How to Use South Bend Reels

female fishing image by JulianMay.co.uk from Fotolia.com

South Bend manufactures large quantities of moderately priced reels. The majority of the reels are either bait casting or spin casting reels, but a few specialty ice fishing models can be found on the market. The South Bend reel models do vary in quality and function but all of the spin and bait casting reels use the same casting techniques. Most of the reels will also have a simple drag adjustment and a few of the spinning reels allow the direction of the retrieve to be changed.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Spin Casting

Things You’ll Need:

South Bend spin casting reel
South Bend bait casting reel

Step 1

Attach the reel to a spin casting rod by placing in the reel seat and twisting the screw clamp. Run the tag end of 6- to 10-pound test fishing line through the rod guides and to the spool of the reel.

Step 2

Flip the wire bail in the upwards or open position. Attach the tag end of the line to the reel with an arbor knot. Crank the handle to close the bail.

Step 3

Place the line between the pages of a thick book to create tension. Phone books and dictionaries are ideal for this task. Crank the handle of the reel to wind the line on the spool.

Step 4

Continue to crank the handle until the spool is almost full. Leave a small cushion to prevent future tangles. Tie a lure to the end of fishing line.

Step 5

Open the bail on the reel and pinch the line between your forefinger and the rod handle. Cast the lure by releasing the line during the forward motion. Crank the handle to close the bail and retrieve the lure. Turn the knob on the top of the reel clockwise to tighten the drag and counterclockwise to loosen the drag.

Bait Casting

Step 1

Attach the reel to the rod by placing it in the reel seat and screwing the clamp tight. Run the tag end of 6- to 10-pound fishing line down the rod guides.

Step 2

Unscrew the reel cap and run the line through the hole in the top of the cap. Use an Arbor knot to attach the line to the reel. Replace the cap.

Step 3

Place the line between a heavy book to create tension. Crank the handle forward with the reel facing upwards to spool the line. Unscrew the cap to check the line frequently. Stop before the spool is full to prevent future tangles.

Step 4

Tie a lure to the end of the fishing line. Use the large push button during the forward cast to release line from the reel. Release the button to stop the line and crank the handle to begin the retrieve.

Tips & Warnings

Use the South Bend fishing reels for casual fishing situations. The reels are affordable and are a top choice for kids and beginners. The drag and casting systems are quality but are not high performance. The reels are also much less durable than the top models.

Resources

South Bend: Fishing products

Article Written By Zach Lazzari

Zach Lazzari is an outdoor writing specialist. He has experience in website writing as well as standard newspaper writing. He wrote an outdoor column for the Silver World in Lake City, Colo., and articles for Colorado-mountain-adventure.com. Lazzari is currently completing his bachelor's degree online through Arizona State University and lives in southwest Montana.

Editor's Pick

Backcountry Camping Tips

You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
More Backcountry Camping...
Popular Article

Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
More Beach Camping...
Featured Video

Common Sense Hiking Tips

The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
More Camping Basics...