

[nunthorpe mag]

Used EP90 on the bearings to slow them down worked a treat

[Juliogeordio]

Used EP90 on the bearings to slow them down worked a treat

Got rocket fuel on mine hence the reason it out casts most other reels lol

[hound hunter]

Cracking reels n very desirable,can fetch a few quid in good nick
Had one myself yrs ago,till some one nicked it
Fast but very well made reels,like mentioned they cast great,why not mag it buddy,would give more control,if not just use a thicker oil to tame the beast

[CHUKKA]

The spools are very brittle. I've seen stronger egg shells!

[hound hunter]

The spools are very brittle. I've seen stronger egg shells!

They must be weak then lol,it's that long since I had mine,can't remembersaying that had one or two reels since the speedy !!.

[Juliogeordio]

They must be weak then lol,it's that long since I had mine,can't remembersaying that had one or two reels since the speedy !!.

Like I've already mentioned, the initial reels build quality was excellent... Nothing wrong with the spool at all on the reel I've got. Think the following ones started to be more mass produced an the quality dropped.

[CHUKKA]

Like I've already mentioned, the initial reels build quality was excellent... Nothing wrong with the spool at all on the reel I've got. Think the following ones started to be more mass produced an the quality dropped.

Its funny that, I had one many moons ago when they first came out and bust 3 spools in as many months before getting rid. I used them mainly in the tyne when you used to get a good run of codlings in the 1-3lb range.Excellent casting reels but the spools were just too light. As soon as you get a decent chuck and put pressure on the spool by winding in 18 or 20lb line and a fish on spools just shatter. Tbh I was experiencing the same problem with slosh 20s . I used to love them but it would be frustrating fishing bog hall and like when fish were well out. Anyone who fishes there will know there are bands of kelp and ledges so you cant stop winding, this is what causes the pressure to build. I used to run my sloshes overfilled with a tiny white block and they used to fly, the problem is the more line thats out the more stress on the spool. The spool would often take the left sideplate out at the same time.

[himself26]

The drag assembly looks to be wrong m8.. here's a couple of pix if you follow the assembly from the star drag left to right that the order in which it goes back together.....





Hope this helps.

[Juliogeordio]

Its funny that, I had one many moons ago when they first came out and bust 3 spools in as many months before getting rid. I used them mainly in the tyne when you used to get a good run of codlings in the 1-3lb range.Excellent casting reels but the spools were just too light. As soon as you get a decent chuck and put pressure on the spool by winding in 18 or 20lb line and a fish on spools just shatter. Tbh I was experiencing the same problem with slosh 20s . I used to love them but it would be frustrating fishing bog hall and like when fish were well out. Anyone who fishes there will know there are bands of kelp and ledges so you cant stop winding, this is what causes the pressure to build. I used to run my sloshes overfilled with a tiny white block and they used to fly, the problem is the more line thats out the more stress on the spool. The spool would often take the left sideplate out at the same time.

Never had an issue at all with mine mate. My dad also has one that is still up and running in good nick. Both reels have landed plenty of sized fish and no cracks or damage to the spool what so ever. As mentioned, the older ones were defo built better and ours are both some of the original models.... Never been a pick of both at all. My dad landed a 14lb cod off shields pier a good few years back and the reel still runs well.... Run with 20lb line on mine and my dad has the sligty larger version and fished 30-35lb straight though. Not sure if they altered what the spool was made of at some point?

[TerryC]

The Speedmaster Fighting Star series of reels were originally designed for boat fishing. The drag system is a hybrid between a lever and star drag system. It allows you to preset the drag to the correct value for the line class you are using, you should hear a "click" when the spring loaded ball bearing gets to the notch in the clutch pressure ring. The IIC FS was a devlopment of the smallest reel in the family (the III, IV and V reels have no optional braking system)and was in response to requests from UK shore anglers if I remember correctly. The early reels were "cold forged" and this produced very strong and accurate frames which gives the reel its "fast" reputation even with outboard bearings.

Looking at your picture I think the clutch may have been assembled incorrectly, if you want I will take a look at it for you, just PM me if you want.

I have 4 speedmasters myself. Two with "C" and two without -these are mono mag converted. If you stick with the reel I would suggest a mono mag conversion, about £15 from Blackdog tackle, they make the reel much easier to control.

The reel design is still used by Shimano - have as look at a Trinidad TN12 it is almost identical.

Enjoy !

TC