As the title says: does anyone use their centrifugal baitcasting reel with all of the magnets turned off?

If not, what how many brakes do you have on?

Do you mean dual braking or simple centrifugal? 

 

I use my duals with the magnets off most of the time and the centrifugal pins set from 1-3, 2-3 is normal for me.

 

2-3 with centrifugal only reels is the norm 

I've never free spooled a reel with centrifugal brakes. Always have 2 on. I used to use the magnets on my STX if I was throwing a spinner bait if it was windy, but in conjunction with the cent brakes. Most of the time though I never touched the mags.

Centrifugal brakes use friction brake shoes, they're not magnets. You can turn them all off if you have the ability to thumb the spool effectively. I usually end up using 1-3 on. Everyone's mileage will vary, but if you post the model of reel you'll get what's working for others.

Do you mean dual braking or simple centrifugal? 

 

I use my duals with the magnets off most of the time and the centrifugal pins set from 1-3, 2-3 is normal for me.

 

2-3 with centrifugal only reels is the norm

I guess either centrifugal only or centrifugal and magnetic brake combos.

1-2 Centrifigal brakes on depending on the rod and lure.

On my VBS reels 2 on and I can do anything I need to... Same with SVS... I am not sure what I could usefully gain using only one brake on, maybe those guys could enlighten me? I know some guys run one brake.

On my VBS reels 2 on and I can do anything I need to... Same with SVS... I am not sure what I could usefully gain using only one brake on, maybe those guys could enlighten me? I know some guys run one brake.

More distance. I use my Antares HG with 1 brake on and it's a noticeable gain compared to when using 2 brakes. I can't use 1 brake on with all of my reels but with the Antares HG it's not a problem.

No.

With my chronarch I use 1.

On my mag brake only reels, which I use for flippin and pitching only, dial set between 0 and 3.

Centrifugal brake only reels, 2 or 3 brakes on.

For dual brake system reels a combination of the 2.

Usually 2 brakes on and mag set on 3 to 5.

All except mag only reels the settings depend on wind, weight of lure, action of the rod being used and certain characteristics of the reel itself.

Mike

On my VBS reels 2 on and I can do anything I need to... Same with SVS... I am not sure what I could usefully gain using only one brake on, maybe those guys could enlighten me? I know some guys run one brake.

 

 

I thought running odd number brakes makes them unbalanced?

I use lots of settings on the mag portion of a dual braking reel, including having all mag on and all mag off.  If I'm turning the mag portion off it is to gain some casting distance bank fishing. 

I thought running odd number brakes makes them unbalanced?

No

It makes braking smoother as the brakes wear more evenly.

Mike

If a reel has cent brake weights I see no need for additional external magnetic brakes. Of course this is just my opinion, but dual braking systems are over rated. I guess you can set and forget the internal and fine tune the external but in my experience the difference is very marginal. If you can turn two brake blocks on and set the magnetic brakes to zero, cast trouble free, what's the point. Wind picks up just turn on another brake block. It's always felt like a half hearted implementation of both systems.

The only magnetic only system I trust is Daiwa, and I never turn the dial below three. I had a lews tourney MG and could cast with it set at one. I felt the braking system was to strong.

Yes, when pitching, or throwing large lures that like to get launched. Also with certain baits, I like to use a slightly heavier oil in the bearings, which allows for less braking. Sounds counter intuitive, but actually results in longer easier casting, essentially the bearings become a defacto micro brake.

Turn them all off and learn to use your thumb - very satisfying.

Turn them all off only when I forgot to do reel maint and the bearings are sticky and not getting enough casting distance.

There are many who have dual braking and change the number of brakes when casting in wind or changing to lighter lures, I set 1 or 2 brakes on depending on the reel, then I use the magnetic if I need to fine tune for wind or lighter lures. There is no need to pair or run even numbers, just use the fewest you need for the best control, and the less you need the less friction and better your distance will be.