Daiwa SS Whisker Tournament 1600 spin fishing reel how to take apart and service

[@seanwoodburn2616]

Wow... The SS Whisker Tournament has a pretty amazing history. They are the only spinning reel that I fish regularly. In the U.S. they come in four sizes, the 700, 1300, 1600 and 2600. As you mentioned, the numbers are arbitrary. They found fame decades ago as one of the premier dropshot reels on the Bassmasters Tour. In some ways they might be considered obsolete but..... Daiwa tried to kill this reel at one time. Production resumed due to consumer demand, (LOTS of flats guides and bass fishermen loved this reel), but went from Japan to Taiwan when manufacturing restarted. Some folks claim that the Japanese made reel is superior but I own a lot of both and find the new reels are fine. The 2600 dominated fixed spool distance casting competition in 3/8 oz and 5/8 oz plug events (7.5g and 18g in Europe), until very recently. This was due to AMAZING line lay and reasonably good spool geometry. Top competitors use a teflon aftermaket spool that holds LESS line and has an 11° cone. They were light for their size back in the day at 385 grams or so stock. It is arguable that the marginal success of newer reels in 3/8oz and 7.5g single hand competition is mainly due to weight. The Ci4 Stradic in the 4000 size is emerging as a popular choice. I have it and think the line lay is inferior. Wicked fast though and easier to cast with one hand. With a teflon spool the Stradic is over $300.00 USD. As a fishing tool it is more delicate than the Daiwa. The 2600 size is still very popular in the UK as a carp reel and even in 7.5g andc18g distance competition. You can still buy high performance afternarket parts and spools in Europe and the UK. The spools are optimised capacity-wise for .18mm and .25mm diameter lines used in competition. Distances are best when the spool is very full but compromised by added weight of line so the spools are built with the aforementioned 11° cone and JUST enough room for line. As a longcasting reel absolutely nothing compares until you spend at least three or four times the money. Not my opinion but a documented fact by virtue of decades of proven use in competition. Next meaningful upgrade is the Shimano Ci4 Surfleader with no drag. Almost $500.00USD with tournament spool. A Daiwa QD 45 Basia or Shimano Aero Kisu in it's various iterations will set you back about $1000.00 USD for a 10-15% increase in performance IF you are a really skilled caster. At around $100.00 for the 2600 it is a bargain. The drag is worth mentioning. It is really smooth, better than most. Good enough for skipjack or mahi mahi. The only gripe about the SS Whisker Tournament series is really a non-issue. The AR is not instant. They are a reasonably tough reel but not in the class of the Daiwa BG or Penn Battle. To be that tough would compromise distance potential due to added weight. The slightly longer spool may also be more prone to damage too. These are fantastic reels for bonefish and other flats fishing. I think they are best used where you need a medium sized longcasting reel...great for most surf fishing especially on sandy beaches where the reel is not getting bashed. I have pushed mine to ridiculous extremes...small tarpon, permit and sailfish on the 2600 and they just keep going. The 1600 and 2600 size are my go-to reels for lure fishing striper and California halibut. Great steelhead and salmon reel for clients averse to baitcasters too. Sorry for the longwinded post Dennis! I think they are a special reel with a fun history. Thanks for your always awesome content! Cheers!

[@cjmoundalexis2567]

Sean, Thanks for your wonderful additional insights to this reel and many others ! Fascinating info... Tight lines, Cons

[@seanwoodburn2616]

@@cjmoundalexis2567 Kind words.. I love a story but sometimes fear I go too far!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Wow - Thanks for all of the additional information Sean. I know it is a beautiful reel and that it is right there with the Stradic in design and use. I was unaware of the aftermarket spools and the reel's use in long casting events. Thanks for taking the time to add to the story - Dennis

[@peterkerns8343]

Sean Woodburn, the new Penn reels are nothing to write home about. I bought a new Penn fierce that started making a grinding noise while spooling it up with line. I also had a Penn battle and the main gear crapped out after 4 months of striped bass and bluefish fishing. The new Daiwa BG reels are better than the Penn's, but still not extrodinary. There's a reason these vintage reels last for 20 to 30 years. They are rock solid. A 1,000 dollar daiwa saltiga wouldn't even last 20 years.

[@seanwoodburn2616]

@@2ndChanceTackle You continue to bring the most interesting gear to your bench to share. I have just been lucky to have used some of it! I ALWAYS pick up something new from you...even with reels I have been tuning for years.

[@kevinmcnally700]

Thank you for this excellent video. I own a dozen or so 2600, 1600, 1300 and 700 SS Tournaments. Your videos will allow me to keep them running smoothly!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad to help! Please stay watching and stay well - Dennis

[@C.Rig21]

Let me just say that for any viewers that might be apprehensive about sending your reel into Dennis, please don't hesitate. I have sent several of my reels into him and he provides excellent service. I have a Daiwa whisker 1300 that I will be sending to him soon for service. As you can tell on this video it is a complex reel. I can service my Penns and BPS reels but this one is tricky.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks for the pat on the back! Dennis

[@peterschwartz942]

Thank you for this video, I never would have reassembled the anti-reverse mechanism in the right place without it. Since coming across your channel you’re my new reel repair favorite. Great walk through and commentary, a calm guide to each reel’s intricacies. Thanks for the video!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad it helped and thank for for watching. I appreciate the note and the kind feedback. Best wishes - Dennis

[@timothyhernandez1298]

Thanks for the reel repair and knowledge of the reel I love the lightness and toughness of this reel it is a favorite of mine keep up the good work .l enjoy your video’s and expertise. God bless

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thank you for the note. That reel is a Nicene. Happy to share the service procedures with you - Dennis

[@rbiel100]

Great instruction thank you much. With neither my eyes nor my hands working like they used to - I will leave repair of my Daiwa's to you! Thanks a bunch

[@christopherjenkins2373]

I understand the eye and hand problem very well. I have over 135 reels to service and maintain. I have Stargardt’s Disease that has taken all my center vision and I have neuropathy in both hands. I don’t let it stop me from my rain rage reel hobby or from surf fishing. Stay with it as there are always ways to overcome your limitations!

[@rbiel100]

@@christopherjenkins2373 absolutely hang in there too - getting old isn't for the young!

[@christopherjenkins2373]

@@rbiel100 That’s a good one! I like to think growing old is better than the alternative!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are welcome! Best wishes - Dennis

[@SteveAndreuk]

Great video. My reel is making the same noise. Will work on it tomorrow Thanks

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad it helped - Best wishes with the tune up

[@hothmobile100]

You are a good man, Dennis. I like your channel and mannerisms. If I wasn't so busy in my work and life I would like to try and work on encouraging people to pool our money together and get you a high definition/resolution camera. Your lighting quality is already great but a higher quality camera with better auto focus would really be a big difference and make your channel even better. You are so kind and a good teacher.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I appreciate that. Thanks for the feedback Richard. This channel started as a look over my shoulder approach and I have never been tech savvy on the right cameras, editing etc. The hi res camera is a good idea, but my internet connection ta

[@hothmobile100]

@@2ndChanceTackle sure! So Canon Powershot G7 Mark3 is the best but expensive. You can just get a GoPro Hero or something in the future. You don't need it as your videos are still great. Most people probably don't even notice when your camera is slightly out of focus and blurry. I'm just super OCD and crazy about that stuff. Carry on! Hey, do you even work on high end spinning reels ? If you ever get a Penn Torque, Okuma Makaira, or Van Staal please post a video.

[@cjmoundalexis2567]

Hi Dennis, What a reel adventure this was !! Lots of cool curveballs ! (different screw sizes, an "internal" line guide, an unknown anti reverse noise, not to mention those popping out of nowhere rascally bearing shim washers!!) As you expertly discovered, the tag must not have been mated with the dog mechanism properly, which looks to have been the source of the noise... Since you didn't see any worn parts would you conclude a misalignment of that dog was the culprit ??!! That"s my guess. Glad it all went back together so well. Super effort !!! Continued Best Wishes and Good Health, Cons

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I think that is a good guess Cons. This is a nice reel with a lot of moving parts, so any one or a combination of a few could have been the culprit. Stay well - Dennis

[@alecmcdonald744]

thanks 🙏 bud this helped me no end 🙏💪💪💪

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are welcome. Please Let your fishing friends know of my channel

[@adamaplon8388]

Thanks Dennis brilliant video. Been waiting for this one such a nice bloke 👍

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate the feedback - Dennis

[@christopherjenkins2373]

The only thing I don’t like on this very nice reel is the AR. In general I don’t like an AT mechanism that operates this way with that piece on the main gear that has to line up usually with a notch on an AR lever. I know why they do it this way but to me it is a potential weakness. Other than that this is a very nice reel. That worm gear set up for oscillation is nice. If they just weren’t so expensive. Great video. Dennis! I truly wish my hands were as steady as yours. I have lost count of when I forget something and have to open the reel all over again. I think that comes with age. LOL

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are doing great with your work Chris. It is something to be proud of - Dennis

[@SewPapDoc]

Thanks for the video. Will you make one showing how to replace the bail on this tournament series reel? I broke the bail on the 1300 ss model and can't seem to figure out how to remove the cam screw retainer to install a replacement bail. Is there a special tool that I should use? Thanks for your help.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Wes - the bail wire is held on with a "C" clip that you access from the spool side. Rotate the clip so that the shoulder is up and the two points are down and then remove it by sliding the clip up through the channel. - I don't have that reel any longer, so I cannot do the video - Thanks for asking - Dennis

[@SewPapDoc]

@@2ndChanceTackle , thanks for the suggestion Dennis. I've had the reel since the late 80's to complement the Zebco Cardinal 3 and 4 I use for steelheading. I like the drag systems in them.

[@borichards6168]

Thanks for a great video on how to service the real and i will for sure keep it for further use. I have inherited my father in laws Daiwa Whisker !300 SS real, I would really like to use it only problem is he was a lefty i am a righty. My question is , Is there away to switch it like other reels from left to rite ? Thanks again for the great video

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I don't think that is interchangeable because of the drive set up. If you can find the manual, that will confirm one way or the other

[@aln6242]

you can take the cap off opposite the handle, unscrew the handle and screw it back in on the other side

[@hbuyru]

Hi sir, daiwa ss 1600 or 2600lever knob removal Thanks for your helps

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I don't have one of those in my shop. I will see what I can do. Are you asking about the A/R over-ride lever?

[@hbuyru]

@@2ndChanceTackle Hello sir I would appreciate if there is an illustrated explanation of how to remove the arm knob. Thank you in advance for your help.

[@matthewweiler6892]

quick question. is the body and all the components bigger on the 1600 versus the 1300? and thus, i would assume, that much stronger and able to handle biggee fish? or is the only difference just that the spool holds more line? like many other viewers i have been waiting for a video on this particular real as well. thanks much!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I can't say for certain, but the body part numbers are different, so I believe the reel is bigger that just an interchangeable spool - Dennis

[@FredG-2012]

Dennis - I have this same reel in the 2600 I bought new back in late 80s, early 90s. Haven’t used for awhile so am prepping it. I notice the line roller doesn’t move even after taking it apart and cleaning the plastic roller. Have read it has a “Cut-proof SiC (Silicon Carbide) line roller”. Does this mean it’s not designed to rotate when line is taken out during a fish fight ? Thx Fred.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

If you can remove the roller, it should turn during operation. The roller may have become swollen and out of shape during storage.

[@ecksdog]

Great reel. Good info thx

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are welcome - Dennis

[@shermanou1337]

Interesting main gear, what do you think it is made of? Aluminum? Zine?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I am not sure on that one. It is a well made reel. Thanks for watching - Dennis

[@williamdougie6213]

It's made of aluzincium

[@oliviercoffee7453]

I need your help Sir. I have SS Whisker 1000 and one of detail inside broken. I don’t know how to fix and i wonder if you can help?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I am not sure if you are asking me to service the reel or if you need help to do it yourself. Please send a note to my email [e-mail] and I will try to help - Dennis

[@Morrissey2013]

Can I send my reels to you for repair and maintenance?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Yes. Please send a note to my email [e-mail] for service and repair information

[@RickMahoney2013]

Dennis you talk about standardizing the model numbers the paint industry does not have a standard for paint sheen one companies semi gloss is not the same as another companies semi gloss or any other sheen.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Good to know. I was not aware of that - Thanks - Dennis

[@peterkerns8343]

I've never owned one of these reels. But after reading positive reviews on it, I think I'm gonna get one for inshore saltwater fishing. I like old school reels. I'm tired of all these modern, made in China crap that doesn't last. Everyone drools over modern reels about how smooth they are. But the real question is how long will they last?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

These are nicely made reels that will last. I wish I could say he same on other, more modern reels - Dennis