Too much time on here this winter gave me opportunity to read up on a few things that caught my interest.  One of those things was tuning reels for improved performance.  I sent Mike at DVT a 3 yr. old Bass Pro Qualifier 5.3-1 and a 1 yr. old Johnny Morris 7.1-1.  Thorough cleaning, Carbontex drag upgrade along with new bearings.  Not much of a DIY guy so I thought I better go with a pro.  

 

Johnny Morris reel is great, very smooth and a joy to cast lighter Jerk Baits with now.  30# braid- no back lashes or issues.  Didn't get in to the drag with the only decent Bass I caught this weekend, but when adjusting it I thought it was smooth and even.

 

PQ was a beast, still learning to throw it!  I had read that bearings won't necessarily improve a maximum distance but ease of casting.  That seems to be the key.  Just flick the wrist and the lightest Jerk bait is heading out at warp factor 7.  I think the reel exceeds my capabilities at this point, will be fun to keep practicing and see how much I can get out of it.  I know this isn’t a normal reel you would invest more money in, but it responded VERY well to the upgrades.

 

Thank you to Mike for answering my questions patiently and doing a real nice job here.  Not sure what I will be sending him next, probably one of my Fuegos......

 

The johnny morris carbonlite was my first baitcaster... Made learning to cast with them a breeze.  My only complaint was the anti-reverse started going out before my first season using it was even over.  I'd set the hook and would end up with a mess in my spool.  Made me turn to Lew's for my other baitcasters.

Yeah, I've had several reels tuned and upgraded.  I'm kind of like you in that I'm not sure I can take full advantage of the increase in performance possibilities.  However, I like my reels to be the best they can be with me being the limiting factor.  Maybe some day I will grow into them.  

 

It doesn't have to be an expensive reel as long as it is one you like.  I had a Prodigy (the older gray one) tuned and upgraded.  It responded well.  I got it on sale for something like $69.  That reel feels like a tank....nice and solid.

Thank you, I'm glad you're pleased with the results. A tuned and maintained reel is a pleasure to fish isn't it?

Mike is absolutely excellent. I'm about an as off the wall A.D.H.D type of person as you can get and he had always been nothing but patient and honest with me. I'm glad you went with him. He deserves all the business he could handle.