Orvis BBS III and Coils

[FrankB2]

I've been using LA reels for the past couple years, but recently bought
two Orvis BBS III reels for my 7'6" wts. I spooled a Cortland 444 on one
reel, and a SA GPX on the other. The Cortland line came off without any
coiling yesterday, but the GPX looked like a Slinky! Both were
put on last Friday. I also pulled out a LA reel with a brand new GPX (5wt)
that was put on about one year ago, and that line wasn't coiled at all.

Soooo.....Replace the BBS reels with larger arbor reels, keep the line
off the reel when not in use (current state), or quit complaining ????

P.S. I bought the BBS reels for their light weight, and would like to keep any new reel light and CHEAP.

 

[sandfly]

keep it on just stretch it before casting. you are using one of the newer stiff lines and they need to be stretched..

 

[FrankB2]

Hi Bob, I just thought it was strange that the GPX lay in coils on the standard
arbor, but came off the LA without a single hint of coiling. The GPX on the
LA is a 5wt, but still..... The 4wt GPX cast just dandy after chasing out the
coils.

 

[wtex50]

I have a BBS III with Rio Selective Trout and not had this problem...I've also used Cortland 444 on this reel with no problem...I will add that I always stretch the first 30 ' or so of line regardless of which reel I am using...RA or LA...the line just seems to cast better by taking a minute and stretching the line out.

 

[FrankB2]

I really wanted to try Rio's Selective Trout II, but the local shop didn't have
it in 4wt.

I should mention that I recently threw a Cortland Lazerline in the garbage
due to coiling! Large or stgandard arbor made no difference with that line,
and chasing out coils was a nightmare. Even after too much time trying to
get the kinks and coils out of that line on the stream, it still laid on the
water like an EKG line (living patient ). I suppose it was that experience
that has me a bit concerned, but I never had problems with GPX lines in
the past, and the 4wt GPX can be effectively straightened before
fishing.

 

[flyflingerandy]

That is a great reel. Just stretch the line out good and enjoy!

 

[sandfly]

take the reel and hook the line/leader to something pull off all the line and stretch really well. Then unhook end of line and reel back on. this might help some..make sure you stretch it well you can't breack it by pulling on it. it has a 30lb core.

 

[Ard]

FrankB2,

Excessive coils are a nuisance, just for the record I have questions. Do you have backing on the reel? Is the spool full, as in, as full as it can be without causing problems?

Some coiling is normal especially with standard arbor reels. By loading enough backing to create the facsimile of a large arbor you not only are ready for the inevitable large fish that will strip your reel of line but have provided a larger arbor to assist in reducing coiling. You may in fact have a materials problem with the line in question. However, I have always been a practitioner of the full spool as mentioned.

 

[FrankB2]

Hi Guys,
I began flyfishing 30 years ago for bass, and used 7wts for the most part.
It wasn't until 2000 that I began using 4 and 5 wt lines/rods. I bought
standard arbor reels for the lighter line, but never had a problem with
coils using Cortland 444 peach. I switched to large arbors a couple years
ago, but wanted the BBS III reels for lightweight small stream stuff. I was
using 444 line, but spooled the GPX on last week. Both reels have 100 yds
of backing, leaving a 3/16" space when wound full.

Stretching the GPX does straighten the line (unlike the Lazerline), but GPX
comes of my LA reels with zero coiling. In fact, I was fishing with my 5wt
and LA reel (GPX line), and caught a very nice rainbow! This guy was the
Jack Dempsey of trout! Love those fish:icon_cool ! As long as stretching
line doesn't harm it, I guess the BBS reels can stay........

 

[FrankB2]

UPDATE:
I spooled the GPX directly onto the BBS, and didn't remove any line until
I went fishing a week later. After chasing all of the coils out, and leaving
the line on the spool for 3 days, it fished fine yesterday and today. It wasn't
until then that I remembered my other Mastery lines needed a little de-coiling
the first 2-3 times. Live and learn....and remember!