Super tuning Curados

[yukonjack2]

ok guys - stumbled on this recently - the article is older, but I sent an e-mail and he is sill in business -

Supertuning a baitcaster for optimum performance - fact or fiction?

He charges $20 just to tear it down and clean it, and another $20 for the 4 hours of filing and polishing for optimum performance.

anyone have any thoughts on this?

My thought is:  IF it works, would be really nice to be able to launch a 4" senko, or weightless tube the extra distance when the toads are up shallow?

[yukonjack2]

oops - need the link as well:

http://www.ultimatebass.com/content/view/72/83/

[DOWD]

When I buy Curados, I take them apart, clean and remove all the factory grease and oil. Clean all part in lighter fluid, then when putting it back together, I use Quantums hot sauce and grease on all the parts that had grease on oil. It pretty much turns it into a super free with out the whiffle spool. From start to finish, around 10 minutes per reel.

[smbassman]

I do my own yearly maintenance but I have never done the Super-tuning yet.  If you have a dremel tool, it doesn't sound too difficult.  I will probably try it next winter as I have already done my cleaning for the year.  If you are tearing the reel down for maintenance, the super-tuning process should take less than 20min per reel.

[MBell]

I've heard of this before, there are also some aftermarket ceramic bearings that are supposed to help. 
-Matt

[smbassman]

Heartland tackle repair did a casting study on those bearings and they did improve casting distance - but $20+ a piece is a bit much.  The super tuning just goes beyond the bearing issue and relieves the friction at all contact points outside of the bearing surfaces.

I can attest to the new bearings in older reels though.  I decided to swap out the bearings in some of my old Abu Promax's and I couldn't believe how long the spool would free spin after adding the ABEC7 bearings and Rocket fuel oil.  They seem better than I ever remember them to be.

[djkimmel]

all this talk about high tech reel maintenance is making me feel real guilty...

[Cheetam]

I've replaced the bearings in all of my Curados with ABEC-7 bearings and use Yellow Rocket Fuel.  It makes a huge difference in the performance of my reels.  I have not done any of the dremmel tricks that the "super tuning" guy does, but I do use extra fine steel wool and clean the spool shaft and friction ring a couple times a year, and it does seem to make a difference in how smooth my reels are.  Plus it gives me something to do on long winter nights...