BigBendFishing.Net

I just ordered some ceramic bearings for a bunch of Fin-Nor Ahab #12/#8 reels I came across, and I am fairly excited about putting them in. Has anyone else had any experience with them in their reels? There is some good info at http://www.bocabearings.com/ although they are a bit pricey. I ordered mine from http://www.vxb.com after measuring the ones I was looking to replace.

-Dave

Never tried them, but have read about them...You need to order you some Rocket Fuel to go in them bearings...http://www.heartlandtackleservice.com/lubricants.stm

Let us know how the bearings work out for you....

Here's a test between the ceramics and ABEC bearings....ABECs are metal bearings, upgrades from OEMs...http://heartlandtackleservice.com/ceramictest.stm

Great information - now I know a whole lot more about ceramic bearings.

Gee, I wonder if they will fit in my Zebco...

Got the bearings in the mail yesterday and popped them in last night. They are very smoooooth! I am now going to measure and order sets for all my reels, starting with the big conventional ones.

-Dave

I just put a set of TG's Rocket Bearings (ceramic), lubricated with rocket fuel in an older Curado. Smoother, hmmm maybe. It was already pretty smooth. Casting distance = 129 feet with a skitterwalk topwater lure. Feels about the same distance as before. Not sure if these bearings are worth the $40.00 price tag. I need to water test them.

How much oil did you use on them bearings BD? I heard that you needed to use very little or it will slow the bearing down....You didn't have all the pins on the brake pulled out did you

1 drop per bearing. Do you think that is too much? I'm using the red label Rocket Fuel because they were out of yellow.

1 thing I failed to mention is I'm using 17lb. line. I know it will cast better with lighter line, but that 17 sure holds up better.

Red label.... They use it to slow down the reels that are too fast....You'd be better off with 3in1....you'll have to clean that oatmeal out of the bearings first...

They come shipped bone dry with no oil in them. If you find them to be too fast, you can add a small drop of your favorite bearing oil to slow them a bit. Heavier oil will slow the bearing even more if desired.

Online article

http://heartlandtackleservice.com/ceramictest.stm

Interesting test/comparison. Got a question for you Chalk (or anyone else who wants to provide input). Is there an internet source for the "how to" information on how to maintain or tune a baitcaster. I did a brief couple of searches but didn't find anything. In other words explanations on how the brake systems work, how the "pins" affect the system...how many to pull out, how to clean bearings, how much and what to use to lube and what should be or should not be lubed. I guess I'm looking for baitcaster maintenance 101. Thanks.

Look under the articles section of this site, they provide cleaning tips...http://heartlandtackleservice.com.

If you want to learn about reels do some seaches on Distance Casting. You'll find alot of information on mid size reels, I love reading the ones where the guy "dumps" a TLD 20....That equates to making a cast and emptying the spool aka reel porn

Best way to learn how to tune one is use...I have been using them for close to 20 years and I have my moments, but I live on the edge..Kinda like racing "loose and out of control equals fast." I run my cast controls loose for optimum distance, sometimes I win the race and other times I hit the wall...

Do a search on reel repair as well....alot of reel repair sites have tips and suggestions on maintenance and hot rodding reels

Thanks Chalk. I'll try ta stay on the bottom of the track and out of your way

Chalk wrote:Best way to learn how to tune one is use...I have been using them for close to 20 years and I have my moments, but I live on the edge..Kinda like racing "loose and out of control equals fast." I run my cast controls loose for optimum distance, sometimes I win the race and other times I hit the wall...

It aint purdy when he hits the wall.

CoachDitka wrote:I just ordered some ceramic bearings for a bunch of Fin-Nor Ahab #12/#8 reels I came across, and I am fairly excited about putting them in. Has anyone else had any experience with them in their reels? There is some good info at http://www.bocabearings.com/ although they are a bit pricey. I ordered mine from http://www.vxb.com after measuring the ones I was looking to replace.

-Dave

I would say if they offer alot better corrosion resistance then they may be worth it for those reels, but a spinning reel does not need high speed bearings, there is no real benefit. The bearings in a spinning reel only help keep the gears and shafts in-line and help the reel feel "smoother", but a good set of anti-corrosion bearings such as the ones shimano and diawa use should be plenty good enough for spinning reels.

Now for baitcasting reels it can help casting distance but I would say only with very light weights will there be a difference, and probably not huge difference. And again only replace the bearings that support the spool, that is where you need ultra-smooth high speed bearings.