Info re: Boss 665 wide 2-speed

[Uncle Russ]

I think I posted on this here (although it might have been elsewhere) that I managed to break my brand new 665 2-speed. I talked to Tracy Melton where I had bought it and he said he would take care of it. And I have no doubt he would have, but I decided to send it back to Accurate. They were very busy and I did not get a new one until a month later. But it did arrive. They have not torn down my reel yet but have promised to let me know what happened. Matt theorizes that since I cranked the drag preset up as high as I could (to nearly 50 pounds of drag) and then had great trouble forcing the lever forward, that I may have compressed a washer inside or something like that. I have no idea, since I have trouble making our can opener work properly. If so, I guess it makes sense that you should never force anything, but then the manual (or what passes for a manual with Accurate), literally tells you to crank up the drag as high as you can. I figure an old fart like me should not be able to break any Accurate on earth, but I guess I did.

Kil was absolutely right in that it has complete freespool even at the heaviest settings I reached just before killing my first one. (Actually the reel was still fishable and held its drag. It just croaked like a sick frog and the clicker didn't click.

So that was interesting. More interesting to me was that tonight I spooled the replacement up with 300 yards of JB 130 hollow (yes, I know it is overkill) and got it on really, really, really tight and hard. I could easily have fitted another 100 yards onto the spool. Earlier, I had put 300 yards of 100 pound Power Pro on the same reel, only a single speed and had lots left over. So I am thinking you could probably fit close to 500 yards of JB 80 pound hollow on the reel.

Something that will come as no surprise to the more experienced salts on this board was that when I finally got it through my dull brain to spool it up by cranking in low gear, it really helped keep my arms from falling off. However, it hurt enough that if I ever have to respool the 900 yards of 130 on the ATD50W I bought through T.J., I will drown myself or hire someone else to do it--to spool the reel that is, not not to drown me!

I am going to make the 665 my chunking reel for my first two trips by strapping it on a Calstar/Accurate 760H, then if it proves inadequate, I will use the 50 wide. The way old Uncle Russ's luck runs, I will hook the largest yellowfin the Gulf has ever produced and have it spool the little reel and spit in my face.

I don't think I will ever try more than 35 pounds of drag on this reel again, given what happened before. I anticipate when I do some tests tomorrow night, I will max it out at 30-35, at which point the lever will become too stiff to push easily, and at that time, I will not push for more. (I never intended to fish it that heavy anyway, I assure you.) Later, I may replace the 130 with 80 hollow. In any case, I don't intend to cast with it, although I do have a 700H for it.

Russ

[Uncle Russ]

Not a good update. I spooled the reel up last night and tonight I verrrrry carefully increased the drag until it pulled about 28 pounds at strike. Then, when I moved the lever all the way forward, with the click on, the clicker alternately worked and then stopped clicking. I checked the drag at that point and it was about 32 pounds. Then, I brought the reel upstairs and when I just reeled it around with the clicker off, it sounded slightly rougher than when I spooled it. Not like the first one--that was horrible, but I have decided I cannot live with this reel. For the price, if it's that delicate, I dont' want it. I have contacted both Accurate and Melton to see what I need to do to add some cash and get an ATD 12.

I am not saying it's a bad reel. I am not qualified to make that judgment--and Accurate is a fine company with great service and products. But I am telling you what I have experienced with just 2 reels, and I don't want to worry about it.

By the way, I ordered this reel before they were available, by phone. Tonight, I looked at the Melton catalog (not Accurate) and it says maximum drag of 25 pounds at strike. I am not griping about the amount of drag--just the seeming delicacy.

Russ

[TeamOso]

WHo makes the atd 12?
sounds like some bad luck...those sure look like nice reel tho

[gman]

accurate ATD 12, ATD is there big game series

[Uncle Russ]

Actually, I am trying, in spite of frustration, to be level-headed about it. I am hesitant to be too critical, because maybe that's the way smaller 2-speed lever reels are supposed to be. Maybe you are not supposed to pull their what approaches to maximum drag with the clicker on. But that surely does not bother the 50Wide when it is locked down. I just don't know. Maybe it's me. I certainly have not found anyone else having trouble with the reel on any of the boards, and the 870 has been out for some time and I hear nothing but praise.

Russ

Russ

[Uncle Russ]

I think a really good shrink would say that one sign of mental instability is creating a new post on a fishing bulletin board and then replying repeatedly to yourself. But get this: I quote from the Accurate 665 Users Manual:

"Note: Because the Boss Magnum reels are equipped with TwinDrag Technology, the drag pressure you can apply is unlimited. Feel free to crank up the drag pressure to your desired setting."

This is what is so weird.

Russ

[LT1]

I have not heard of the same issue with the 870. 870 can get 30+ pounds of drag at its limits--Not sure why one would be able to hit its upper ranges while the other is not. I will crank my 870 up to its max and see what happens.

LT

[gman]

I cant rave enough on the accurate 665 2 speed, I absolutely love it and it handled a bluefin in short order this weekend...short order! Im able to get about 34lbs maxed out

[gman]

I cant rave enough on the accurate 665 2 speed, I absolutely love it and it handled a bluefin in short order this weekend...short order! Im able to get about 34lbs maxed out

[gman]

I cant rave enough on the accurate 665 2 speed, I absolutely love it and it handled a bluefin in short order this weekend...short order! Im able to get about 34lbs maxed out