Removing Level Wind????

[fish-aholic]

Ok, everywhere and everything I've read about casting rods suggests using a reel without level wind for casting as the extra drag of the line on the level wind causes you to lose distance. I have my two Tica Gemini GN350s that I absolutely love, and am considering removing the level wind. Has anyone tried this before? Should I do it or just leave it alone?

[Coop]

all my casting reels do not have a level wind, can't be any assistant on the removal but if your shock leader knot slides threw comfortably, I would say leave it, but then again, distance is key when fishing at times,,,not really sure how much distance you will lose with it,,,just one less thing to think about when retreiving.

[fish-aholic]

Ok, after reading your response, I looked at the reel closer, and it appears the level wind is operated by a gear that is tied into the spool, as the spool spins so does the level wind, so I guess that defeats the purpose of removing it because the extra energy used to move the worm gear will still be working unless I pull the whole gear out which I know I won't do.....

[Charkbait]

Your level wind moves when you cast?

I'd take it off, everybody is doing it, you're not cool unless you go windless...!

[fish-aholic]

yeah, freespool the level wind moves.....

[Sam]

Lynn at Delmarva Sport Center took my level wind off of my abu ambassador.

[igormothra]

I am tempted to try one of my garcias, just to see and compare the difference.