Reel up or Down - Help please.

**gonefishin** · 14-01-2007, 17:00

Please can any one explain to me the reason that reel down is more efficient than reel up.
Or is it not???
Something to do with leverage and the point where the line attached to the rod but I cant fathom it.
Thanks

**mick.p** · 14-01-2007, 18:25

Originally Posted by gonefishin

Please can any one explain to me the reason that reel down is more efficient than reel up.
Or is it not???
Something to do with leverage and the point where the line attached to the rod but I cant fathom it.
Thanks

IMHO, UP or DOWN, makes no difference to efficiency or distances, it's a simple matter of, whatever suits you best.

**Stufish** · 14-01-2007, 18:56

The original reason for putting the reel down low was, when using a fixed spool reel, (given they used to be a lot heavier than nowadays) it made the rod feel better balanced. It also effectively makes the rod that bit longer.
The diasadvantage when casting with a mutiplier is that the line can run over your arm and in extreme cases it can melt and break.

Stu

**sciroccoGTX** · 14-01-2007, 19:09

I use my reel down the butt and feel that it is a lot better.

The overall length of the working part of the rod is increased, the arc is larger, and as such the swing is slower and more forgiving, especially for beginners and intermediates.

Exact timing is needed for the up the butt method to pendulum casting. A faster swing is needed to lock the rod and a smaller arc is created.

However both up and down work as efficiently in the right hands.

**pobolycwm** · 14-01-2007, 19:29

i like it down but some people prefer it up the butt

**gonefishin** · 14-01-2007, 19:58

The overall length of the working part of the rod is increased, the arc is larger, and as such the swing is slower and more forgiving, especially for beginners and intermediates.

This is something like what I have heard and I am trying to understand the physics behind the theory.
But how can a rod "alter " the arc through which it is swung assuming that the left hand, irrespective of reel up or down probably closely follows the same path during the cast.
Does the compressed portion of the rod become greater and thereby shorten the lever length of the rod.
If so would this improve ,in the casters' favour, the leverage ratio.
Then would this translate into an easier cast as there would be less "reactive" weight to cast?
Its re-assuring to read that some think that there is no benefit either way and that technique is the important thing .

.

**DAVE H** · 14-01-2007, 20:19

CASTING with the reel down can make a stiff rod feel less harsh
but for fishing its up to the user if you want the reel up or down
I fish with my reels up and comp cast reel down.
SO DO what you are most at home with..

**gonefishin** · 14-01-2007, 20:36

Thanks Guys.
I've no need to butcher my existing "up" rods after all.
Thanks again.

**rich the fish** · 15-01-2007, 04:14

Originally Posted by pobolycwm

i like it down but some people prefer it up the butt

think i know were you are coming from pob

**borisono** · 15-01-2007, 13:58

Fished with my reel down the butt for years now, it felt comfortable from the first time I tried it, reeling in took a bit of getting used to but soon sussed that out, I won't be having it up the butt anymore doesn't feel natural now.