Shimano Spheros 12000fa Upgrade...

Does anyone know anything about upgrading the sphero's reels? Got a spheros 12000fa from dmmcall yesterday and am planning to swap out the drag washers with some carbontex washers and possibly upgrade the handle if it will work with one of the new ones. It will be set up for Cobia fishing and possibly for a little offshore action as well. Has anyone tried the manual pickups shimano makes? Worth the $$$?

I posted a topic of PFF asking some questions too if anyone has any advice here on them as well...
http://www.pensacolafishingforum.com...89/#post827945

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Does anyone have experience using the Spheros reels offshore jigging/bottom fishing? Picked up a decent used 12000fa yesterday and am setting it up for Cobia fishing in the spring, and offshore duty during the summer and fall. Does anyone have any advice on what what to spool it up with. Was thinking 50 # braid with a short top shot of mono for tying to terminal tackle or jigs.

Has anyone tried upgrading these reels some? Have read a few posts about upgrading to the carbontex drags, and possibly upgrading the handle. Does anyone know what handle would fit? Are pretty much the same as the 14000's?

Are these reels able to be serviced at home for a good cleaning? This one doesn't look bad but its seen a little use so would like to get it cleaned up.

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I believe the older Spheros Fa's you cannot swap them out because they are attached to the spool.

Actually just played with it, its just a plastic piece that holds the washers in there with 4 little screws. They actually came out no problem so I think I'll go ahead and order the carbontex but they didn't look bad so put a little grease on them and put them back in for now. Now just to figure out how to take the rest of it apart without screwing it up.

[quote author=tofer link=topic=607.msg5565#msg5565 date=1329102955] Now just to figure out how to take the rest of it apart without screwing it up.
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And, therein, always lies the rub. Decided to tinker with my "new" 303 tonight. Just ordered a new trip lever screw to replace the one I broke off. :wall:
That was an interesting 15 minute bit of microsurgery to remove the broken screw shaft.

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See if this helps.
http://www.mikesreelrepair.com/schem...os_12000fa.pdf

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That did help Fin, thanks! Chris over at Sams gave me some good advice on it too. Not too bad at all once you know where to start and what NOT to do. Haha. Its spooled up, cleaned, oiled, lubed and ready to kill some fish!