Fishing Line ?

Question
QUESTION: Hi Marc
I recently bought a Daiwa 120 goldcast spincasting reel.
during a fishing trip as I was reeling in my rubber worm I
noticed that the reel was getting stuck for some reason so
I opened the housing and I saw on the line this thing that
looks like those things that you use to clean a pipe with
its a piece of wire about 6" long with all fuzzy fibers around it.
I called the store (Cabelas) but no one could explain what it was I am thinking its something to clean the reel with
if it is why would be placed inside the reel itself.
do you have an Explanation for this and also what would be a good line for this type of reel.
Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Stephen,
I know exactly what you are talking about.  All too well in fact.  My father, rest his soul, loved the push-button spin cast reels and in turn I maintained them.  As far as spin cast reels go, that Gold cast is one of the best ones out there.  

That fuzzy little piece of mini-pipe cleaner is supposed to be in a little slot in the leading edge of the line spool.  That fuzzy stuff takes up the little gap between the spool and reel rotor preventing the line from accidentally getting in there.

Over time, that thing would wear down anyway but it shouldn't have fallen out.  My dad had some of these reels that were 10-12 years old and that never happened. If I were you, I'd take it back and get a new one from Cabela's.

You may be able to tuck that back in yourself.  Or you'd have to order a new spool for it.  It is a component of the spool.  Bottom line is that it shouldn't have fallen out.

One last warning I have for you is with the pick-up pins.  That's the little pin that sticks out of the rotor and catches the line.  If you look inside the rotor, the end of this pin is a plastic base that fits between two metal ears.  It slides in when you push the button and pops out when you start to reel.  That pick-up pin device spins around the main shaft as you reel.  They eventually wear down and you will find that when you start reeling it won't pick up the line anymore.  This is the indicator that it has worn down far enough that it isn't grabbing the line anymore.  My dad fished with me about 120 days a year and would go through one or two per year.  They are easy to replace and I'd get them right from Daiwa in a couple days.  If you fish a lot, I'd have an extra one on hand.

As far as lines go, in general these type of reels are a little tougher on line than other types of reels.  So, I'd recommend a little tougher line like a Trilene XT or the original Stren.  I guess in general a line that boasts abrasion resistance.

All in all, its probably one of the better reels in that spincast category.  The drags are very good.

Good fishing!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi   Mark

I took your advice I went to Cabelas and got a new reel
I used it on Sunday to my surprised I felt I couldn't cast
nearly as far with the new reel!
do you think that if that little fuzzy thing is preventing
me from doing that?

Also when I fish with a plastic worm when I don't put a weight on it on the retrieve I noticed that the worm is spinning around itself in the water I put a little swivel
on its a little better but not the way I would like it
I think its got something to do with the line that when it comes out of the reel is not completely straight.
any suggestions on how to avoid this.
Thank you.
ANSWER: Hi Stephen,

No, that "fuzzy strip" is only to prevent your line from getting behind the spool and into places it shouldn't.  It wouldn't effect casting distance.  Did you put heavier line on it?

A worm spinning around in the water usually means that it isn't rigged perfectly straight.  Some pre-rigged worms like "The Worm" are actually made crooked to cause this roll.  On those we actually use a high quality ball-bearing swivel to reduce the chance of twist. I'd check the rigging of the worm.  Try to get it really straight.  

If you have new line on the reel, it may just need to relax a little as you use it.  Lines like Trilene XT are a little unruly when you first use them.  

What kind of line do you have on the reel?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi
No its the same line that the reel came with 12lb. test
I bought a roll of PLine halo 12lb. seems to be smaller diameter I didn't put it on yet I figured I would  wait untill the original line that came with the reel needed to be replaced any tips on how to put it on?
as far has the worm spinning I rig my own.
I use one of those offset wide angle hooks they are not cheap and I rig it weedless on a yum forked tail dinger 6"
I thought I was doing everything right.

Answer
Yes, that should be OK for a while.  The line the companies put on reels is notoriously stiff line and that could be some of the problem.  I think it probably has some memory.

It should relax a bit as you use it.  

The worm rotating could be from the style of reel.  As the line is reeled in, it revolves putting some revolutions in the lure.  It's not noticeable on lures like crankbaits and other things that offer resistance as you reel.  A weightless worm offers little to no resistance and therefore will be overtaken by the line.

I don't think it will effect the presentation

Good fishing!