A unique website dedicated to fishing information from Florida's Northern Big Bend. This includes the area from the Econfina River west to the Apalachicola River
If ya don't like it the way it is "and can afford ta replace it if ya break it" GO FOR IT
“Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.”
I can,t think why the external bale arm closure is a PITA .
If you have only recently bought it, why not exchange it ?
Alternatively, sell it and but something else.
Isn,t that a $250 reel ?
If so, I wouldn,t mess about trying to convert it.
It's a PITA because I am used to bringing the line roller to the top before I pick up the line with my finger and open the bail. If the rotor turns a fraction past top center the bail won't open, or much worse it will open but the bail stop will keep it from going completely into the open position . If you happened to be getting a rather large rush of adrenaline at the time, like maybe you were tossing an eel to a big Ling, you might not notice this condition and the bail might close by itself on the cast
I wish reel manufactures would not put ANY bail trip, internal or external on their reels. I think it is not needed and just adds one more thing to go wrong.
It is an expensive reel but I could not find anything in that size I liked better.
I use Shimano baitrunners, for the specific reason they were designed and manufactured for.
I would agree however, if you don,t need/like a facility, or specific design element of a reel, don,t buy it.
Spot on Ken, carp and similar species, also ledgering and "popping up" dead baits, for northern pike.
For fish that pick up the bait and run like hell, they are the tool to have.
