Thanks to Ed Whited for providing an easy primer on casting an open face reel. The information applies to Shimano Corsair & Calcutta, Daiwa Millionaire, Abu Abu Garcia Ambassador and similar reels.
I have two Corsairs, both of them are the new versions. I have caught yellowtail, bass and barracuda with them.
They cast great and the drag system is the same as the Calcutta’s.
Always watch your jig when you cast, If you do not stop the spool with your thumb when the jig hits the water, you will get a backlash. To help with your casting, and/or minimize your backlashes, make sure that your spool adjustment is correct. This is the knurled cap on the right hand side plate. The purpose of the adjustment is to take the play out of the side to side movement of the spool. I like to tighten the knob until I can no longer here a “Click” or sound as I try to move the spool side to side with my thumb. Too tight and you will limit your casting distance. Always watch your jig when you cast, If you do not stop the spool with your thumb when the jig hits the water, you will get a backlash.
The next item is the proper adjustment of the “Weights” on the left-hand side of the spool. These weights are located on the left-hand side of the spool. You have to disassemble the reel to access them. Unscrew the two slotted knobs holding the right hand side plate to the frame and remove the spool from the reel. Look at the left-hand side of the spool. There is a series of 5 (as I recall) weights on the left side of the spool arranged in a circular or star pattern. The weights can be pushed toward the center of the spool’s shaft to turn off the weight or pushed outward toward the spool’s rim to turn them on. Be careful not to damage the weights. I would turn them all on until your thumb becomes more educated and you can then start turning some of the weights off to lengthen your casting distance. When you re-assembly your reel, make sure the release (free-spool) button is in the up position or it will not engage the release mechanism properly. This will be apparent by the button remaining in the down or disengaged position and not engaging when the reel handle is turned. The easiest way for me to prevent this is to turn the reel upside down so gravity pulls the release button into the proper position as I reassemble the reel.
The issue of the line being caught between the spool and frame is a function of the line diameter, spool looseness (see second paragraph) and backlashes. Everyone, no matter how experienced, has backlashes at times. Experience and proper adjustments will minimize the backlash frequency. Try not to use line of a diameter smaller than what the reel is designed for. With smaller diameter line the frequency of catching the line between the spool and the frame increases and the line’s tolerance to damage decreases. Ed Whited
