Redband 45 LH Owners Manual

REDBAND 45™ LH INSTRUCTION MANUAL

CONGRATULATIONS:

We thank you very much for your purchase of the most technologically advanced centerpin reel on the planet. Redband’s™ innovation, ultra-light startup, and top quality materials make us the number one choice for anglers who demand the best in performance.

The following guide will detail how to get the most out of your new Redband 45™ centerpin reel. Each element is described by its name and function. 

IMPORTANT: Read these instructions carefully before using your reel to ensure proper understanding of its function.

All Redband 45™ centerpins are designed to cast monofilament or thick braided lines best. The reel has a shallow spool, so it is not necessary to put backing on before your mainline. If you choose to use a backing, we recommend filling the reel ⅓ of the way with backing of your choice. The last ⅔ should be your monofilament mainline. Leave about ⅛ of an inch gap to the end of the spool.

Tie your line with a uni knot around an anchor point in the spool. The reel should be wound counterclockwise, you can leave the clicker on when doing this. Line will spool into the reel on the bottom side. Use your fingers to move the line left to right to fill the spool up evenly. You will not need to do this when fishing, just the first time filling the reel.

Never reel the opposite direction, the nut will self loosen rather than self tighten.

The Air Brake allows you to eliminate the main disadvantage of centerpin reels. The limited casting range of light weight presentations, and frustration of backlash. The blades located on the edge of the spool catch air at high rpm’s, slowing the spool at the point in which it would normally begin to backlash. The blades do not slow the spool down at all at low RPM’s experienced when drifting a float down river.

The wider the vent holes are made, the greater the braking force. To adjust this, loosen the screw and slide the plate to open or close the vents. When at the desired opening, tighten the Air-Brake nut to secure its location.

Our team recommends leaving the Air Brake open all the time, unless casting extremely light weight presentations.

The spool tension knob controls how fast the spool will spin. It is the larger of the two golden knobs located on the backplate of the reel. When starting out, adjust the knob to the point where your presentation falls only when the rod is slightly shaken. This will be the correct amount of tension to cast long distances without need for perfect finger pressure on the spool.

When using the trotting technique, the tension knob should be set low enough to achieve the desired friction-free drift. Often, users will set the tension to the speed of the current, to maintain perfect float speed and casting aid. 

With correct technique, this reel is capable of casting 4-5 grams, as well as over an ounce. However, when learning to cast a Redband™ centerpin we suggest starting with 12-16 grams. 

The technique begins with understanding that a centerpin cast should not spin the spool all at once like a bait-caster, but smoothly from the backstroke and accelerating up to the release. The following exercise is how we teach beginners to cast a Redband 45™ centerpin.

Learn to cast: Start with a weight of 12-16 grams, and set the tension knob so it holds the weight, and starts to rotate only when the rod is slightly shaken. Open the Air-Brake vents fully.  Place your finger on the spool to prevent it from spinning. Without letting go to cast, pull the rod back 180 degrees smoothly, and just as smoothly forward. Repeat this movement, without casting, until the weight moves smoothly in a circular path without sudden and sharp movements. When this is accomplished, try a short and smooth cast. Let your hand go at the back of the cast, and smoothly repeat the motion. With the optimal setting of the brakes and the correct technique for accelerating the spool, finger braking is required only when the bait is at the highest point of trajectory.

The brake pad (K) is a second contact point that is activated by applying pressure on the spool when fighting a fish. Because of added friction, you can land large fish on light tackle much easier. The gap width (G) between the spool and the brake pad (K) should be set by the user. The goal is for the spool to touch the brake pad at the slightest finger pressure in the direction of arrow (C), but a small gap remains when in free running mode. The adjustment of the gap width (G) is achieved by adding or removing plates (19).

Turn the knurled nut (1) (figure 2) anticlockwise and take the spool off. Press in the direction of arrows (figure 4) to remove the pawl (2) and the lever (3).

Loosen the nut (5) and take the Air-Brake Slide (6) off (figure 2). Clean the surfaces and carefully remove dirt from the grooves of the pawl (2) and the lever (3). Give one drop of oil in the bushing of the pawl axle (no grease there!).

Wipe clean the drag washer (16) and the screws (13). Clean and oil the friction surfaces, then reassemble the handles in reversed order. Oil the thread of the nut (17) (Figure 3). 

Using a blunt instrument, apply pressure in the direction of the arrow (M) and take off the rubber plug (21) (Figure 3). Wipe the ball bearings (12) taking care that no dirt gets inside, and apply 1-2 drops of oil to each ball bearing. 

Reassemble the reel in reversed order.

Before storing for a long time, the reel should be dried in open air and all the surfaces should be wiped clean using a slightly oiled cloth. The reel should be stored in the neoprene pouch in  a dry place.

Do not store the reel in a plastic bag!

Always rinse and clean after using in the salt!

Caution! When casting or fighting large fish keep your fingers well away from handles and spool openings, otherwise a fast rotating spool may cause injuries. Never drop the reel on hard surfaces, since a heavy impact may cause deformations of rel parts or scratches on the spool rim. To avoid finger injuries, any scratches should be removed by polishing. Minor superficial damages do not affect the performance of the reel.

Redband Reels™ provides customers with a limited 5 Year Warranty.

For the period indicated, Redband Reels™ will, at its option, repair or replace and return the covered items found to be defective in material or workmanship at no charge except for shipping cost. Redband Reels™ will have no other obligation and will not be liable for incidental or consequential damages. Redband Reels™ makes no implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for any period beyond the stated duration of each Limited Warranty. This Warranty does not cover damage by addition or alteration of the product, accidental damage or loss, abuse, failure to provide reasonable and necessary maintenance or normal expected wear. Damage that is determined to be of this nature will be repaired at consumer's expense.