I have a 5500C3 that I was just torn down, inspected, and re-greased.

Nothing was wrong with the original internal components.

I think it doesn't cast as far due to the non dis-engaging level wind.

Would BOCA Bearings make a difference?

All advice is appreciated.


Thanks

No, it�ll cast as far as you can cast. Are you thumbing the line on the face of the spool or the metal edge of the spool on the side?

The drag has to be set up so as to just barely feed when rigged too. It�s a 5500, I suggest working on your technique not the reel (again).

I was trying hard casting 5500C3, was not happy with distance.
I don't think my technique is any close to "ideal" or even "good".
And suddenly I started having satisfactory results, real great distance! Only it was not Abu Garcia. It was Daiwa Luna 253 with which my casting distance became unlimited.
Probably, technique is still not great, just the distance.

Cast,


I did not give enough info in my post.


There is another reel I had re-conditioned and that is a Curado CU200 B5:1.
I could never cast my 5500C3 as far as my Curado while both were strung with the same mono.
Tried each on the same rod and lures as well.

On a cast, the Curado's level wind disengages while the 5500C3 does not.

I have never felt the Garcia was hard to control.
My reels are RH models and I am left-handed.
Cast LH and prefer the right side cast button.


I just picked them up yesterday from re-work and checked to see how well the spools will free-wheel.
There is no comparison between the two.
The Curado will free-wheel at least 6X that of the Garcia.

The plan to make the 5500C3 my swimbait reel as my interest in bass fishing has re-emerged.

"No, it�ll cast as far as you can cast". Not very helpful advice there. I can cast as far as I can cast but I have reels that cast farther than each other. You have a reel that has a lot of moving parts during the cast. Bearings won't help because they are the least friction causing component. The only way to cast farther is to reduce the friction of the other parts by wearing/polishing them or replacing them with after market parts. That's about the only option. It's just the design of that reel.It goes back to the 1970's.

How much money do you want to put into it?
I also need to preface this with I am not exactly sure which 5500c3 you have. Just saying.

I have two 5500C3 (3+1) classics which have two break blocks and two 5600 (4+1) rockets which have six break blocks. They have been upgraded to (7+1) and (8+1) respectfully. And no, I did not use BOCA bearings. I did polished the axle with Flitz. This upgrade cost me 60 worth of parts and 45 min of break down, clean, and put back together.


Knowing which style of break blocks you have could be important. I am only running 2-3 break blocks (out of 6) on my 5600�s. On 1/8 oz lures, I run 3. On 3/8� oz and up I run 2. On 1/4 oz, well, that depends on the wind drag of the lure. Most of the time I can get away with 2.

I put 15lb mono on the 5500�s and 20lb kastking braid on the 5600�s.
Currently, my 5500\5600 reels, I can get 40-45 + yards consistently with a 1/4 oz lead weight. 35-40 yards throwing one handed. But I am also have these reels on light weight bait casting rods.

What I have not done is mag�ed a reel yet, so I can�t tell you what that will do.

To answer your question, �I� can get more distance out of my hot rodded Ambassadeurs than I can with my 7.6 ultra light spinning reel set up.

Another thought.

Take your left side plate off and remove the worm gear components.

Go and cast without the worm gear and see what the results are.

Remember, the level wind on the reel is a conveyance and more of an American thing. A lot of Europeans, Britain�s, and distance casters using a 6000 variant, do not use the level winds.