North Australian FISH FINDER TM forums

I Wish wrote:Nice review of the 2014 Conquest.

I have a new 101 with Hedgehog Studios spool bearings and am loving it. Bagged a few legals with it so far and cannot wait to see how it goes against a big girl.

Thanks for your kind words I Wish,

Which Hedgehog bearing did you use?

I initially fitted the Hedgehog Studio Kattobi Air BFS bearings to my reels. They make casting of lures as light as 3g possible. However, I find they wear out fast if you switch to heavier lures and make long casts, especially with aerodynamic lures such as sinking pencils or jigs.

I now use the slightly more expensive Kattobi Air bearings. These are as capable when they come to casting light lures. But they have more longevity when it comes to shooting a heavy aerodynamic lure out to the wild blue yonder.

LL

I have the Kattobi Air bearings as I throw around soft plastics and heavier hardbodies with it.

Oem handle was too small and I have replaced it with a 105mm Avail alloy handle with Studio Composite Eva knobs. Makes it very torquey now.

How do you mod them to increase the drag pressure? Especially with the new spring drag washers?

I Wish wrote:How do you mod them to increase the drag pressure? Especially with the new spring drag washers?

Hi I Wish,

Several ways, by increasing the spring pressure or by increasing drag pad friction. Here's how from simplest to most complex.

1) Spooning the two Belleville spring washers #21 from () configuration to (( will increase pressure but it reduces drag range which is not important if you're just aiming to stop a dirty fighter from charging home into the sticks.

2) Replacing the two Belleville spring washers #21 with those from the Torium, will increase the pressure.

3) Replacing the Dartanium Disc Drag #42 with a cork or laminated leather washer will increase drag friction.

4) Replacing X-Carbon Drag Disc #40 with a thin Carbontex disc, add in a thin keyed Stainless washer and a second Carbontex disc will almost double the friction generated.

Do remember that by increasing the drag rating and fishing it at full drag will cause premature wear on other parts, so you do so at your own peril. Also you would be wise to carry a spare Gear set (always replace Main gear and pinion as a set) when you fish with uprated drag as the pinion and main drive teeth may get worn off, or the pinion may get twisted around the main shaft making it permanently stuck.

HTH,

LL