HC2 quantum hypercast

iron hill · Post by **iron hill** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 1:11 am

Hello,
I have a Zebco HC2 Quantum Hypercast open face reel . I bought the reel new around 7 years ago, only used it a couple of times then . My problem is keeping line on it, and it nests up quite often . I've had this problem with it from the get go. I am currently using Stren 14 lb on it, loaded about an 1/8" from the top . Anyone else use this reel. This is probably my most expensive reel, and my most tempermental reel. Any help would be appreciated . Thanks

brendanc · Post by **brendanc** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 1:40 pm

Hi Iron,

First off, welcome to the Bassin' USA message boards. You'll find that our members are very open to helping out their fellow fishermen and always looking to meet another fishing buddy.

As for your question...

What pound test is the reel rated for? I had 2 - HC II XL's and the heaviest line rating I had was for 10 lb test.

Regardless, the problem could simply be within the size of the line you are using. Big line has Big memory and is better suited for bait-casting reels.

"If I get to basic here, I apologize, but I figure better to give more info than not enough."

First recommendation would be to check the recommended specs. The reel should have numbers on it that look something like this:

4:230 6:210 8:195

(I made these up) 1st number is the pound test, second number is how many yards it can hold.

90% of the time the reel works best with the middle number, in the example above, this reel would be perfect with 6lb test, good with 4 & 8.

Let me know if you've got the right reel for 14lb test, if so, I have a couple of other suggestions that could solve the problem.

Coming from Long Island, I spent a lot of time fishing saltwater and I have tried all kinds of spinning reels for heavier line (12-17lb test). I always had to cut back on the amount of line I put on the reel, so instead of an 1/8 inch, I might have left 3/8 of an inch. Every reel spool is different, so the easiest way to know when "enough is enough" is to get the reel about half way full and then stop and open the bail. Do this until you get to the point where the line jumps off the reel, or you feel you have enough line on without passing the 1/8"-1/4" mark.

When it jumps off, strip off about 15' off line and cut off at this point. You should be good to go.

Another problem could be line twist as you are putting the fishing line on. Do you notice the line twisting when you are filling up the spool?

Look forward to hearing back from you...

Brendan

iron hill · Post by **iron hill** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 9:35 pm

Thanks for the advice. I was thinking line size was probably the reason . On my reel it has 3 diffrent sets of #s they are :
220-2/200-15 , 150-4/140-20 , 110-6/100-25
So would it be 220 yrds @ 2lb test, 150 yrds @ 4lb test and so on ? the 2cnd set of numbers ( 200-15 ) are confusing me . Yeah the line was jumping off just like you said, almost threw it in the lake . I've been out of it for a while, half my gear is gone, and half my knowledge. This is my main rig for fishing, and i mostly bass fish . I guess this reel is more of an ultra light ? I'm going to start using a bait caster for for heavier line. I'll try some 6lb on the Quantum and see if that helps. Once again thanks for the help, nice to have a little reassurance.

brendanc · Post by **brendanc** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 9:28 pm

Anytime... those other numbers don't make sense, unless they are referencing some foreign unit of measure?

I think the bait caster will solve your problem...

Happy July 4th!

BC

iron hill · Post by **iron hill** » Sat Jul 05, 2003 4:07 am

Problem solved . Threw some 6lb test on the Quantum, much better. Yeah, I figured out the other #'s were I believe metric, go figure . I got a Bill Dance Quatum signiture series bait caster combo last night, seems like a pretty good combo. Got in some practice with it today, getting pretty good at getting those nests out ! I've always used a spinning reel, so it's taking a little bit to get the hang of it.
Once again thanks for the help, haave a good 4th !

brendanc · Post by **brendanc** » Mon Jul 07, 2003 2:12 pm

Glad to hear things are back to normal.

With the baitcaster, stick with it. They can be frustrating at first, but once you get the hang of them, there is a lot more you can do with them.

One small tip for setting the magnets. When starting out, a good rule of thumb is to tighten or loosen the magnets until the lure you have tied on "just begins to pull line off the reel". This will put you right in the ball park and you can fine tune it from there...

You should adjust the magnets every time you change lures.

BC

johnnie crain outdoors · Thu Jul 10, 2003 6:04 am

Iron Hill.
Brendan gave you some great advice and it appears you're set. I never use line heavier than #12 small diameter on any spinning reel, but I also never use less than ten either, wish they made 11 pound test! Another problem some folks have with spinning reels is not spooling the line on properly. The line should come off the new spool of line in a counter-clockwise rotation, this eliminates line twist when filling the spool. As Bren said, a very common mistake is filling the reel spool with too much line, everyone does it and the same applies to bait casters. We usually fill them while holding the line between our thumb and fingers and that tension flattens the line as it fills the spool. When we cast a couple of times, the spooled lines begins to loosen and over-fills the spool. When casting problems occur sometimes it's a good idea to remove the bait and troll the weighless line behind the boat, let the line peel of the spool from the drag against the water, then reel the line back on, this will eliminate any twists. Good luck with your new bait caster, you'll hate it, then love it. Have a great year. Johnnie Crain

iron hill · Post by **iron hill** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 8:59 pm

Some more great advice ! Thank's ! Yeah my first time out with the baitcaster , the line was nesting up pretty often ( spent more time untangling then fishing ) . Finnally I had to cut out some line , do to another nest . When I did get rid of some line it did help the casting . The line will still loosen up on the spool from time to time , but the bird nest are few and far . Still like my quantum , I've always used a spinner . Using the baitcaster now for those heavier deep divers , and the plastic worm mostly . Once again thanks for the input !