Local walmart has a a problem with their display baitcasting combos. On the baitcasters the spool tension knobs keep getting stolen. This means the reels are useless. I tried to talk to the manager about getting the combo at a discount but they just pull em of the shelves and send in a claim of damaged merchandise. I see these knobs missing all the time and its sickening that I can't even buy a decent rod and reel because the knobs are missing.what kind of solution is there for this?

ask for a manager at wal mart to get the discount off the reels, or shop somewhere else, and let them know that.

they could take them off themselves and put them on when they sell them....

While the Walmarts where I live no longer carry mid grade to high end reels, they used to. When they were getting the merchandise in for the new season, all of the reels that were not being carried or had missing knobs, went in a box under the counter to be turned in for credit. If you knew that box was there, you could ask to see what was in it, find a manager and get a great deal.

they could take them off themselves and put them on when they sell them....

I suppose that might work,but then you have all the reels with no spool control knobs.If I'm browsing and see no knobs on the reels at all I'd pass and the combos probably wouldn't sell at all.The Sporting goods Dept is only open a certain amount of hours and if I want to buy this combo after that dept is closed, then I may not be able to get the knob as its locked up in the drawer.

Just like a fishing license...if I wanted to hit the lake. Before sun up and didn't have a license,I would have to wait for the sporting goods dept to open and a sporting goods associate to write up a License.This is a 24 hour WalMart(as most are) and not everyone who works there is certified to write up a license.Seems like there is no real solution

By the time you order a new cap and spacers and pay the shipping on the parts you may not be all that far ahead especially on a low cost combo to begin with. I'd just shop elsewhere unless I was getting one-heck of a deal.

Probably the reason they don't sell them is to prevent someone from stealing the knob one day, and then coming back the next day and buying the reel at a discounted price..

Probably the reason they don't sell them is to prevent someone from stealing the knob one day, and then coming back the next day and buying the reel at a discounted price..

good thinking!

Somewhere here locally is a person or Persons with a fortune in Tension spool knobs from various Baitcasters.

This has been going on for at least 5 years and I have alerted every Sporting Goods employee and even the Dept Manager.

Now they keep the plastic bag on the reels from when its shipped from the manufacturer, but those are easily removed.

The manufacturer uses zip ties to keep a person from taking the reels off the rods. I saw a Quantum combo last night that had the Reel jimmied from the criss crossed zip ties,and the reel inserted on the rod backwards. :

Someone is being awfully mischievous. Its VERY aggravating because I have seen several times where I wanted to purchase a combo,but really couldnt because the knob was missing.

Some ones doing you a favor IMHO. Save your money and buy a real set up. Those Walmart baitcasting combos are junk.

I have an older BPS reel that is missing the spool tension knob.  That thing will launch a crankbait a MILE.

You have two spool tension knobs attached to you.  They are called "thumbs."  Learn to use them and you'll be all set.

Why the heck are people stealing these?  It's not like it's easy to lose 'em.

I generally set the spool tension knob just to the point where there is no longer any side-to-side play with the spool.