Levelwind ?

[Persues]

I learned multiplier casting on a Mitchel 602 (no levelwind, or brakes for that matter) but I prefer levelwind multipliers for fishing.

Every time I visit the USA and Canada I see far more levelwind reels being used, and some of the beach fishermen are putting some serious distance out with their levelwind reels.

I can cast a big bait a long way with an Abu 7000C Syncro (with levelwind) and it makes a great workhorse reel for most fishing scenarios here in the UK. It can do boat, rough or clean shore, and fishing in the dark is a breeze when you don't have to invest any thought into controlling line lay yourself when retrieving.

I know that thumbing the line onto the spool becomes second nature to the point where you no longer even think about it when retrieving and I have non-levelwind multipliers, but I much prefer them with levelwind.

I've fished next to chaps with CT mags and rockets who weren't getting as far as me with my old 7000 Syncro and I recently fished alongside a guy who was using a levelwind Abu 7500 and he could really throw with it.

I think you can learn to cast well with either, and I think the greater distance a non-levelwind reel is potentially capable of is more or less academic in real world fishing, although it would make itself more obvious in tournament casting.

This is something I've been bouncing around in my head since coming back to see fishing and gearing up for it. I bought a couple of SL30SH reels and I'll probably be ditching them - they sit too high for my liking and I don't feel they offer me anything that I need that I can't achieve with reels I am more comfortable with.

The Penn reels look a little closer to my liking since, despite the lack of levelwind , they sit lower on the rod.

I realise this is entirely subjective and based almost entirely on personal preference but I just wondered what you folks think about this over here.

 

[lambtonworm]

Levelwinds have there place on boats but unless your fishing short should never outcast a reel without one,the 7000`s levelwind is connected direct to the spool and causes resistance when casting,slightly suprised that guys with ct reels were being outcast by a levelwind,it comes second nature to use your thumb to guide line back on so no need for a levelwind in my opinion,but thats all it is personally id be asking questions of my ct rocket if it was being outcast by a abu 7000 ...

 

[Persues]

The point I was trying to make is that a faster reel (Rocket, Mag Elite et al) is only going to cast better than any other reel if the caster takes the time and effort to learn to handle it.

Big distances are possible with a levelwind reel.

Bigger distances are possible with a non-levelwind real.

"Possible" is the key word here.

 

[harry barker]

I've got a toolbox full of cut-off levelwinds from all abu 65s and 7000s,I've used multipliers for as long as I can remember and the first thing I did was to cut the levelwind off.
The levelwind lays the line on the spool but I can lay the line on much better by hand...even at nignt.
The levelwind causes problems when using a shock-leader the knot can catch in the winder when spinning off the spool.
I much prefer to move the shock-leader knot well away to the right side of the spool before casting...cant do that with level-wind
Because the levelwind in in the area of the spool it's ni on impossible to get your thumb over the spool for a good grip before casting.
And as been said there's more mechanical movement within the reel when casting out that will reduce distance.
Because you see someone with a 65ct being outcast with 7000levelwind This is down to the caster not the reel.

 

[codcatcher3000]

the slosh will serve its purpose in the right situation. so will each reel. having a converted 6500 cs mag, I can only say that its much more suited now for sending baits out far on a clean beach than for what i was using for previously with the level wind one which was for short lobs/scratching. the spool speed is amazing. a lot of folk on roker do use cs reel for maccy bashing etc in the summer. i think that u shud use whats comfortable for u . if u want a reel that sits low try the abu tsr or a ptech/qtc cage.

 

[arc]

As Harry says one of the main problems with a level wind is being able to get a good grip on the spool . Once someone has built a decent technique and is able to apply the power for the occasions when a long cast is required it becomes very hard to lock the spool down with a levelwind in place as it restricts how far you can get your thumb over the spool , even if your using a thumbie or a rubber strip for better grip , spool slip is still a problem .

 

[g.ordon]

The level winds I've tried (not mine like as I wouldn't dream of having a one) lay the line back s***e especially at the spool sides, much better doing it manually and then you can get it spot on with a bit of practice.

 

[Persues]

I used to have a Mag Elite and Rocket, without levelwind, and I got on really well with them, especially the Rocket.

I'm not against levelwind reels in any way - I've just become very comfortable fishing a 7000C Syncro and my Akios, which is basically a 7000 (with levelwind) clone.

I've put a wanted add in the trading post section for a Mag Elite and Rocket, or a Blue Yonder, just to revisit those models and see how I get along with them. I may have one of my 6500C3 reels converted to non-levelwind in the short term to see how I feel about it, and I recently got a mint 6500C3 CT Mag Hi Speed from a member on here for a mate of mine, so I guess I could borrow it for a few days and see how things pan out.

On a personal note I never seem to have any trouble locking the spool with my thumb for casting using a levelwind reel but, again, this is all down to how individuals get along with their kit.

Basically I understand the reasons why folks stay away from levelwinds but I've gotten used to handling my 7000 and Akios and I can throw a goodly way with them, so I'm happy

Whatever works is OK in my book, but a levelwind doesn't necessarily mean short casts and a super-fast reel won't guarantee long ones.

 

[mad john]

I started with a mitchel 600 no levelwind and fished multis for years. last year got a abu ambasidor with a levelwind. this was a gift and the first reel i have had with a levelwind. over winter fished with the abu and found i can cast just as far. but the big advantage is the reduced number of birds nests. like most i was sceptical but i am happy with a levelwind. i don't try to cast over the horizon on every cast. just over the breakers or into the gully. put the bait ware the fish are not just as far from you as you can.

 

[lambtonworm]

Think i now get what your saying but the facts still remain in the hands of a good caster casting a 6500 and a 7000 with levelwind he will always put the 6500 noticably further,because of the reel gearing set up thats always going to happen,you may well be able to lock the spool with the levelwind on but modern pendulum and off the ground casts with powerful rods generate a lot of power and this would be near impossible to control without getting your whole thumb wrapped round the spool,i think its a case of what your happy with but a look round when your fishing may suggest your in a minority when it comes to levelwinds ....

 

[eddie t]

What gets me is why do lads need to hit it as far as they can ya dont need to thats why the lads with the ct mag and rocket might of been getting out cast by a lads using a level wind reels the lads using the mag and rocket know the fish are close in.