I have a BPS Pro Qualifier 2 casting reel 7.5:1 that I use a lot. I purchased off ebay the same model reel in 6.8:1. So I get it, and I was having problems with it backlashing.

 

Today I was out at the lake and I had both reels, and I did some experimenting. Same rod, my Lews Hank Parker 6'10", and same lure, a Husky Jerk 10. I had 10 pound big game on both of them. The 7.5 was a bit low on line, but the 6.8 was fresh and full, maybe a touch over full. 

 

Well I ended up adjusting the brakes higher and higher on the 6.8. I had the magnetic brakes on 8-8.5 and I had 4 of centrifugal brakes on, and I was still backlashing. It's like I couldn't use enough thumb. Like the spool was just spinning super fast. Normally on the 7.5 I am about half on the mag brakes and 1 or 2 centrifugal brakes depending on lure weight.

 

Well, I was sitting there and thinking about it, so I decided to swap spools. Immediately the 6.8 reel was tame. It cast just like the 7.5, old faithful. I set the brakes to where I had them set for the 7.5, about half on the mags and 1 centrifugal on.

Then with the 6.8's spool in the 7.5 reel, I was able to cast it, but with minor backlashing. I could cast it, but still it wasn't right. I stripped about 30 feet of line off and it calmed down. I used it a good while without incident. It did seem a bit more "loose" than the 7.5 normally does, but it was well within what my thumb can compensate for.

 

I thought, surely being a little over full didn't cause that much of an issue, so I swapped the spools back. Immediately the 6.8 with it's original spool was back to backlashing and no control.

 

I set there thinking about it. I started looking at the reels. The 6.8 has a tan interior of the main body that is covered by the spool and the 7.5 has a grey interior. Hmm, different batches? Different manufacturers? The bearings are visually different too.

 

This got me to thinking, I wonder if someone put upgraded bearings in the 6.8. They are steel, shrouded bearings and look very close to what the other bearings do, just slighly different.

 

Does what I describe sound like I ran into a reel with some super bearings in it? Why would changing spools, just 1 bearing, in other words, make any difference at all if it wasn't a bearing difference?

I never had an issue with overfilling a spool before, and I cast them just fine normally like that. But I know it can cause backlashes, so I'm thinking it was the straw that broke the camel's back.

 

Thoughts please.

I continued fishing with the reels having swapped spools. I fished one a while, then changed them and fished the other. I had no further issues.

You made no mention- cast control adjustment??

I set it so it removes the play from the spool, but doesn't stop the spool from spinning upon lure drop. Set the same for both reels.

On the spools is there a centrifugal inductor plate?

 

One could be operational, and non working one could be stuck?

 

If problem switched with spools its gotta be there.

 

Last option could be difference in centrifugal brakes?

Is the 6.8 the one you just got? Was it used? 

 

Maybe sticky or worn brakes shoes. Maybe try turning off those shoes and turning on different ones to see if it changes?

Leave the spools in the reels and swap side plates.  It's possible one side plate is over oiled on the centrifugal brake race or is missing magnets or the magnet assembly is broken or incorrectly assembled. 

The 6.8 is the one I just got. It was used off ebay, so I have no clue as to what it's been through.

 

@FloridaFishinFool I don't know what your talking about. I am not familiar with the names of all the parts of the centrifugal brake system. I will see about getting a picture though, of the spool and the side plate.

 

I did not try swapping side plates.

 

I considered that the centrifugal brakes might not be working somehow, but the springs feel the same to me, and the little pins move freely and stick out the same distance.

 

But, I can cast without them if I choose to, and I had been running only 1 pin on the 7.5 reel for the weight of lure I was casting. When I put the 6.8 spool in the 7.5 reel, and after having removed some of the line, which calmed it down some, I had 2 pins on and the mag brakes a little higher than normal.

 

I don't oil the magnets. I wipe them dry, and none are missing.

 

I got some pictures that'll have to wait a bit for me to upload.

The new 6.8 reel and the spool that came in it.

 

 

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The old 7.5 reel, and it's spool.

 

 

 

 

I apprciate everyones insight.

It could be as simple as the condition and/or lubrication (type and amount) in the spool mounted bearings. It could be minor variance in the centrifugal brake shoes. 

Tighten the cast control and see if it slows the spool. You can remove the cast control cap and make sure the parts are in there.

What is with the discolored spool shaft, looks like it was over heated. Bearings look dry!

Tom

Thanks @Delaware Valley Tackle. I didn't flush the new bearings, but I did lube them. Both are lubed with a drop of Lucas speed spool oil.

 

@WRB-2.0, it's dirty oil. It's on both shafts because I had swapped them back and forth.