CM-6

[Baron2]

Good Morning. I have acquired a CM-6 and I also have another that I'm not sure the size. I'm looking to potentially add this reel to my spring Ultralight lineup and I wonder if 4lb line may work? I found this list in the archives but it seemed to be available for all of the CM reels. With no mention of 4 lb should I assume that it was not recommended?

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[GaryWB]

No mention of spooling that reel with any other than 6lb test line.

Maybe someone has physically tried it though and can shed some light on the subject

[Jp Elim]

Einstein wondered about a lot of things. Take the plunge and try it. At least you won't end up with an atom bomb ! Just be sure and let us know how it goes .

[Baron2]

My family constantly reminds me that I ain't no Einstine.
Ironically I had two Nick Names on the farm. I hated that all my Neighbors and hired folk called me by those names. One was "Wreck-em-all" and the other? "Don Don The Atom Bomb".

Nuf Said!

[Baron2]

No mention of spooling that reel with any other than 6lb test line.

Maybe someone has physically tried it though and can shed some light on the subject

With some of the less complex Spincast Reels there is poor initiation of the drag. You might be fishing for fish where 4lb test is all you need. But you might be using a reel that takes six or eight lbs of tug to get the drag to let go. Not completely sure but I seem to remember the Zebco 202 and some of my Johnsons being this way. So  this example may affect what the manufacturer is willing to recommend. The other issue being the reels ability to brake line when casting.

[Jp Elim]

Gosh. Never know what my remarks might spark on here, Even an Atom Bomb ! Got a good laugh from your reply. If it makes you feel any better, I was always to blame when I ran the combine for the custom harvester.         
   "John the Jinks" was my name and proud of it !!! 

[Baron2]

I was the yougest...."The Kid". Our Combine was a pull type John Deere 30 and we pulled it with a Massey 65 Dieselmatic. On wet years we used two or three tractors chained together to pull the whole thing through the wet fields.

[Baron2]

Okay it's time for a report on the CM-6 and a few questions. after cleaning and lube I loaded it with 4lb test and placed a 1/4 oz weight on it and went out to driveway test.It casts well on a 5' lite zebco rod. Thats more weight than I'm likely to use so all went well.
There are two issues that I think I have and maybe you all can confirm: \
- First off it is noisy. Some Spincast reels are just that way and this was no exception. Maybe with use it will quiet down. It's not particularly bad but it might get a chuckle from the guy next to me who is chucking an Orris Hellios.
-Secondly the retrieval rate seems so terrible slow. Am I imagining that? Anyone know where I could find what the retrieval ration is. Reminds me of the 155 I have. Slow.

It did handle the 4lb line fine.
Overall its a great looking setup.

[GaryWB]

All or most of tge CM and Tanglefree reels have the same gears in them.  So tge gear, turn ratio is the same.  If that seems slower than your other reels of the same family....it's unexplainable

Gary

[Baron2]

Thanks Gary, See above where I say "am I imagining it"?. Hard to tell without being on the water. And maybe that is why I like the 225, TF8, TF10 for catfish? Hmmm. Can't wait to get them wet.

[GaryWB]

Pinion Gears are 12 teeth
Main gears are 35 teeth

Gear ratio is 2.9/1

Most Johnson reels work out to that gear ratio

[Baron2]

That ratio puts these reels into the category of the early 85's, 202's and 33's. It was the speed of the day. Too slow for casting in most cases but nice for jigging and Bait'n Bobber work.

[Jp Elim]

Wonder if a Sprint 445 gear and pinion would fit. Not sure of the ratio. Think it's faster.

[Baron2]

Faster would be nicer for some things, so that would be an interesting swap, should it work. I sometimes feel that I retrieve too fast for some items, rapala for example. So I've taken to using many of my Johnsons for slower presentations and for more close in cleanup work. When using faster lure and spinnerbaits I usually grab a Bullet (5.2/1), ZO3 (3.4/1) )or Daiwa 80 or 108(4.3/1).

They're all fine though, all speeds, the difference is the retrieval back to the boat/shore, = fewer cast per hour.