I make these custom bail springs by hand in my workshop from stainless steel spring wire. I have been making bail springs for approximately 20 years for use in my various reels. They function like factory made ones and have essentially the same use life.  I’ve been selling bail springs on eBay since 2014. I’ve had a 99% plus rate of success with their quality. If you have an issue with the installation or function of a spring, please contact me immediately. I will work to make things right to your satisfaction.

FIND MY OTHER CUSTOM MADE BAIL SPRINGS BY CLICKING ON “See Other Items”.

Please note that I sell these springs in pairs (right and left). They are not identical springs and are coiled in opposite directions.  The right spring goes on the line roller side (bail arm side) and the left spring on the opposite side (bail plate side). Before installation place both springs on a flat surface with the top tab pointing up and the bottom tab in the 12 O’clock position. The bottom tab for the right spring will point to the right and the bottom tab for the left spring will point to the left.

My recommendations for installing the ABU Cardinal Series bail springs are as follows:

1. Remove the spool from the reel.
2. Remove the bail screws and loosen the bail nut. The loosened bail nut allows the bail arm to swing and will reduce the chance of springing the bail.
3. Swing the bail arm out and up.
4.  Remove the bail to determine which bail spring is broken and remove broken spring. 
5. Reattach the bail back into place on the working bail spring side.
6. Remove the bail stop plate screw, spring and plate.
7. Check to make sure the spring you are installing is the correct one for that side of the reel. (See above comments before numbered instructions).
8. Place the new bail spring into position in the reel rotating head (winding cup).
9.  Rotate the bail down into the position that allows the bail spring to be engaged by the bail.
10. Engage the bail spring top tab into the hole in the bail.
11. Rotate the bail up into the normal closed position and screw in the bail screw. (This takes about three hands.)
12. Tighten the bail nut and replace the bail stop plate, spring and screw.
13. Test the bail to see if the springs work properly.

If the bail will hardly move, the top coil of the bail spring is pinned between the bail and the bail post. Repeat the above procedure for installation.

If the bail spring works weakly after installation, turn a bail screw out several turns and then try the bail. If the spring now works properly, the bail is sprung. A sprung bail causes the bail and bail screw to rub on each other and prevents the free movement of the bail. The bail can be “resprung” by hand on a trial and error basis.