Alright, call me crazy, but the hacksaw was calling my name the other day }( The only CTL300S in known existence, swimbait tossing special. Here's what happens when I have too much time on my hands and think about fishing too much.

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/1521.jpg

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/1522.jpg


It seems to have come out pretty good, feels solid still. Without the levelwind the reel actually feels smoother. I left the levelwind crossbars in there to help keep the frame rigid. In order to keep the worm gear in there I had to leave the plastic gear (idle gear C) in there as a spacer, but it doesn't function as a gear. I yanked the brass gear (idle gear B) that meshes with that one, and left another plastic gear (idle gear A) which meshes with that one, at the bottom of the drive shaft, because it also has to act as a spacer for the rest of the drag stack and main gear etc. Other than that, I just hacksawed off the crossbar and filed it flush, and also yanked out all the levelwind stuff. It's yet to be tested, but I ought to get some better casting distance out of it. Only concern is corrosion on the exposed aluminum, but hey, it's a $90 reel, and it'll be used in freshwater mostly. I really don't care if I have two green spots on my frame anyway, no biggie.

See what happens when you guys put ideas in my head??? :o
-Brian