hey guys, my friend that just started bass fishing this past year has a abu silver max baitcaster reel and towards the end of the season we noticed that his line was getting cut somehow. so he gave it to me today to take a look at it and see if i could find the problem and fix it. so any ideas of what may be happening? also, i know nothing about this reel as far as brakes or anything for that matter so any help or info would be greatly appreciated! also ideas on how to set it up for him he is not that familiar with a bait caster yet. he is a trout fisherman that i am trying to turn to the dark side...lol.. thanks guys for the help!

My first guess would be either the line guide on the front of the reel or one of his line guides on the rod. Take a cotton swab and run it gently around the inside of each line guide. If it catches then you may have found your culprit.

I was thinking line guide, too.

My first guess would be either the line guide on the front of the reel or one of his line guides on the rod. Take a cotton swab and run it gently around the inside of each line guide. If it catches then you may have found your culprit.

X2.

Also ask him how many backlashes he's had on that line, the age of the line and if there were any kinks from backlashes.

X2.

Also ask him how many backlashes he's had on that line, the age of the line and if there were any kinks from backlashes.

^^ This. If (when) he backlashes the reel, tell him to be sure to get all of the knots and loops out of the line before casting again. As we all know, they can go pretty deep into the spool and one little loop hanging out can catch on the bottom of the line guide (where the screw that holds the pawl is) and cut the line. I've had this happen on my Black Max.

 

Tom

Another scenario I have seen happen is fishing in cold weather where the line guides may have iced up and nicked the lines, but with warmer conditions the ice is not present and may not indicate any knicks or burrs anywhere to be seen or felt on the rod or reel line guides.

Also the silver max has a graphite frame, make sure there isn't any nicks in the frame near the spool.

What kind of line? There are certain types of braid that don't fair too well on baitcasters and cut into themselves

the line was new mono that i put on for him, i am pretty sure it was not the rod i am going to take it apart this weekend and look at the frame that is one area i thought may be causing the problem. thanks guys!