The following correspondence with a customer took place in May and represents extensive and, I believe, very scientific testing he performed to determine if there was a benefit in switching to ceramic bearings.

Rich... The results of my test were as follows:

Stock bearings:

1/4oz. trap - 100.2 ft. 1/2oz. trap - 110.7 ft. 30+ - 114.3 ft.

Abec 7 bearings:

1/4oz. trap - 120.1 ft. 1/2oz. trap - 140.9 ft. 30+ - 148.5 ft.

Abec 7 ceramic bearings:

    1/4 oz. trap - 131.6 ft.  1/2 oz. trap - 152.0 ft.   30+ - 161.1 ft.

These are measurements of the linear distance from where the bait was thrown to where it landed, not the amount of line that was thrown off the reel (measured with a measuring wheel).

The test was performed on the driving range tee at the golf course. It was laser leveled a month ago, so it is perfectly flat (not throwing uphill or downhill).

I took ten warm up casts with each set of bearings then made twenty casts with each bait on each set of bearings and averaged the results.

There was little to no wind but the casts were made in two directions just in case.

The tests were done with a Shimano Curado B 5:1 spooled with 10 lb. X-tra strong P-line on a G Loomis 7' crankbait rod model CBR847C.

My oil and grease were Quantum Hot Sauce.

The reel was set up just like I was fishing, not like I was in a casting tournament. Two brakes were on and the cast control knob was adjusted to where the lure would drop and hit the ground with no backlash.

Thanks, Mike

Mike, your results appear to be significant. Were you expecting these improvements ?

Would you recommend the ceramics ?

Rich

Rich....If someone could afford ceramics in all their reels I would say yes, but for the average Joe I would say the Abec 7 would be adequate.

I would highly recommend putting ceramics in a crankbait reel or anything you wanted optimum performance out of. For the majority of my reels I am OK with not having the extra distance, but it is nice on those deep diving crankbaits.

I noticed the biggest difference towards the end of the cast when the bait started slowing down. The ceramics don't seem to slow as fast.

Mike

Mike, I appreciate your work on the test. I have to disagree about the cost. I sell the bearings you used in your reel (ceramic Abec 7) for the same price as the steel Abec 7

Bearings.

Rich

Rich... If the bearings you sent me are the same cost then it is a no brainer. I would definitely use them. I have several people that have cast my reel with those bearings that want them in their reels. Let me know about the ordering info...

Thanks, Mike                                                                                                     

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