Issues With New Spinning Combo

General Fishing Discussion
1

So, this morning I finally pulled out a brand new Battle 4000 combo my son gave me for fathers day. I did some casting from the bank this am and kept getting knots in the line. As I casted I would occasionally feel knots going through the eyes. They were so bad I had to cut the line and retie.

It originally happened to me when I first tested it out after spooling up with some Trilene XL 14 lb mono. So when I was out on the boat last week I let all the line out behind the boat and reeled back in thinking it might be something about the way I spooled the line.

I made sure I did not load it up too much and left about 1/8 of space on the spool and I’m casting about a 1 1/2 oz plug.

For as long as I’ve been fishing, I hate I have to post such a newbie type question, but I can’t recall ever running into something like this.

If I didn’t know there are probably thousands of these combos out there already I would swear the first eyelet diameter might be a bit small to allow the line to go freely through it.

I’m stumped. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Thanks

'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki

2

They do tend to make wind knots. I have not had too much trouble however, I have several of them.
Line twist will do it I think. Make sure you flip the bail closed by hand rather than by cranking the handle.
Never reel against the drag. Otherwise make sure the line is wound fairly tight on the spool.
Sounds like you don’t have too much line on the spool. That would have been my first suggestion.

2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
President, Summerville Saltwater Anglers

3

HOPE THIS HELP http://www.bishfish.co.nz/tips/linetwist.htm

4

What type of plug? Is it rolling maybe?

5

It’s a top water popper (Storm Chug Bug) that I have used for years. It’s weighted and doesn’t roll at all.

I do use bait casting type reels (Amb 6500C) 90% of the time, but I thought I had all that covered, line tight on the spool, I close the bail by hand etc… I’m heading out on the boat this evening and see how it goes. I’m going to cut the plug off and let out the line one more time, reel it in and then add a small barrel swivel in line this time.

Thanks!

'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki

6

The Penn Battle is the WORST I have ever owned as far as creating wind knots/backlashes. The lower end Fierce does a lot better job. I will never buy a Battle again.

7

I’ll second RADDADDY.

I have two battle 4000’s. One is bad with wind knots. The other is worse. I’ve tried different lines at different weights. Same results.

My Fierce 6000 is great however.

Mako 1901 Inshore-Honda 130
10% of the people catch 90% of the fish.

8

Did you spool it yourself? Even if you got it on properly and not too much line on the reel, you will get wind knots if the mono is somewhat old and the memory is causing loops that knot. I generally do not like pen for other reasons but loaded properly with new mono, you should not have this problem.

You might be better off with braid. Keep you casts low and like mentioned, flip the bail to engage.

big dog

9

No problems with the Battles that I have as long as the spool is over full and close the bail by hand (this goes for every other reel too). One particular reel gets at least 100 casts every trip. Leave about 1/16 below the spool lip.

Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160 w/ 90 ETEC “JB3”
Native Manta Ray 14

10

After reading I searched, seems the 4000 battles have a problem with the spool oscellation or something. They seemed to have fixed the problem with a larger diameter line roller? Also read all other models don’t have any isues in design. If Penn is offering a replacement, TAKE IT! Couldn’t be any worse.

11

i have two 4000’s and two 3000’s. I love them so far. I put the line one myself. I always put the spool on the floor with the label end facing up. Then i run the line threw a damp towel to help seat the line. Not a single wind knot on any of them and my 10yr old uses them as much or more than i do. I love them so far.

12

Agreed, I bought 2 Battles, one seized up so bad I couldn’t turn it with a pair of locking pliers (washed every time I ever used it). The other I have to pull hard to get the drag loose before using it. I bought a Fierce and it seems way better and cheaper. Honestly they look the same with different paint job.!

191 Bay Scout

13

I have not had that problem with my 4000 combo. It may be the way the line was put on.

14

I have a Battle 3000 & 6000 and have never had that problem. I only use Braid on them, I have never put mono on either of them.

15
quote:
Originally posted by king of the pier

HOPE THIS HELP http://www.bishfish.co.nz/tips/linetwist.htm

That is a pretty informative article! Thanks for sharing!

I also own a few Battle 4000’s and have not had any issues other than the paint chipping a little but I hear they have fixed that already! You should be able to reduce and eleminate your twist with all this proper info!

Fishing Nerd

“you win some, you lose some…but nothing beats getting some!”

16
quote:
Originally posted by areeldrag

I have a Battle 3000 & 6000 and have never had that problem. I only use Braid on them, I have never put mono on either of them.

Same here… and my 6000 has been put to the test more than once. A few 50#+ AJ’s and a bunch of their little brothers, 300#+ shark, rays, big cuda’s, king and Cobia…

Reel is holding up just fine.

Wind knots have not been an issue either.

17

The 3000 model that I have got them real bad at first. It has braid on it. It wasn’t over spooled but after cutting some line off from knots and normal wear and tear it seems to be doing way better. I’ve always used spinning reels and it was really frustrating since I normally didn’t have that much of a problem.

18

I once again let the line out behind the boat and reeled it back in, but even before that I was not seeing any indication of line twist. I am still seeing wind knots.

I called Penn and they did confirm complaints of wind knots on the Battle 4000, but he didn’t have much to offer other than the normal preventative measures for line twist as others have noted. He did however say that I could send it back to their Philly location with receipt and a letter of dissatisfaction and someone would call me to work something out.

Before I go that route I decided to remove the line and I dropped it off at Lake World, a local shop to have them spool the reel and give it one more shot.

Just this morning, I did some searching online. Some quotes:

"I had the 3000 and 4000 Battle. I found the 3000 superior to the 4000 in many ways. But they both left a gap at the top of the spool as you say. Nothing you can do will get rid of it.

I bought a battle 4000 last year. Absolute worst wind knots imaginable. You have to substantially under spool to cut down on the wind knots. I would trade it in. There are better options such as the spinfisher v. If you’re never gonna get splashed get a shimano saros or Stradic

I’m having a problem with wind knots on the 4000. I’m not sure if the braid was properly wound in or something else went wrong. I do see a gap on the upper portion of the spool where line did not reach the top evenly.

Bought a new penn battle 4000 combo and have used it twice. I get wind knots on just about every cast – it is unuseable. Almost have to replace new braid already – guessing I’ve lost 50- 75 yards…

I never, ever, have problems with windknots. This reel is a windknot machine

Earlier this year i had a Battle 4000 and had that spooled with 20lb PP braid…NOTHING BUT WINDKNOTS! Theres gotta be a QC issue here or maybe a bad batch of battle reels out there. If it werent for the windknot issues, these Penn Battle reels are the best at its price point."

Obviously, there is always g

19

I only have the 4000, and I have tried 10,15, and 20 lb braid. Unless I use a 1/2 oz or heavier weight or lure, wind knots are a constant problem. I use it as my Carolina Rig setup for cut bait on charters, and it’s fine, but I’ll never buy another one.

quote:
Originally posted by striperskiff

I once again let the line out behind the boat and reeled it back in, but even before that I was not seeing any indication of line twist. I am still seeing wind knots.

I called Penn and they did confirm complaints of wind knots on the Battle 4000, but he didn’t have much to offer other than the normal preventative measures for line twist as others have noted. He did however say that I could send it back to their Philly location with receipt and a letter of dissatisfaction and someone would call me to work something out.

Before I go that route I decided to remove the line and I dropped it off at Lake World, a local shop to have them spool the reel and give it one more shot.

Just this morning, I did some searching online. Some quotes:

"I had the 3000 and 4000 Battle. I found the 3000 superior to the 4000 in many ways. But they both left a gap at the top of the spool as you say. Nothing you can do will get rid of it.

I bought a battle 4000 last year. Absolute worst wind knots imaginable. You have to substantially under spool to cut down on the wind knots. I would trade it in. There are better options such as the spinfisher v. If you’re never gonna get splashed get a shimano saros or Stradic

I’m having a problem with wind knots on the 4000. I’m not sure if the braid was properly wound in or something else went wrong. I do see a gap on the upper portion of the spool where line did not reach the top evenly.

Bought a new penn battle 4000 combo and have used it twice. I get wind knots on just about every cast – it is unuseable. Almost have to replace new braid already – guessi

20

StriperSkiff if you are still having issues please PM meet. Ill take care of it for you. Thanks

AFFILIATED WITH PENN FISHING TACKLE [http://www.pennreels.com/]