New Reel!

[dgmcclanahan]

Hello All!
I know it has been a while and I apologize. I try not to get too involved in hobbies/activities while I am in school. But exams are over now and I have been fishing a lot! I went to a large pond (its actually called College Lake) in Lynchburg, VA and caught a 7lb. bass the other day. I decided soon after this day after some trouble with the reel that came stock on my rod that it was time to upgrade. I am currently using a Shakespeare rod that is 5ft. long. I went out today and bought a spinning Shimano 1000 FD reel. I bought a medium size reel that takes 2, 4, and 6 lb. test line. I love it so far but I am having a bit of a problem with it. When I open the bell like I am going to cast it when the bell is flipped and the round metal part you use to open the bell is to the left, it is very hard to close it back by reeling it. I kind of have to grab it at the bottom of the handle and force the bell shut. I hope this makes sense but I am having a bit of trouble explaining. It seems as though the reel is at the end of the rotation at this point. On all reels I have used in the past the reel allows you to wind it backwards a bit in order to build some momentum to close it when this happens but this reel does not. If anyone can let me know why this is or if I should take it back please let me know. I do not believe there is anything wrong with the reel I have just never had a nice one before . Thank you guys!
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[lurtch]

i think youll be alright..give it alittle time to break in..and oil it often..it sounds like the spring for your bail is still a little tight..
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[dgmcclanahan]

Thank you Lurtch! That's what I am thinking too I just didn't want there to be a potential problem.
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[lurtch]

if after 2to3 trips and some reel oil..you still have this problem definitly return it..sometimes you will get a bad sping..
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[jigs]

i had a black eagle reel that i had out one day and it had a screw come undone and fall in the water. I took it back to the store and they wouldnt do a thing about it so i contacted black eagle and they had me mail it in and sent me a new reel. It was even a more expensive reel he said they didnt have any in stock. so maybe go about it that way.
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[lurtch]

ive had this problem a few times on the newer reals..ecspecialy the 5+ball berring ones..they have always gotten better with use..so far so good.
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[Simp]

You can just start reeling to close the little metal loop on a spinning rod? i had no idea. I've always closed it manually.
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[dgmcclanahan]

Thanks a lot guys! I have been playing with it some more and the more I do the easier it gets to close the bail. So I think I am going to stick with it. I'm headed back to the water on Wednesday so wish me luck! Thank you guys for your help and your quick responses!
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[lurtch]

saves alot of wear on the spring if you do it your way..but that is how there designed..
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[HuntinCrappie]

After the line gets used a bit and gets a little twisted, closing the bail manually just as
the bait hits the water will keep it from throwing as many loops on the spool when you
start your retrieve.
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[bytebull]

[quote Simp]You can just start reeling to close the little metal loop on a spinning rod? i had no idea. I've always closed it manually.[/quote]

Simp, Closing the bail manually is the correct way with spinning reels otherwise you twist the line and after a few hours you will begin getting twists and knots in the line. If you just open the bail, cast and then use the reel handle to close the reel it will eventually twist up the line.
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