I have a Stradic reel that makes a loud grinding noise when I wind in a lure. I tried removing the screw that allows access to the line roller bearing (the most likely culprit) in order to replace the bearing. I was unable to budge the screw, even after soaking it in highly-rated Kroil penetrating oil. The noise was annoying enough, that I stopped using that rod. Eventually, I gave up and bought a new Stradic 2500 reel. I installed it this morning. Rather than spool this reel with all new 10-lb braid, I used a trick that I previously described in my last book.
I have a Stradic 3000 reel on another rod that had lost some of its 10-lb braid. Before heading to Florida in a few weeks to target some stronger fish, I wanted to respool that to have a full spool of line. A Stradic 3000 spool holds about 20% more line than a comparable 2500 spool. There was enough line remaining on the 3000 spool to fill up the new 2500 spool nicely.
I ran the line off the 3000 spool, out through the guides on that rod, down through the guides on the rod with the new reel, and tied onto the 2500 spool. I am not a fan of using mono backing on my spools -- I fill spools fully with braid to avoid having knots in the line bundle. To keep the first few wraps from spinning on the metal spool (been there, done that), I wrap a strip of masking tape on the bare spool first. The first few wraps dig into the tape and hold fast.
I kept tension on the incoming line and was able to get a nice full spool on the new 2500 reel. I then respooled the now-empty 3000 reel with fresh line off of a bulk spool (I buy 1,500-yard spools that last for several years).
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In addition to saving money on braided line, one other benefit of reusing line in this way is that I now have bright, fresh line on the outside of the new spool (the older braid is buried in the first wraps on that spool).
I also keep on hand some old 10-lb braid that has been removed from my reels. I treat it like thread. I have repaired tears in my fishing pants and gloves and sewn up a torn cover on my gel seat pad.
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I am not a skilled fly-tier, but I do on occasion tie some bucktail on hooks. I use the spare 10-lb braid for tying. These uses may not be cosmetically perfect, but they work -- the braid is stronger than cotton thread.
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I have a Stradic 3000 reel on another rod that had lost some of its 10-lb braid. Before heading to Florida in a few weeks to target some stronger fish, I wanted to respool that to have a full spool of line. A Stradic 3000 spool holds about 20% more line than a comparable 2500 spool. There was enough line remaining on the 3000 spool to fill up the new 2500 spool nicely.
I ran the line off the 3000 spool, out through the guides on that rod, down through the guides on the rod with the new reel, and tied onto the 2500 spool. I am not a fan of using mono backing on my spools -- I fill spools fully with braid to avoid having knots in the line bundle. To keep the first few wraps from spinning on the metal spool (been there, done that), I wrap a strip of masking tape on the bare spool first. The first few wraps dig into the tape and hold fast.
I kept tension on the incoming line and was able to get a nice full spool on the new 2500 reel. I then respooled the now-empty 3000 reel with fresh line off of a bulk spool (I buy 1,500-yard spools that last for several years).
In addition to saving money on braided line, one other benefit of reusing line in this way is that I now have bright, fresh line on the outside of the new spool (the older braid is buried in the first wraps on that spool).
I also keep on hand some old 10-lb braid that has been removed from my reels. I treat it like thread. I have repaired tears in my fishing pants and gloves and sewn up a torn cover on my gel seat pad.
I am not a skilled fly-tier, but I do on occasion tie some bucktail on hooks. I use the spare 10-lb braid for tying. These uses may not be cosmetically perfect, but they work -- the braid is stronger than cotton thread.
