Tips

Removing the drum - Match Aerial (replicas) and Aerials

Reproduced from "Centrepins and using them, especially for Barbel fishing - by Paul Whiteing"

Fig 1
Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 2
  1. To remove the drum of an Aerial: grasp the reel in your left hand and grip the smaller knurled wheel (this is on the spoke opposite the drag adjuster) with finger and thumb as shown in fig 1.
  2. Then pull this towards your palm (in the direction of the arrow) against the spring, it is only a small movement, say about 1/10" (2.5mm), as shown in fig 2.
Fig 3
Fig 3
  1. Keeping this spring depressed pull the drum upwards to separate the drum from the backplate as shown in fig 3 - once you've done it once you'll get the knack I'm sure.
  2. To replace the drum of an Aerial: Simply, and gently, locate the drum on the spindle, and push until it clicks. Do not use excessive force, and it may be adviseable to disengage the ratchet if there seems some opposition to it clicking home.