Level wind v non level wind

[NormC]

All my overhead / baitcaster reels are the level wind types and I've never used an overhead non level wind. My only real experience with non level wind (or equivelant) reels would be a number of Alveys which are a different matter entirely.

There are some very good (and expensive) reels made though that are non level wind. So they must be popular.

I clearly understand the advantage of level wind. It's in the name.

The advantages of non level wind are a bit more elusive, but there surely are some. Simplicity - one less item to fail or get jammed up. A bit better casting distance? There must be others. What are the they and is it worth the effort to expand my range of gear and fishing methods?

Norm C

[peterbo3]

Hi Norm,
When you start getting up into larger overheads (TLD 15 & other equivalent reels) there are really no level winds. Too much stress on the gears. It can be done but you will end up with a piece of machinery that is huge & weighs a lot. You really answered your own question..................simplicity.............. ......well, relative simplicity.

[trueblue]

Level winds break on big reels. About the best value for money for a level wind is the charter special, and once you go bigger than that then forget it. They just won't stand up to the punishment of big runs under high tension.

cheers

[NormC]

Trueblue, I bought a Charter Special just the other day. Haven't used it yet though. It's my first lever drag, so will be a bit of a toy for a while. Mainly got it for live baiting.

My fishing these days is pretty much all estuary and impoundment.

Impoundment is all lure fishing and I use Curado, Citica and similar.

When estuary fishing, particularly when I go north, I do a bit of live baiting for barra, threadfin and bluenose salmon etc. This is what I got the Charter Special for (previous reel died on recent trip to the Gulf).

I'm figuring from this that for my current fishing, level winds are fine. A Charter Special should handle a 1m barra for example? I have 25 lb mono on the reel, so have to manage drag in any case.

[rat_catcher]

A lot of the problems with levelwinds come from not lining up the line on the spool with the levelwind. i.e. the line is pulling off the spool at a different location from where the levelwind is on it's gear track.

This causes sideways pressure on the levelwind and it either breaks or jams up.

[saurian]

Normc , a 100 size calcutta will handle 1m barra.
But your charter is a bulletproof allrounder .
Barra one minute , big macky the nest.
Ta

[trueblue]

Calcuttas are also good

[finding_time]

A lot of the problems with levelwinds come from not lining up the line on the spool with the levelwind. i.e. the line is pulling off the spool at a different location from where the levelwind is on it's gear track.

This causes sideways pressure on the levelwind and it either breaks or jams up.


Spot on!!;) Also when droping a bait down the level wind slows the rate the line can come off the reels and using them for live baiting is a pain as the is more resistance which might put of finiky fish. No one in the game fishing community uses level winds ,there just not up to the job on many levels.

Ian

If you get a non level wind reel it will take you only one trip to get used to laying the line on your self, and after a little while it becomes second nature and you dont even think about it.

[mini696]

I have found level winds dont wind level. I usually get a bump in the middle of the spool.

[NormC]

I can see it would be easy to lay the line on when retrieving without a fish (just like on the Alvey). But what about when fighting a metre long barra? Or do you forget about it then and level out on the next go?

[finding_time]

Norm

You cant level it out next go if useing a full spool as the pilled up line will stop the spool turning, but dont let this put you off as laying the line as you wind really does become second nature and you dont even thing about it. Anglers catching 1000lb marlin still lay there line and they generally have plenty on there mind.;)

Ian

[wheelerdog]

A lot of the problems with levelwinds come from not lining up the line on the spool with the levelwind. i.e. the line is pulling off the spool at a different location from where the levelwind is on it's gear track.

This causes sideways pressure on the levelwind and it either breaks or jams up.


Thats how the levelwind ripped out of my abu 7000. bottom fishing when a spanish pinched the fish.

how do you stop that, is it possible. I had the reel rebulit by Jarck Erskine. it is a great reel for bottom bashing the shallow reef


cheers

[rockfisho]

Although i dont use them often, i can certainly see that a non level wind would be much easier to handle when you are distance casting off the rocks for macks for example. There is less chance of a really bad overrun occuring because the line spews out the top of the reel and wouldnt get jammed under the levelwind mechanism.

rockfisho