Level Wind Vs. Non Level Wind

[Katmaster Jr.]

I just was curious to see what everyones preference was between level wind and non level wind reels. I personally prefer Non Level Wind, I just feel more comfortable without it, and on most of my older reels the level wind broke after some real big fish.

How about y'all?


OMOTO WAVECASTER / CHIEF 7000 CTM | RENEGADE TACKLE


TIGRE 300 SINGLE SPEED – HIGH SPEED REEL | RENEGADE TACKLE

[dreamcatcher]

Well Zakk, I have only been fishing with non levelwind reels this year, and must say that I prefer them over the other ones. The main reason is that you get the best of all worlds with your fishing. Some advantages:

- No levelwind means no obstructions, especially in the form of knots getting hung up on the worm gear

- Many of them have lever drag systems which I like to give you more precise drag control

- greater casting distance

- birdnests are easier to unravel :big_smile:

I really don't know what the disadvantages are except price. They are generally more expensive than levelwinds across the board...oh you do have to use your thumb to lay the line back on the spool, but it's not a big deal.

[Katmaster Jr.]

Well Zakk, I have only been fishing with non levelwind reels this year, and must say that I prefer them over the other ones. The main reason is that you get the best of all worlds with your fishing. Some advantages:

- No levelwind means no obstructions, especially in the form of knots getting hung up on the worm gear

- Many of them have lever drag systems which I like to give you more precise drag control

- greater casting distance

- birdnests are easier to unravel :big_smile:

I really don't know what the disadvantages are except price. They are generally more expensive than levelwinds across the board...oh you do have to use your thumb to lay the line back on the spool, but it's not a big deal.

Great points Vic, I have gotten so use to using my thumb on the non level winds that I now do it even on my level winds, I always keep my thumb on the line guiding back and forth just like I do on my non level winds...:lol:

They definitely cast a lot longer, and once you get use to winding the line on the reel manually it doesn't get tangled anymore then the level winds do.

[GaryF]

I use both, but I prefer and voted for level wind.

It seems like on the non levelwinds, I have to spool the line off and back on to keep them casting well. Otherwise I end up with little indentations and valleys forming in the line on the spool that cause backlashes if not addressed.

But nothing beats a freshly spooled non levelwind for casting distance.

[shuorc]

My first reel, a pfleuger summit, in 1956 had a level wind that didn't work that well, so it was removed and i had to learn how to fish without it. After years of level wind and none(salt water Penns) it now is automatic to work thumb and forefinger on the line, so it doesn't matter to me.

[1 cattin dude]

I recently started using an old Penn No. 85 reel that was my grandpa's before he passed away in '92. I tried using it about 10 years ago but I did't have a clue how to use it since I was raised on a Zebco 33. Anyway it does not have a level-wind and it works great. I just thought it pre-dated the level-wind. It's good to know that some people actually prefer non level-wind reels.

[PeZ]

i have allways used lvl wind reels so i dont have an opion for reels without it

[Stumpknocker2]

I use both, but I prefer and voted for level wind.

It seems like on the non levelwinds, I have to spool the line off and back on to keep them casting well. Otherwise I end up with little indentations and valleys forming in the line on the spool that cause backlashes if not addressed.

But nothing beats a freshly spooled non levelwind for casting distance.

I would have to agree. I have found that I am not exact enough to see that the line is level as I am retrieving it, on the non level wind reels. I voted for level wind, but now if nonlevel wind is all I had to fish with, I would still be fishin.

[laidbck111]

While I have fished with both I prefer the level wind.

[HOPPY4]

I agree with Vic that they cast better, but I also voted for the Levelwind. I also say that if I had nothing else to use I would pick up the rod and fish without a missed step! When playing a Larger Fish, you are more intrested in working the fish than using your thumb to guide the line in. I also say that to get a Backlash/Birdsnest out is easier with a Non-Levelwind. If you happen to be using lines that have been joined together, the guide on the levelwind can most definitely be a problem with those knots. As I do not casts my LW reels often and the distance requirement is not an issue, I still prefeer LW!!!!!!!! JMHO!!!!!!!


HOPPY4