http://www.saltwaterfishing247.comTechincal Guides60http://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/star-drag-systems-Page1.htmThe rod is bent over, the line is very tight and you are holding on for dear life. At this point, something has to give. Either the line will reach its breaking strength and snap or the rod, which is bent to its maximum capacity, will finally break into pieces. This is where the drag comes into play. In this article you will learn how to properly adjust the star drag on your conventional or baitcasting reel.Capt. Terry RandWed, 20 Apr 2011 12:08:13 GMThttp://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/lever-drag-systems-Page1.htmConventional reels traditionally use what is called a star drag system but many conventional reels are now made with a lever drag system. This system uses a sliding lever mounting on the top side of the reel to make drag adjustments. The positioning of the drag adjustment lever is often preferred by anglers over the star drag design for it easy accessibility.Capt. Terry RandWed, 20 Apr 2011 12:05:51 GMThttp://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/spinning-reel-drag-systems-Page1.htmSpinning reel drag systems are built into the spool of the spinning reel and consists of a series of metal and fabric washers that all have a hole in the center. The washers are stacked on top of one another, alternating between the metal and fabric washers as they are stacked inside the center of the spool. As with most drag washers, the washers are lightly lubricated to slide against one another smoothly and without hesitation. They are held in place by a retaining ring that is then capped with a drag adjustment knob.Capt. Terry RandWed, 20 Apr 2011 12:02:47 GMThttp://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/choosing-the-right-fishing-rod-102-Page1.htmOnce an angler gains some experience and confidence in using the one or two rods that they have in their arsenal of fishing tackle, the need for more specialized rods and technique specific rods usually becomes apparent. For instance, a fisherman who has been using their standard spinning rod and reel to cast big chunks of cut bait with heavy sinkers attached will quickly learn that the rod they have been using to cast half ounce lures just doesn't have the back bone to launch a bulky bait rig into the strike zone. This is the time to assess the type of fishing you are doing and what rod types will best handle your specific needs.Capt. Terry RandWed, 13 Apr 2011 17:03:23 GMThttp://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/spinning-reel-bails-Page1.htmThe purpose of the bail is to act as a gate for the line on the spool. When the bail is engaged, the line is prevented from unwinding from the spool. When the bail is disengaged, as it would be for casting, the bail releases the line from the spool. During line retrieval, as the rotor spins, the bail serves to guide the line back onto the spool. Capt. Terry RandMon, 11 Apr 2011 21:26:09 GMThttp://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/matching-a-rod-and-reel-combo-Page1.htmWhen most people take up fishing for their first time, they are often given a rod and reel as a gift or they purchase a rod and reel combo that has already been matched up by the manufacturer. Most pre-matched combos are designed for introductory fishing purposes and do not excel in quality but they do the job just fine for the novice. But, as an angler becomes more obsessed with fishing, the need for a larger arsenal of rods and reels increases. This is the time when the knowledge of how to properly match up a rod and reel combo becomes important.Capt. Terry RandSat, 09 Apr 2011 13:20:29 GMThttp://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/how-to-use-a-spinning-reel-Page1.htmSpinning reels tend to be a top choice for anglers buying new fishing reels. There are multiple reasons but the most common reason is their general ease of use. Spinning reels are probably the easiest reel to learn to cast with, besides a spincast cast reel which has many limitations. Learning to cast a spinning reel only takes a few minutes before someone can begin fishing successfully with one. An overall understanding of how a spinning reel works will guide you to successful casting. Capt. Terry RandWed, 06 Apr 2011 21:44:41 GMThttp://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/rod-action-power-what-is-it-Page1.htmThe choices to make when it comes to deciding on a fishing rod can be a little overwhelming. With all the different rod lengths, styles and blank thicknesses, making the proper selection can seem like a daunting task. Fishing rods have a lot of information printed on them to help you make your decision like what line strength the rod is rated for as well as the lure weights that a rod will cast comfortably. And then you have some other rating listed in there too like rod power and rod action.....what exactly does that mean? Let's talk a little bit about action and power.Capt. Terry RandMon, 04 Apr 2011 14:31:18 GMThttp://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/bushings-bearings-Page1.htmThere's a lot of talk about how many bearings fishing reels have. Often advertised with high price tags, it appears as if the number of bearings a reel has relates directly to the quality of the reel itself. And, what about bushings? They are often mentioned in reel advertising as well. Exactly, what are they trying to sell us here? Let's dive a little deeper into the role that bearings and bushings play in a fine tuned fishing reel.Capt. Terry RandFri, 01 Apr 2011 14:33:24 GMThttp://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/tension-brake-systems-Page1.htmBaitcasting reels and conventional reels use spool braking systems to control the speed at which the spool of the reel spins when the reel is in free spool mode. This is how the angler can minimize the chance of getting backlashes during the casting process. Both baitcasting and conventional reels use a brake that applies pressure to the spools axis to slow down its rotation. This brake is adjusted with a knob located under the reel handle. This brake is often referred to as the tension brake and is found on nearly all baitcasting and conventional reels.Capt. Terry RandFri, 01 Apr 2011 12:37:43 GMThttp://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/magnetic-braking-systems-Page1.htmA magnetic brake system works on a magnets attracting force to slow down the spool. By rotating a dial on the side of the reel, the angler controls a magnet that is moved closer or further away from the side of the spool depending on the position of the dial. When the magnet is moved closer to the spool it exerts a magnetic pull on the spool which slows down the spools rotation speed.Capt. Terry RandTue, 29 Mar 2011 18:27:17 GMThttp://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/centrifugal-braking-systems-Page1.htmCentrifugal brakes work by using tiny sliding weights mounted around the axis point of the spool that are forced to the outside perimeter of the spool during the cast. The weight adds more mass to the perimeter of the spool, causing the spool to rotate more slowly during the cast. These weights can be locked into place at their axis point so they do not engage during the cast or they can be unlocked so they slide towards the outside of the spool during the cast, engaging the braking system.Capt. Terry RandTue, 29 Mar 2011 18:20:41 GMThttp://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/how-to-use-a-baitcasting-reel-Page1.htmBaitcasters have become most popular through the tournament bass industry where bass anglers have found them to be indispensable tools for their pursuits. Baitcasting reels handle larger line diameters far better than spinning reels and heavy lines are often needed to wrestle large fish out of weed beds. These reels also have a completely different drive gear system from spinning reels that provides a lot more power for the angler. This makes the retrieval of many lure types much easier on the angler, especially after long hours of constant casting and cranking. Capt. Terry RandTue, 29 Mar 2011 18:07:39 GMThttp://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/getting-the-most-from-your-spinning-reel-Page1.htmWorking in a full service tackle shop, customers present you with a multitude of questions and requests regarding their spinning reels. Most commonly, folks always want to know if they can spool the reel with heavier line, how to improve their casting distance and what line choice is best for their fishing needs. Fortunately, there are solutions to all of the questions.Capt. Terry RandThu, 01 Oct 2009 10:54:41 GMThttp://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/what-are-spinning-reels-Page1.htmSpinning reels are a necessary tool to fishing success. The spinning reel can handle light lines extremely efficiently as opposed to baitcasting reels. Spinning reels will also allow you to cast the lightest lures with ease. They also require the least amount of practice to master.Capt. Terry RandTue, 29 Sep 2009 23:07:49 GMThttp://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/level-wind-reels-pros-and-cons-Page1.htmMany inshore saltwater anglers ask us to help them decide between purchasing a level wind conventional reel and an “open” style conventional reel that does not have the level wind features. Each of the two styles has its attributes and its challenges.Garry BrummettMon, 28 Sep 2009 22:08:00 GMThttp://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/conventional-vs-baitcasting-reel-what’s-the-difference-Page1.htmConventional and baitcasting reels share many similarities, but their differences really dictate their application for anglers in both salt and freshwater. Both look very different from spinning reels, but not so different from each other. So how do you tell the difference? A few models I will mention a little later may be used in both fishing styles, but generally speaking, non-spinning reels are either built to fish vertically from a boat or to be cast.Capt. Terry RandFri, 18 Sep 2009 22:02:31 GMThttp://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/choosing-the-right-fishing-reel-Page1.htmWhen it comes to purchasing fishing reels, the options seem to be endless. Walk into any fishing retail store and you can easily become overwhelmed by the endless reel displays. Between various manufacturers, spinning reels, bait casting reels and multiple variations on reel designs, how does a beginner or novice decide what is right for their fishing needs?Capt. Terry RandSun, 06 Sep 2009 22:02:58 GMThttp://www.saltwaterfishing247.com/Article/spinning-reels-an-overview-Page1.htmSpinning reels are probably the easiest style of fishing reel to learn how to operate. Yet, many individuals still do not use all of the functions of the spinning reel to their advantage, often times costing them the fish of a lifetime. Take the time to learn all of the abilities of a spinning reel to maximize your fish catching potential.Capt. Terry RandSun, 07 Jun 2009 23:31:40 GMT