Having a problem with fly line getting stuck in reel

[broadhead]

I started to smack some fish with the bug wand this year. I need to learn some new chit. But three times now I have had the line somehow sucked in between the cassette and the frame on the reel. I don't know exactly how this is happening. Maybe I have a lemon - it is an old Orvis Mach IV in 8wt.  I have read rumors on the internet that this reel may have problems.

Anyone got any tips? If not a recommendation on a cheap ass reel? I would like to spend less than 150.

I did land this dirty chum day before yesterday but it was a fun time learning.

[Shoofly09]

I would guess its not 100% "pushed in" or seated on the reel.    I've thought I locked mine down before only to have it come off the reel when I had line out and I was standing in the river.    Wasn't fun.

[nwwanderer]

Might look for a Lamson Konic, have had decent luck even with crazy fast bonefish.  They stand behind there stuff too

[Smokepole]

Yes switch to a Lamson reel.  Great quality and price.  And it won't chew up your line!   

[jackelope]

I’d buy a Redington Behemoth for around that money and not look back. I’ve got a couple $150 Lamsons and multiple Behemoths. If you’re fishing the 8 weight for chums and bigger fish, the drag on the Behemoth will run circles around the Lamsons. 

[jackelope]

I would guess its not 100% "pushed in" or seated on the reel.    I've thought I locked mine down before only to have it come off the reel when I had line out and I was standing in the river.    Wasn't fun.

Simple way to figure this out for sure. If the spool wasn’t fully seated, the drag won’t work. It’ll just free spool.

[broadhead]

Thanks everyone. I should definitely make sure it isn't operator error. I appreciate the recommendations as well.

[jackelope]

When this happens to me, I’ve decided it’s usually because I’m not reeling the line back onto the reel tightly. It causes kind of a birds nest in the reel and I assume because I’m using cheaper reels, there’s less in the way of tight tolerances between the spool and the reel frame, so there’s a gap big enough to allow the line to get in there where it shouldn’t be able to get to. It really only ever happens to me with 1 reel. Redington Run 3 weight.  I’d imagine with an 8 weight reel and assumedly an 8 weight line, that gap would have to be pretty large. That or maybe some bushings or bearings are worn out allowing the spool to not fit tightly causing the gap.

[broadhead]

I can say that the cassette was in place as the drag was working just earlier because I set that before trolling. Then I switched to casting and when the battle begins it's chaos. I'm pretty sure the reel is the problem. I'm going to get a new one. Maybe second hand but new to me at least. Or maybe for Christmas. If that got stuck on a big fish over 12lbs it could cascade into further issues. Or even a sea lion getting a free meal. Which happens every now and then anyway

[Happy Gilmore]

Sometimes too much backing will put the uneven line in piles then force it into the gaps. Lamson is good and cheap. I have 8s and 6s no problems

[GASoline71]

I tried an Allen ATS "3 series" (3 series is for 8 and 9wt) a few years ago on my 8wt and love it.  Cost about $125 bucks. I used to have the line catch in the reel on the older model Okum fly reel i had.  But that could have been to the backing being uneven.  However, I have yet to have it happen with the Allen.

Gary