[On The Fly 6]

So, I recently purchased a St. Croix CLA 456 model reel to go on my 5 wt' rod. I like the reel itself...but Im having trouble adjusting the darn thing to keep from spitting so much line out at me whenever I start stripping it out to make my casts. Ive taken the thing apart and tried adjusting the problem but no luck so far. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

[hoglaw]

You shouldn't have to take it apart. If I understand your issue correctly, the drag is too loose. There should be an external drag adjustment, though I'm not familiar with that particular model. Is there an external drag knob?

[jjtroutbum]

I usually turn my drag up till stopped then slowly adjust it looser till I find the sweet spot. Didn't get anything like oil or reel lube on the friction surfaces did ya?

[On The Fly 6]

There is an adjustable drag knob on the reel, but it has no effect on the rate of speed the line comes out whenever I start stripping it out to make my casts. I dont think I got any grease or lube anywhere it wasnt suppose to go. Grr...its aggravating!

[Terry Beeson]

I would say there is a defect in the drag. Take it back to where you bought it and see if they can help.

[Zack Hoyt]

This is totally out of left field, but could it be setup for the left hand versus the right(I am assuming you are right handed). On most reels you can setup for left or right, and if somewhere along the way, someone swapped it over to the other hand, then tightening the drag wouldnt matter. Is there an affect on your reeling of the line in? I know this is kinda elementary, but worth a mention.

[Bman]

zhoyt, on Jul 12 2009, 10:17 AM, said:

This is totally out of left field, but could it be setup for the left hand versus the right(I am assuming you are right handed). On most reels you can setup for left or right, and if somewhere along the way, someone swapped it over to the other hand, then tightening the drag wouldnt matter. Id thee an affect on your reeling of the line in? I know this is kinda elementary, but worth a mention.

I agree, for a new reel a common mistake.

[esox niger]

ive had a number of low end reels that esentialy have no drag....despite an external adjuster...i was just pondering this today...but could be if your reel is cheap...the drag could be "nonexistant". id talk to someone in the shop or customer service. i just looked at your real on google shopping....at that price i dont think you get much in the way of drag. to step up...ive got a Lamson Konic....130$ same drag as their 400-600$ reels or you could go with the orvis barstock at 99$...otherwise be careful not to jerk any line off so as not to get a backlash and learn to palm that baby for drag...or finger that line ( get some fuzzy black gloves from the gas station for 2$ you can use the left one on the right hand when it evetualy wears out, you will love the feel of the line over the glove, its so so much better than stripping over your bare finger, I would hate to fish without my glove. it number one increases your ability to feel the strike and secondly it works very well as a drag....that can be an exciting way to fish...my original reel was the same as yours, i used it for 10 years...just learned to not to jerk line off, and to palm the reel. the glove is a new thing i would have fished my whole life if i had know the difference it made. try it

[Gavin]

That could cost you a big fish someday. If that reel doesnt have enough drag to prevent a birds nest when you strip line. Return it and get something else. Cheers.

[On The Fly 6]

Thanks for the input fellas, I really appreciate it! I am right handed, but I reel left handed and I followed the instructions in the package to adjust it accordingly.

It is a cheaper reel and I guess I got what I paid for! I can use it as a back-up and work with it whenever Im just out goofing off catching perch.

I have a pair of gloves, but I normally use them in cold weather..but It would make sense to give them a try and adjust the way I pull my line out, I guess im just spoiled on the reel I have on my 3-4 wt rod!

Thanks again for the feed back!

[esox niger]

On The Fly 6, on Jul 13 2009, 09:46 PM, said:

Thanks for the input fellas, I really appreciate it! I am right handed, but I reel left handed and I followed the instructions in the package to adjust it accordingly.

It is a cheaper reel and I guess I got what I paid for! I can use it as a back-up and work with it whenever Im just out goofing off catching perch.

I have a pair of gloves, but I normally use them in cold weather..but It would make sense to give them a try and adjust the way I pull my line out, I guess im just spoiled on the reel I have on my 3-4 wt rod!

Thanks again for the feed back!

Seriously, using a little strech fit glove is the shiznit. so smooth....you can feel any tap clear as day and it just feels so good!

[James001]

Good call! I had this problem with a new reel and was having trouble figuring it out until I read your comment. Thanks!

Zack Hoyt, on 12 July 2009 - 09:17 AM, said:

This is totally out of left field, but could it be setup for the left hand versus the right(I am assuming you are right handed). On most reels you can setup for left or right, and if somewhere along the way, someone swapped it over to the other hand, then tightening the drag wouldnt matter. Is there an affect on your reeling of the line in? I know this is kinda elementary, but worth a mention.

[Snow Fly]

I think Zack is right about the reel handle...........instructions should tell you what to look for..for the heck of it where did you buy it?

[B-unit]

I'm leaning toward the reel being set up backward also. If you turn the drag knob all the way up (presumably clockwise), does it get extremely hard to reel line in while it remains resistance-free while paying line out? If so, it's set up for the other hand.

[On The Fly 6]

Got the reel fixed, but use it as a spare now. I Feel like a dunce because it was a simple problem to fix. I simply had it set up to reel with the wrong hand. If you now think less of me, I would understand.