Can We Make The Shimano SLX BETTER??? | Spool High Speed Bearing Reel UPGRADE

The Shimano SLX is one of the best fishing reels around, especially at the $100 price point. But can we make it even BETTER??? I think so! Today we are installing the SLX Full Tune Kit from Spool High-Speed Bearings. Let's see how this goes, fingers crossed!
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#spoolhighspeedbearings #reelupgrade #baitcastertuneup #burlyfishing

[@aaanglers]

What do you guys think of the speed spools? Going to hold up or nah? Like and subscribe for more stuff and things!

[@SanJoseMTB]

based on my experience in the mountain bike world ceramic is definitely the way to go and they seem to last much longer than steel in that application. How long did you have your SLX before you did this. Mine is brand new so I won't be doing any of this for some time but maybe when I tear it down after a year or so.

[@aaanglers]

@@SanJoseMTB 1 year

[@clarkrodgers739]

I know this is an old vid but I wanted to let you know some things I do when I maintenance my reels. I work over a cookie tray to keep parts from falling onto the bionic floor. Also, I use an empty egg carton and place the parts in the spots left to right, top to bottom, in order they were taken off. Then I work backwards on re-assembly. I liked this video and I'm a subscriber. Great content.

[@davewashburn8930]

Good stuff man! I learn as I go also. I’m no pro by any means! Keep’um comin!👊

[@justinkrafton9037]

I know I am like a broken record just started fishing this past year. Thank you pandemic! Since I started using rods I have thought of taking pieces apart to clean. This video really encourages me. Thanks man!

[@aaanglers]

You can do it!

[@MossFishingAdventures]

Good video, I need to try this on one of my older reels.

[@deerhunternate4304]

Love your videos keep up the great work can’t wait for more ice fishing and it’s not supposed to snow fingers crossed we get to go ices fishing this weekend

[@aaanglers]

Fingers crossed!

[@paulglass7268]

Man, what a cool and rad work mat you have there friend. Neat!

[@aaanglers]

So great, much nice

[@nathandenardis3999]

Interesting video!! I didn’t even know they had speed bearings for reels. Keep up the great work!!

[@aaanglers]

🙌

[@lexxb6386]

I just got the SLX DC 70HG from Japan and that thing is fantastic. Overall the SLX series are all great.

[@aaanglers]

Agreed!

[@legionssb777]

Lol does that Japan one cost more? U can get the slx dc off tw... prolly the 70 hg too

[@lexxb6386]

@@legionssb777 the 2020 SLX DC 70 is only available in Japan. It has 2 more bearings and I think they tweaked the DC. It cost about the same. I ordered on Sunday, shipped Monday and arrived Tuesday 10:30am. Crazy, faster than Amazon. Apparently Shimano takes care of the home customers.

[@legionssb777]

@@lexxb6386 lol I was thinking of the 130 hg on tw I thk

[@raybeamon4383]

In the building it’s cold 🥶 But going fishing 🎣 in the Niagara river this weekend 🥶

[@christophershoe9642]

So weird, was looking at purchasing this one earlier today, then I come home and you did a video on it. That's my sign!, Purchasing my first Shimano tomorrow. DX was sold out🙄 Thanks Jeff!

[@aaanglers]

Nice!

[@fatboyoutdoors5446]

i never like videos, but ima like this one good job brother

[@aaanglers]

Thanks man!

[@onehooktwohooks5239]

You motivated me to do this to one of my baitcasters.

[@aaanglers]

🙌

[@edwardreidt1230]

great job enjoyed the video

[@aaanglers]

Thanks!

[@drewoutdoors8628]

I’m to scared to do this on my curado k but I would if I could!

[@russhood6747]

Great video and I gotta say ballsy at least. How does the SLX perform after the upgrade?

[@peterkrouskos3296]

Just bought and SLX DC absolutely love it. I don't think I'll be taking it apart. Maybe I'll give it a test on and old one.

[@aaanglers]

For sure on the oldies!

[@legionssb777]

Being someone who enjoys rc cars and trucks as a hobby, I take everything apart, look at it, fix it, break it, take it apart, upgrade it etc. lol

[@aaanglers]

love it

[@allynpinnello3012]

Easy peasy right! Now just think of all the reels that need to be maintained now!!! Good luck!

[@aaanglers]

Gotta do it! I'll do a full video with all my reels cleaning and maintaining

[@aldeureaux5184]

Good video!

[@chriscampbell1456]

Nice video, only thing I'd have done different is cleaned the gears and added some reel butter to the gears while I had it apart. Kudos on the successful maintenance of your first reel. Seems harder than it really is, just lots of small parts to deal with and keep track of. And yes, sometimes exploded view diagrams are a godsend lol. I clean and grease/oil my reels at least once a month (or sooner, depends how dirty it gets) during fishing season (usually when it's time to re-spool the reel anyways). Good job.

[@castillozr1]

One of my reels is a daiwa cc80 it is a 50 dollar reel, I installed some spool speed bearing, carbon fiber drag washer, and even a clicker drag kit. And let me tel you I love this thing as much as my 150+ dollar reels. Its so smooth.

[@aaanglers]

Nice!

[@castillozr1]

@@aaanglers thanks ! I've tought about doing the same to my dc reels. But I hage heard mixed reviews on those.

[@charlielocke6831]

Dude I got the same reel been thinking about it definitely doing now you know about how far that bad boy cast with the speed barring?

[@Seanbault1983]

You’ll have to post another video down the line letting us know how it holds up, very interesting video sir

[@aaanglers]

Will do!

[@zackdominguez9403]

Totally glad someone else is willing to do that. I'll just watch and see if its ok haha

[@aaanglers]

Haha, smart

[@zackdominguez9403]

@@aaanglers do a follow up and let us know how the performance is. Was it worth it? What to look out for

[@loganbailey1950]

Pretty neat

[@zsfurgison]

Very informative! Thank you. Would you recommend for some older reels or just bite the bullet and buy a new better reel?

[@aaanglers]

Unless you love the reel, id get a new one. This could revive an old favorite!

[@dougp8345]

Should've done the carbon fiber drag upgrade at the same time. Great vid!

[@bcor813]

I take mine apart couple times a year , it's a blast. But i degrease em and grease them back up and oil. Maybe you did too but the video didn't show. I just picked up an slx a couple weeks ago

[@jasonteixeira2197]

Great video, seems very nerve racking 🎣

[@aaanglers]

It was 😂

[@benhightowerv]

I mean I wouldn't buy an SLX and upgrade the bearings right away, cuz, you know, I could just throw a few extra bones and get a DC, but once my SLX wears down some I'll definitely do this.

[@aaanglers]

Yeah same. This SLX is over a year old

[@benhightowerv]

@@aaanglers can't wait to see your update after you've used it awhile

[@timperry6095]

I’d think replacing the bushings with bearings will extend the life of the reel. Good stuff!

[@aaanglers]

It's like night and day

[@richardluzaderjr4415]

Great video. I think this would be a good way to get some more life out of one's favorite reel.

[@aaanglers]

For sure

[@frogmanpipes9561]

Could you also add the carbon drag disk? I think that's what it's called. Like the corrado DC has on the larger gear piece that you pulled out.

[@aaanglers]

I'll see if I can do that

[@frogmanpipes9561]

@@aaanglers awesome. I've been wondering about upgrading my slx dc. I have a curado DC. Thats trashed. I've been wanting to take some of the parts from it and putting them in the SLX.

[@lukerichardson6029]

Where did you buy the replacement springs for the retainer?

[@aaanglers]

I just googled it. There are a ton of companies that sell them and all the other parts

[@mikegreen3628]

Is that light blue rod in the rack behind you a Sellus? If so I’m curious how you like it? I have a chance at picking one up for cranking.

[@aaanglers]

That's an Okuma Serrano. Love it though

[@bestsasco]

Can you compare to the SLX XT if you have one to see if it is better to upgrade the SLX or get the XT that already has the extra bearings and some other features?

[@aaanglers]

From what I here the XT is fully worth it

[@michealkackmeister3692]

Am I last? Great in depth on how to change bearings to improve performance of an already great reel. I'm like you, learn as you go. Put it back the way it comes apart is all it takes.

[@aaanglers]

This is the way

[@legionssb777]

I took apart my abu s max once... lost some piece that popped out... never found it... someday... it still works fine tho caught more big fish without the piece than with it...?

[@aaanglers]

haha, awesome

[@legionssb777]

@@aaanglers it was the same exact piece u lost in the vid...

[@8ballwil]

Still haven't made the jump to baitcasters.

[@aaanglers]

Come to the darkside!

[@frogmanpipes9561]

You could get your feet wet with the abu black max.

[@joshuajadolon3591]

I made the leap a couple of years ago after nearly 40 years of solely using spinning rods. The ABU Promax combo would be a great intro bait caster and it has quality components.

[@oliverm.9066]

the SLX is the next baitcaster I am goin to get. I decided to go with the bass pro qualifier 2 first because it is a little more versatile than the SLX and I am just starting to upgrade my fishing inventory.

[@aaanglers]

Heck yeah man, great reel!

[@noobpyrotech9991]

Now that you guys got into BFS, I assume that you tried the Roro bearings. I have used Speed Spool bearings in my Zephyr but haven't tried Roro so I can't compare the. I wanted to get some more BFS reels but not sure what bearings to get.

[@aaanglers]

Doing a review SOON!

[@noobpyrotech9991]

@@aaanglers Good, I hope you go over the different brands. I got spool speed bearing in a Zephyr and Picisifun Phantom. Both are faster and smoother than my stock Daiwa Costal 150.

[@cadeblain2265]

No bearing oil ?

[@abeshuler9847]

do a rod and reel arsonal bass fiushing stuuf

[@markdavis394]

Gud video man. Always like see n what the pros do to their gear to get better performance out them. You are right....ther is alot of pieces in a reel. Lol

[@aaanglers]

Big learning experience for sure

[@shaunberrier7821]

Just curious if the new bearings came fully greased or if that is the reason the dust seals were off I know in most other bearing applications such as farm or automotive if they come with seals off typically only have a tiny bit of assembly grease but not fully greased or packed

[@aaanglers]

Great question! I have no idea lol... Hopefully I didn't bonehead that one!

[@shaunberrier7821]

@@aaanglers may be a good question to ask company lol you have the practice down now nothing to it to pop them apart and add a couple drops of reel butter or reel oil in them just be careful on taking the seals back out I’ve taken some really cheap reels I started out with several years back and experimented on them by polishing a few rough edges on plastic housing and upgrading bearings they run as good if not better than some of my lews and abu Garcia’s

[@aaanglers]

For sure!

[@justinpimentel8569]

Im going be doing this on my quantums pulse :-)

[@justinpimentel8569]

My SLX im going wait touching it just cleaning for that one

[@aaanglers]

Smart

[@timothyleger4385]

Cool video #burlyfishing mon 😎👌😀

[@fishingwithlee9519]

Hey mate i have a question is a full ceramic bearing better than a hybrid bearing?

[@aaanglers]

I'm no bearing expert, but I found this on google: www.bearingtips.com/ceramic-vs-hybrid-bearings/

[@fishingwithlee9519]

Thank you for the answer so i think for high-speed is the hybrid better and as long as I don't want to fish in the sun, that's probably enough 😂

[@Grimey_Fishing]

Whaddayamean, "buy a new reel?!" Just go watch Debo's videos on baitcaster maintenance, dude!

[@aaanglers]

Haha, I meant if I lost or broke something... which i did lol

[@Grimey_Fishing]

It's ok, @@aaanglers . You went full MacGuyver and fixed it!

[@combofriend4461]

Idk man if I'm cool dropping 50 bones on just bearings, then I'm pretty cool with just dropping more on a new higher end reel...after selling the old one, I feel like I'd definitely be getting better value for the difference out of pocket. I've been big into modding in some other hobbies though, I know sometimes it's just fun to do it anyway

[@frog_boxing_gloves8094]

im getting a slx soon

[@aaanglers]

You'll love it!

[@TheHunterFisher]

I’ve been having a ton of issues with casting distance on my SLX. Seems odd BC it’s not dirty and it’s never gone in the water or dirt. Been thinking about switching out bearing possibly

[@aaanglers]

Try it!

[@fvaldez714]

Your spool tensioner knob might be too tight or you have all your brakes on. I’d also add a drop of oil onto your bearings

[@robertoalonso5765]

Is that the okuma serrano in the Back there? I have the 7’3” MH with the slx and it kills.

[@aaanglers]

YUP! Also a 7'3" MH. I dig it man, it's a sweet combo.

[@williamtomlin192]

A awesome video

[@aaanglers]

Thanks!

[@michaelvilleneuve3312]

I wanna know how the hell you manage to turn the handle so easily and smooth in the beginning of the video? My slx sure as he'll doesn't do that and it's brand new

[@stephenbeasley333]

Would it help to put one of the bearing dust cover/seal on, then oil the bearing and put the second dust cover/seal on? Just curious if that would increase smoothness and bearing life?

[@aaanglers]

I mean... yes... Let's just say I didn't think of it at the time. I opened it back up and did that later

[@jonlejcar5306]

6:12 The worst feeling EVER

[@michael2one]

It didn't look like it spun a lot better with the new bearings. Did it cast a lot better? Notice any improvement in skipping?

[@aaanglers]

The casting was immensely different and better. I don't skip with this reel often, but it can do it pretty well.

[@ExploreMancing]

Please detail size all bearing..

[@ninjakitten2355]

What would be a good heavy rod like for any thing

[@aaanglers]

Dobyns fury magnum heavy all day

[@ninjakitten2355]

@@aaanglers thanks I'll be sure to check it out

[@robertwhite3631]

don't through away the old bearings , they can be cleaned and reused. maybe refresh a older reel. many reels use the same size bearings..

[@aaanglers]

I kept em, good call

[@iowaland7658]

Wonder if i can do the same to my black max baitcaster?

[@aaanglers]

You can!

[@timothyleger4385]

Check out Mudbass Fishing !! He put a set of Spool Speed bearings on a Black Max, and added a 4 3/8" handle, and called it a WINCH MAX !!

[@otroflores91]

The bearings can cost more then a new blackmax

[@okayfishingtrip140]

Thank,s bro 😁✌️✌️🇮🇩

[@HalfDollarHunter]

Clicked on this immediately. No time to waste when it comes to you

[@aaanglers]

Thanks!🙌

[@BrownBaitCo]

I take my reels apart 2 times a month! even my Curados! It is super easy always clean and check reels monthly! I have had my $35 pfluger baitcaster for 6 years it lasted that long because I cleaned it that often!

[@aaanglers]

Nice man!

[@wykidwiscofishing5861]

Ok so one year later was the upgraded bearings worth it? Did they help with performance or casting distance at all?

[@aaanglers]

Absolutely! It is pricey, but they do work really well and hold up. I do annual maintenance on my reels, and it's running smooth as ever.

[@wykidwiscofishing5861]

@@aaanglers glad to hear I just upgraded the bearings in my Curado with this brand and will be testing out this weekend

[@kennethmaiforth6460]

i am no expert but i wonder if the fact that the new berings come with out the side plates on means they may expect you to pack them with your choice of grease or lubricant to reduce wear and friction ? otherwise a very good video ty

[@hammer9856]

They suggest you run them dry, or you can use the special oil they make for their bearings. You use a needle and barely dipped it in a little of their oil and apply it to the bearing (and a do mean a LITTLE). Too much oil will actually impede the bearing lowering your casting distance.

[@d10dozerman2]

Kenneth Maiforth I believe the orange side plates are to be used on the bearings for reels that will be used for saltwater fishing.

[@Army_Outdoors_88N]

If I start taking apart reels it's gonna be a bad day with parts, pieces and shrapnel everywhere....lol

[@randylahey3909]

you mention never having taken it apart. id at least do a throrough clean and oiling before putting new bearings in. a couple drops of oil put new life into my abu garcia revo s. thankfully my curado has needed zero maintenance so far

[@andreasjonsson8075]

I recomend everyone that wants to upgrade their bearings too buy from Daiwa or Shimano. They are quality

[@DrkRydrProductions]

So Smoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooth

[@surphvision]

Are you going to do a comparison video soon?

[@aaanglers]

When my ice goes away I'll put it to use

[@surphvision]

@@aaanglers yeah as soon as I asked the question I saw you mentioned that. Thanks

[@robbuchanan8006]

Any time a take something spring loaded apart I dis assemble inside a large plastic bag, so if it explodes your not chasing parts all over

[@aaanglers]

This is genius, thanks for the tip for next time

[@robbuchanan8006]

Glad I could help

[@robertbrandywine]

Bearing locations: Anti-reverse roller bearing is the "+1" 4 on the handle paddle shafts 3 on the spool shaft 2 on the tensioner 2 on the worm gear shaft 1 between the clutch guard and the clutch plate And there you go, you've got a 12+1 bearing reel.

[@vdubya789]

Love these things in my reel. I put them in my Abu black max baitcaster and it changed the reel and made it soon much smoother. Just have to make sure you put a drop of good oil in each one. It will make a huge difference. Another thing to note is the covers they provide are not required. They advise that if you are using the reel in saltwater conditions you should put them in.

[@aaanglers]

Good to know. I might do an update after I take her apart again

[@jonlejcar5306]

You should've really cleaned, greased, and oiled this thing as well. That alone makes a very used reel feel 10x better.

[@legionssb777]

Yea exactly lol need to get the grease and degreaser...

[@retflo2583]

Do you oil ceramic bearings?

[@Seanbault1983]

@@retflo2583 pretty sure no you don’t which is why he probably didn’t, I’d imagine he put a lot of research into this prior

[@otroflores91]

@@retflo2583 that actually slows them down.

[@dmillz23]

I dropped that little clicker for the drag before. Not a good time looking for a half a grain of rice!

[@aaanglers]

The worst!

[@appelmoes6914]

🔥🔥

[@WestMichiganJigCo]

Pretty sure we have the same glasses

[@christianflores7583]

I wasnt too particularly impressed with spoolspeed bearings the abec 7 ceramics were kinda rough, i compared them to bulk abec 7s i got on aliexpress and they were damn near the same difference was the bulk bearings were about $2 a piece, i simply degreased and used high speed oil on the stock slx spool bearing and casted further than with the aftermarket bearings. Only time i buy these kind of bearing is to replace bushings in reels where bearings should be. Spool bearings are worth spending money only on older or mid range reels, higher end reels already come with good spool bearings. I put pricy hedgehog bearings in my 2012 antares and yet again the stock bearings degreased and oiled casted further. In midrange reels sds custom, rays, or roro spool bearings are worth it, especially for bfs reels the micro ceramic bearings will help cast lighter lures. On my slx mgl i replaced the bushings with standard ss bearings, then put roro bearing in the spool which actually outperformed the stock bearings degreased and oiled.

[@eddyprado830]

Do you have a link or part# for the Ali bearings?

[@sethcornelius875]

We call that piece the oh crap clip. Oh crap where did that thing shoot off to.

[@aaanglers]

Never was there a truer statement

[@GFWoodchuck]

Now that it's been a few years. What's your opinion on the matter?

[@aaanglers]

Still running it to this day. Works great!

[@landothemando6901]

Ooooh, the ice!!!😫😥😢

[@samuelsfishing7785]

lets go

[@aaanglers]

🙌

[@hardknoxs]

My kit didn’t come with green covers, only the orange ones. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@aaanglers]

Weird

[@angelsaavedra8832]

Yo Jeff screw that haha have great patience I would have lost my shit within first 10 minutes. Was a good vid though

[@aaanglers]

I did lose it haha

[@angelsaavedra8832]

@@aaanglers I figured no way you couldn't haha. If you can man make some more vids like this it was pretty cool

[@kaedenpruittoutdoors2207]

But see if you spend 100 buck on the reel then 60 on the bearings then buy the DC or the XT

[@andriykushnirchuk5725]

Hey

[@aaanglers]

Hey!

[@parkerbuss3856]

wassap i love it

[@aaanglers]

Thanks!

[@beardedchinnfishing6074]

Did you notice any difference in proformance

[@aaanglers]

Yup, much better

[@woefman9467]

Watching as I type , there is alot curado owners, here is a video idea, buy a curado and see if your slx bearing upgrade just turned your slx into a curado????

[@legionssb777]

Don’t forget the bearing retainers! U gotta keep ur balls covered!

[@aaanglers]

Gotta do it

[@fishingthe262]

You should invest in a reel cleaning kit. Regular maintenance, fresh oil and grease and those reels will run forever....

[@aaanglers]

Agreed

[@Jayson_Fishing]

Does anybody else notice the buddha sculpture in the background???

[@paulglass7268]

The legendary Buddah is an institution at the Bury office

[@genephillips3205]

Those poor bearings were crying for grease 😭🙂

[@LONGMANMY]

im pretty sure ceramic bearing dislike grease

[@DrkRydrProductions]

Spare Wire Aka Paper Clip 😂😂😂😛😛

[@aaanglers]

The perfect material

[@DrkRydrProductions]

@@aaanglers ❤❤❤👊

[@Ds-xi2sq]

No bearing greese in those......!

[@aaanglers]

There is now lol

[@Ds-xi2sq]

@@aaanglers I should send you my shimano curado dc 200 and do another video...I can't bring myself to crack it open...lol...it's brand new.....want to make some money i'll send it

[@seanrafferty3062]

You didn't even answer the question in the video title. Did it make the reel better? What's the verdict?!

[@aaanglers]

It’s a matter of opinion, but yes… in my opinion. I didn’t get to fish it for a few weeks after this. But I liked it a lot

[@seanrafferty3062]

@@aaanglers I think the same. I really like them. I find that I can cast lighter baits easier because there's less resistance to get the bearing moving. And you can bomb heavier baits like a frog. I have them in 2 reels my self, and I just ordered the xs spool speed bearings for my curado.

[@jakenunes-mq1sc]

You should of oiled them before putting them in

[@aaanglers]

Hinsight is 20/20. I took it back apart later

[@biggrimm7505]

Usually your suposed to pack bearings with grease so I'm thinking it's not gonna last to long

[@andriykushnirchuk5725]

Am I first

[@HalfDollarHunter]

Yes. That honor is yours

[@aaanglers]

You did it!

[@jaydenderrickson5311]

I think he should get something