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How to Repair a South Bend Spin Cast 70 Reel

How to Repair a South Bend Spin Cast 70 Reel

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The South Bend Spin Cast 70 fishing reel is considered a classic or vintage fishing reel, and with proper maintenance provides years of solid fishing and casting. The Spin Cast 70 uses a series of sealed ball bearings to achieve the spin and cast mechanisms. A drag setting controls tension on the line when reeling in or playing the fish. Maintaining the reel requires a bit of basic maintenance and repair work such as re-greasing the bearings (or replacing the cartridge) and oiling the spool and handle.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • South Bend Spin Cast 70 Reel
  • Rod
  • Small Phillips screwdriver
  • Grease
  • WD40
  • Hobby oil
  • Paper towels or absorbent
  • Fishing line--minimum 10-pound test
  • Optional: Replacement bearing cartridge
Step 1
Look for the four small screws on the outside of the reel, next to the spool to take apart the reel. Unscrew and remove the side plate of the reel and set down. Place the screws to the side. Repeat on the other side of the reel. Pull the fishing line off the spool's spindle and discard.
Step 2
Unscrew the single small screw on the underside of the handle and remove handle. Set aside and place the handles screw next to it. At the spool, locate the small circular cartridge that houses the bearings. Gently pull out the cartridge and inspect for grease. Check the grease for grit or sediment. If present, replace the cartridge (see resources for tackle shops that sell the cartridges). If no grit is in the grease of the bearings, add a small dollop of new grease to the bearings in the cartridge and place it back on the reel.
Step 3
Spray a small quantity of WD40 on the edges of the spool and where the cartridge makes connection to the handle. Wipe off any excess WD40. Add a drop of oil to where the handle makes contact with the spool and reel. Add one drop to the moving parts on the spool. Let the oil set in for at least five minutes.
Step 4
Replace the side plates and reaffix the screws to tighten the plates back into position. Replace the handle and screw into position. Thread a section of the new fishing line onto the spool, keeping one end of the line fixed to the spool with your forefinger. Gently reel the line with the handle until there are 10 full rotations of line on the reel and remove your finger. Reel the new line onto the spool until you have the desired length of line on the reel.
Step 5
Place the reel back onto the fishing rod and affix with the dedicated fasteners on the reel.

Tips & Warnings

 
Use just one small drop of oil on each moving part. Excess oil attracts dirt and grit.

Resources

Article Written By Eric Cedric

A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.

Write for Trails.com

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