I have an older (2002-2004ish) Daiwa Regal 2000 4I spinning reel. Picked up 4 of them at Hudson's Dirt Cheap for $13 a piece in 04. Sold three and have been fishing this one for a few years. Been a pretty decent reel except for the bail not staying together. It would pop out and had no set screw so I cured that with a clear epoxy but now it's starting to give me problems engaging. Sometimes I'll make a cast and turn the handle to close the bail but the bail doesn't close. The handle and rotor will turn but bail will still be open. Anybody know what might be causing this and what can I do to fix it?

The bail is spring loaded, and the spring has probably weakened. The pivot may be dirty as well. FWIW, closing the bail by hand will go a long way toward limiting line twist ona spinning reel.

The bail is spring loaded, and the spring has probably weakened. The pivot may be dirty as well. FWIW, closing the bail by hand will go a long way toward limiting line twist ona spinning reel.

X2

I've also found it easier to feather the line with the off-hand and close the bail once the lure hits the water...unless I'm looking for a more vertical drop, in which case I just let it sink and close the bail when it stops.

I should've added that I typically close the bail manually (by hand) but there are times when I don't and that's when it gives me problems. I guess it's mostly when I make a bad cast that I turn the handle to engage.

You've had a 13.00 reel for seven years . I believe you have gotten your money's worth out of it , retire the ole boy and give it some well deserved rest.

The bail is spring loaded, and the spring has probably weakened. The pivot may be dirty as well. FWIW, closing the bail by hand will go a long way toward limiting line twist ona spinning reel.

I hate to disagree with ya man, but I gotta. Closing the bail by hand will not prevent line twist. The rotor puts line on the a fixed spool perpendicular to the line path. With the line guide roller bearing working properly, the line is twisted going on the spool and untwisted when cast off. It tends to balance out when the roller bearing is working. A sticky bearing produces more twist going on than will be untwisted casting off. Now you have problem waiting to happen.

Closing the bail by hand does help prevent loops from forming on the spool. It's combination of loops and twist that causes the bird's nest.

You've had a 13.00 reel for seven years . I believe you have gotten your money's worth out of it , retire the ole boy and give it some well deserved rest.

Couldn't have said it better myself.