I recently read an article about casting reels that are very noisy during the cast, here is an interesting summary of what I found. This noise is one of the most common reasons for repairs. The cause, we ask? Bearings, of course, we say. But I was surprised to find the real culprit is likely the plastic centrifugal braking system. When a dry plastic tab rubs a dry brake ring, the friction is a lot more than when it's oiled, so much more in fact that the ends of the tabs will often melt and have fringe hanging off of them. Most new reels come with a thin to thick layer of grease on the brake ring. Grease will lube the brake ring and keep it from making noise, but it also cause inconsistent braking. Therefore, after a reel has been serviced, the brake ring and tabs will be oiled, but not greased. The braking is much more consistent with oiled brake parts, but oil doesn't last as long as grease. If you have a reel with centrifugal brakes, you need to wipe a drop or two of reel oil around the inside of the brake ring at least once a month. A few drops on a Q-tip makes it easy to do. It's also just a heck of a good practice to get into of opening the side cover to oil your brakes frequently as this will give you the chance to wipe a little grease on the side cover locking tabs or threads. You would be amazed at how many people spend $200 on a pro-quality reel, and then never service it. If you don't know how to open your side cover to access the brakes or to oil the parts, either review the owner’s manual that came with your reel, search for the instructions on google, or ask another club member. It's a good idea to keep a small bottle of reel oil and a tube of grease along with some Q-tips as an emergency service kit. So remember, a little oil on the brake ring so the plastic brakes can function properly, and a little grease on the locking tab to keep corrosion from occurring.
 Fellow Midweek Bass Angler Jeff Mason teaches a young woman how to drop shot at the November 2015 Bass Pro Shop fishing seminar. Jeff also taught fishing strategy and techniques through colorful and humorous stories from his 32 years of tournament angling in Arizona. There were 14 Midweek members in attendance as well, making for a packed room. Gary Senft and Matt Shura also shared fishing tips for Bartlett lake, making it quite an informative night.
GG If you are interested in finding out the successful strategies of the winners of our recent tournament, click here.
Black Bass Behavior Nature Bulletin No. 338-A March 29, 1969 Forest Preserve District of Cook County George W. Dunne, President Roland F. Eisenbeis, Supt. of Conservation
BLACK BASS BEHAVIOR There are some peculiar expressions in our American Slang. We admire "a smart cookie" but "a poor fish" is held in contempt, as if fishes were the dumbest creatures on earth. They may seem dumb, and some kinds probably are, but -- to expert fishermen and scientists who study the behavior of fish -- the black basses, for instance, appear to be as alert and intelligent as many of the so-called higher animals. In Illinois, where there are three species of them, they are the Number One fish for most anglers. The Largemouth black bass thrives in lakes and the more sluggish streams throughout the state. The smallmouth bass and the spotted bass prefer faster moving streams, the former being restricted to the northern half of Illinois and the latter to the southern part. Most of the newer model reels will last a lifetime if taken care of properly, but like anything we use on a regular basis, they will occasionally need a little TLC to ensure it casts and retrieves properly every time. Does your reel make a funny sound when casting? Does it seem like you can't cast as far as when the reel was new? Does your line bunch up on one side of the spool? These problems and others can be solved with a little reel maintenance. The two .pdf files below are from Shimano, but most of the maintenance and procedures can be applied to any manufacturer's reel. 
We're all familiar with the adage, 'you get what you pay for', but we also know there are products out there that are overpriced for what you're actually getting. Fishing tackle is like any other commodity, there are 'bargains' that aren't even worth the time it takes to carry them out to your car, and there are products that cost so much they should make the fish jump into your boat. Rods and reels are two of the most expensive components of fishing tackle and are therefore the most scrutinized purchases we make. Selecting a good rod can be a bewildering experience for someone who wants the most for their money. We ask questions like "What makes this rod so expensive?" and "Is this $300 rod really twice as good as this $150 rod?" With the unbelievable array of good rods available to serious anglers today it's easy to find a great rod that is perfect for what you want to do with it. However, at the same time, you could end up with something that might not be right and you'd be spending some good money for something that you won't use. I believe the most expensive rod you own is the one you never use. Even if it was cheap it was a waste of your money if it stays at home leaning in a corner. Conversely, you may have a rod that cost a lot of money but if you use it every time you go fishing and you love it then it was money well spent.
Thought I would share a resource I often use. www.bbcboards.net/. There is information about boats, motors, trailers, electronics as well as a huge for sale section. Check it out.
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