Reel Tuning
What Is "Super Tuning"? How does it improve your Baitcasting reel? Are the results of "Super Tuning" measurable or just a bunch of hype?

In a nutshell, Super Tuning is a process whereby you do fine sanding and polishing on the vital friction points of a baitcasting reel. This causes the reel to perform to its fullest potential by reducing the resistance it has to work under during typical outcasting. The advantages to this process are many. Here is a quick list of some of the major advantages to "Super Tuning"

1) A Super Tuned baitcaster will far out distance a normal "off the shelf" baitcaster in any casting contest or real life fishing situation. A must have advantage if you fish from the back of the boat!

2) A Super Tuned baitcaster is much more controllable than a normal baitcaster as the angler can cast a lure the same distance as a normal baitcaster with much less speed input to the rod, reducing angler fatigue and giving the angler more time to thumb the spool and place the lure right were it needs to be.

3) A Super Tuned baitcaster will give consistent and linear tension adjustment throughout the entire cast control range thus eliminating the "not enough tension" to "too much tension" dilemma inherit in many baitcasting reels.

Super Tuned baitcaster will increase the braking effect of reels centrifugal braking system and cause it to perform in a much more linear, consistent fashion, which actually increases long distance casting. Super Tuned baitcaster will throw much lighter lures than a normal baitcaster as its moment of inertia has been lessened due to reduced friction on the spool shaft. This can possibly eliminate the "need" of using a spinning reel in certain situations thus bringing the baitcasting reels huge advantage of a control and power (torque) into play.

      Upgrades

	Bearings Bearings are the life blood of most reels on the market today.  Bearings allow the reel to cast further and feel smoother by reducing friction. There are many different types of miniature bearings on the market for reels including Stainless ABEC 3's, 5's, 7's, Shimano's ARB & SARB, Daiwa's CRBB, Ceramic Hybrids, and Full Ceramics just to name a few. A good quality bearing increases performance and durability.
	Drag Washers Drag Washers are important because they dictate how smooth and how much pressure it takes for the fish to "pull drag" or pull the line out during a fight.  A bad drag washer will make the reel feel jerky, make noise, and not provide much resistance when fighting a fish. Carbontex, Smoothies, and Extreem Smoothies made by Smooth Drag use durable materials which will increase drag pressure and smoothness of the drag system.
	Parts Upgrade Some reels have room for improvement.  The addition of extra bearings, changing gear ratios, and swapping out the handles, side plates, and frames are some of the improvements that can be achieved. Abu Garcia reels have many upgrades available such as Single and Double Bearing Worm Gears, Idler Bearings, Bushings-to-Bearings, Handles, and the list goes on. In some model Shimano's and Daiwa's you can swap out the gears to obtain different retrieve ratios, on top of the additional bearings, different handles, and so on. Penn reels have many upgrades.  Almost every exterior part can be swapped with an after market part.  Lighter anodized side plates, frames, handles, and star drags will make the overall weight more managable and provide you with a unique reel.