Author Topic: Heritage Lakers-Adjusting Trip Mechanism? (Read 6058 times)

JMS42687 · « **on:** Jan 21, 2015, 12:30 PM »

Hi Folks,

I just bought a set of Heritage Laker traps. They're brand new and the trip mechanism feels like takes pounds to trip the flag.

Compared to my 30 year old Moosehead traps these are 10 times heavier to set off the flag. Does anyone have any advice on tuning the flag catch?

I've heard of people bending the catch but which way is it bent? Up and out or only our away from the flag?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as would pictures of what other anglers have done to theirs. Right now I can't imagine a finicky brook trout would take the bait and set the flag without knowing something was off...more so than just a hook in his mouth. My fear is they'll spit the bait.

fishingsurveyor · « **Reply #1 on:** Jan 21, 2015, 01:50 PM »

have you backed off the brass star nut ?

JMS42687 · « **Reply #2 on:** Jan 21, 2015, 02:16 PM »

Yes no drag interference just the actual weight from the mechanism that holds the flag.

pooley · « **Reply #3 on:** Jan 21, 2015, 02:39 PM »

you can file the tab that holds the flag in, but you will get more wind flags the more you file it.

fishingsurveyor · « **Reply #4 on:** Jan 21, 2015, 02:50 PM »

twist the spring on top till it aligns with the trip mech

Alex Delarge · « **Reply #5 on:** Jan 21, 2015, 05:31 PM »

Quote from: fishingsurveyor on Jan 21, 2015, 02:50 PM

twist the spring on top till it aligns with the trip mech

X2.
Doesn't take much sometimes.

bart · « **Reply #6 on:** Jan 21, 2015, 05:40 PM »

I use my Heritages for pickerel, pike, musky and lakers, no problems. I don't target brookies. I was thinking maybe waxing the trip mechanism might help?

JMS42687 · « **Reply #7 on:** Jan 21, 2015, 07:08 PM »

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm going to move the spring and see what happens. Hopefully this will help!

chubs · « **Reply #8 on:** Jan 21, 2015, 07:27 PM »

i used a dremel with a small grinding stone in it to work the tab down some on mine, just take a little at a time until you get better results

fisherman58 · « **Reply #9 on:** Jan 22, 2015, 05:09 AM »

don't grind anything just turn the spring

fishingsurveyor · « **Reply #10 on:** Jan 22, 2015, 07:51 AM »

By turning the spring you have 2 options
1- by aligning the spring with the trip mech its creates a more sensitive trip of the flag
2- by aligning opposite the trip mech it creates a stiffer trip of the flag

you can keep tinkering with the spring alignment till you like the set and trip
by any chance you using the plastic spools?

you can try to file down the trip mech some but once you go to far your gonna have to replace it or chase flags and only flags all day.

JMS42687 · « **Reply #11 on:** Jan 22, 2015, 08:53 PM »

I turned the springs and they're definitely better, still not a hair trigger but I think they'll be fine. They are the plastic spools and the drag is not set.

Thank you all for the tips!

Loudmouth879 · « **Reply #12 on:** Jan 22, 2015, 08:56 PM »

What do you mean by turning the springs?

fishingsurveyor · « **Reply #13 on:** Jan 23, 2015, 08:17 AM »

The spring located on the top of the trap. If you set the flag you see the spring bends in the direction of the trip. If you rotate the spring around a bit you can get more or less tension on the tip of the flag.

Retiredbum · « **Reply #14 on:** Jan 23, 2015, 08:24 AM »

Its the springs. Used them for years, I always remove the flags for refinishing them. And readjust them.

Loudmouth879 · « **Reply #15 on:** Jan 23, 2015, 10:59 AM »

Quote from: fishingsurveyor on Jan 23, 2015, 08:17 AM

The spring located on the top of the trap. If you set the flag you see the spring bends in the direction of the trip. If you rotate the spring around a bit you can get more or less tension on the tip of the flag.

I figured that was the spring you were talking about just wanted to make sure..... so if you align the bend in the spring with the tripping mechanism it will trip easier?

fishingsurveyor · « **Reply #16 on:** Jan 23, 2015, 12:28 PM »

Quote from: Loudmouth879 on Jan 23, 2015, 10:59 AM

I figured that was the spring you were talking about just wanted to make sure..... so if you align the bend in the spring with the tripping mechanism it will trip easier?

yes it should less tension on the spring
go the other way and it stiffens the trip

harrops26 · « **Reply #17 on:** Jan 24, 2015, 11:26 AM »

I found a great way to get around the flag hook on my Red HLs. I got a cardboard box then went into the garage and looked around my shelves and found a spot, placed the card board box on the self and put my HLs in the box and bought a set of Jack Traps. I've had no sensitivity issues since.

JMS42687 · « **Reply #18 on:** Jan 24, 2015, 07:25 PM »

Quote from: harrops26 on Jan 24, 2015, 11:26 AM

I found a great way to get around the flag hook on my Red HLs. I got a cardboard box then went into the garage and looked around my shelves and found a spot, placed the card board box on the self and put my HLs in the box and bought a set of Jack Traps. I've had no sensitivity issues since.

I hear yea, I'm tempted to go get jack traps. I'm not really happy with these traps. The sensitivity issue is a little annoying and the reels are at a weird angle because they pressed the brass bar in at an angle. They're brand new but they're not the quality I was hoping for.

Loudmouth879 · « **Reply #19 on:** Jan 24, 2015, 07:30 PM »

Quote from: JMS42687 on Jan 24, 2015, 07:25 PM

I hear yea, I'm tempted to go get jack traps. I'm not really happy with these traps. The sensitivity issue is a little annoying and the reels are at a weird angle because they pressed the brass bar in at an angle. They're brand new but they're not the quality I was hoping for.

All mine are straight.... I would've called them up and said something. I'm sure they would've took care of you

JiggerMan · « **Reply #20 on:** Jan 25, 2015, 12:21 AM »

Quote from: JMS42687 on Jan 24, 2015, 07:25 PM

I hear yea, I'm tempted to go get jack traps. I'm not really happy with these traps. The sensitivity issue is a little annoying and the reels are at a weird angle because they pressed the brass bar in at an angle. They're brand new but they're not the quality I was hoping for.

It seems that the newer ones with the plastic spools are not as top quality as the ones with the metal spools....

How is the tension on the spool? I think I can loosen mine or tighten mine but I have the metal spools.

Loudmouth879 · « **Reply #21 on:** Jan 25, 2015, 10:31 AM »

Quote from: JiggerMan on Jan 25, 2015, 12:21 AM

How is the tension on the spool? I think I can loosen mine or tighten mine but I have the metal spools.

I have the plastic and you can adjust he plastic spools the same as metal.... I went with the plastic because it doesn't freeze up as bad when out of the water like the metal spools tend to do

Retiredbum · « **Reply #22 on:** Jan 25, 2015, 12:01 PM »

I never had a problem with my lakers, I fish for trout, never missed a fish due to bad trip mechanism. you do have to adjust them, but they been good to me. Alot of fish.

lunkahville · « **Reply #23 on:** Jan 26, 2015, 07:22 PM »

I took a file to the nub of my lakers. Don't have any wind flags and the sensitivity is there

Mainedog · « **Reply #24 on:** Jan 26, 2015, 09:36 PM »

I have modified (sanded/filed) the flag catches on my Lakers, and then ordered replacements.

I have also turned the flags to adjust the tension. I have a set of older Lakers (aluminum spools).
The wood was unfinished when I bought them. I took them apart and varnished them. I also pinned the
spool rods and plastic spring holders to prevent them from falling out. I didn't catch as many fish using
them the following few years--I suspected the stink from the varnish might have been driving the fish away.

So I ordered a set of Jack Traps. I like JT's larger spools, and greater sensitivity. I immediately started catching
more fish using the JT's. But I hate trying to set a JT with cold fingers. It is much easier to set a HL with numb fingers.

You can reduce wind flags just by how you orient the trap in the hole by turning it so that the wind blows the flag
in to the catch.

To each his own.

Anyway, I wanted to share the fact that I regretted "tuning" the HL flag clips, so much so that I replaced them with originals.

MD

delawareriver · « **Reply #25 on:** Jan 27, 2015, 05:45 AM »

I fish for muskies with 8" trout and suckers and love the trip Tension. No wind flags no bait flags, and once in a blue moon when I throw shinners on for small pike, pickerel, bass. Etc I never had an issue. I wouldn't plan on using them for trout but have caught perch, walleyes, pickerel, pike, bass on them without issues.

delawareriver · « **Reply #26 on:** Jan 27, 2015, 05:47 AM »

Quote from: JMS42687 on Jan 24, 2015, 07:25 PM

I hear yea, I'm tempted to go get jack traps. I'm not really happy with these traps. The sensitivity issue is a little annoying and the reels are at a weird angle because they pressed the brass bar in at an angle. They're brand new but they're not the quality I was hoping for.

did call? I have 10 lakers and all of mine are straight and every one I've seen in stores were straight. I can't even imagine they sent it from the factory with it crooked unless A box got crush in shipping and bent it?

NHHARDWATER · « **Reply #27 on:** Jan 28, 2015, 09:22 AM »

As an alternative to grinding off the tab that holds the flag from wind tripping, I took a pair of pliers and bent that tab up a little at a time until I got the sensitivity I wanted. You cant add material back on if you wanted change your setup some day, so I don't advise grinding it off. Bending it up will allow you to re adjust at anytime.

lunkahville · « **Reply #28 on:** Jan 28, 2015, 12:22 PM »

I don't think in 15 years I have ever had a wind flag with my lakers.

NHHARDWATER · « **Reply #29 on:** Jan 29, 2015, 01:46 PM »

I guess what i meant was in response to a concern on a previous post about getting wind flags after grinding the holding tab off.

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Author Topic: Heritage Lakers-Adjusting Trip Mechanism? (Read 6058 times)