Got My First Shimano

[ThatZX14Fella]

Earlier I had some spare money so I decided to buy a Shimano Caenen 100. I put it on my rod to try it out and it seemed like all the brakes were on. I tried to turn them all off but it still seemed as if they were on. I checked the manual and from what I could gather I turned all of them off. With the cheap Pflueger I had to use three brakes. Is it just because the reel is a little higher quality or did I not turn them off correctly?

[ABW]

Have you tried to loosen the spool tension?

[ThatZX14Fella]

Have you tried to loosen the spool tension?

 

Yes. I set it up accordingly to the bait I was using. Maybe I'll loosen it up more and try tomorrow. It just doesn't seem like all the brakes are off, and I've never been able to cast any BC without at least some brakes.

[kickerfish1]

For Shimano's centrifugal breaking system the breaks are in the on position or applying force to the spool when they are extended outward where they would lightly rub the spool. If you press them inwards or down they will not touch the spool and not apply any breaking force. The only other adjustment would be the spool tension knob. Obviously the loser it is the more free it will be. Lastly would be to flush the bearings and apply one small drop to each. If you tried all of these it could be a rod or line issue. It is hard to believe that you aren't getting any normal distance from the reel if everything is set correctly.

[ThatZX14Fella]

For Shimano's centrifugal breaking system the breaks are in the on position or applying force to the spool when they are extended outward where they would lightly rub the spool. If you press them inwards or down they will not touch the spool and not apply any breaking force. The only other adjustment would be the spool tension knob. Obviously the loser it is the more free it will be. Lastly would be to flush the bearings and apply one small drop to each. If you tried all of these it could be a rod or line issue. It is hard to believe that you aren't getting any normal distance from the reel if everything is set correctly.

 

I have them all pushed in toward the center. One of the plastic pieces popped completely off earlier but I got it back on. I'm thinking it may be the bearings. I've used the same rod and line and bait on my other reels.

[DaleGribble]

Pull two of the plastic pieces outwards. One on one side and its opposite on the other side. Then adjust tension know and practice

[ThatZX14Fella]

Pull two of the plastic pieces outwards. One on one side and its opposite on the other side. Then adjust tension know and practice

 

I thought toward the center meant the brakes were off?

[DaleGribble]

It does. But you want some of them on. I use two.

[ThatZX14Fella]

It does. But you want some of them on. I use two.

 

I figured you'd be able to cast further with them off. I'll try it tomorrow.

[zachb34]

There's only about 3 setting those break tabs can be on. all the way in where they won't move closer to the spool anymore is off. One click out is on amd one more click out will uninstall them. My guess is your reel before was magnetic and the centrifugal brakes feel different when casting. Since centrifugal breaks usually start braking earlier you can get away with loosening the spool tension more than you have before.

[ThatZX14Fella]

There's only about 3 setting those break tabs can be on. all the way in where they won't move closer to the spool anymore is off. One click out is on amd one more click out will uninstall them. My guess is your reel before was magnetic and the centrifugal brakes feel different when casting. Since centrifugal breaks usually start braking earlier you can get away with loosening the spool tension more than you have before.

 

My Pflueger had centrifugal brakes. My Quantum Accurist also had them. I have all of them all the way inward. I'm thinking maybe the bearings maybe kinda gummy, because like I said, I've never been able to cast without brakes on. I like the reel. I like the way it palms and the design and stuff, just not casting like any of my others.

[new2BC4bass]

I figured you'd be able to cast further with them off. I'll try it tomorrow.

 

You are correct.  There has to be something else going on.  Zero brakes on my Shimano reels leave me with backlashes because my thumb doesn't have a PHD.

 

I would take the reel back, and exchange it.

[deep]

You are correct.  There has to be something else going on.  Zero brakes on my Shimano reels leave me with backlashes because my thumb doesn't have a PHD.

 

I would take the reel back, and exchange it.

 

.. for a Citica or better.

 

I hear academy has Citicas for $80.

[ThatZX14Fella]

.. for a Citica or better.

 

I hear academy has Citicas for $80.

 

Not getting another reel. If I take it back I'm going to get a sight for my rifle or just keep my money.

[ThatZX14Fella]

I think I was using too much thumb pressure. Got it out just a minute ago and tried to do a couple of casts without brakes and got a couple of backlashes. Put one brake on and now I'm casting fine. Guess it was operator error...no surprise there.

[IAY]

I always find that happening, whenever I get new breaking system. Just take some time to learn about it and what is the most comfortable for you.

[Fisher-O-men]

I think I was using too much thumb pressure. Got it out just a minute ago and tried to do a couple of casts without brakes and got a couple of backlashes. Put one brake on and now I'm casting fine. Guess it was operator error...no surprise there.

That's funny, all the talk about brakes and forgot to factor in the thumb! "My car won't go... oh wait, my foot is on the brake!"

[ThatZX14Fella]

That's funny, all the talk about brakes and forgot to factor in the thumb! "My car won't go... oh wait, my foot is on the brake!"

 

Well my other reel I had to use a lot more thumb pressure to keep it from backlashing. This one I used less thumb pressure with the brakes completely off and it wasn't backlashing as easy as the other with three on. Lol I'm not the best with a BC anyways.

[Fisher-O-men]

. Lol I'm not the best with a BC anyways.

Nobody is at first.  Practice, don't quit!  It will be worth it!

[ThatZX14Fella]

Nobody is at first.  Practice, don't quit!  It will be worth it!

 

I've been at it three years. Still not very good, but at least I'm better than most beginners.

[new2BC4bass]

What Pflueger do you have?  I've got Trion and Patriarch XT.  I don't have to use more thumb pressure to cast any of my various reels regardless of make.  Some may take a little more "feathering" to control, but not more pressure.  Possibly the Pflueger needs a little more fine tuning.

[ThatZX14Fella]

What Pflueger do you have?  I've got Trion and Patriarch XT.  I don't have to use more thumb pressure to cast any of my various reels regardless of make.  Some may take a little more "feathering" to control, but not more pressure.  Possibly the Pflueger needs a little more fine tuning.

 

It was one of the cheap Templars. And shouldn't the Shimano backlash easier because it should have better bearings?

[new2BC4bass]

No experience with either of your reels.  Better bearings doesn't necessarily mean the reel would be more apt to backlash.  I find it to be the opposite.  I've got several supertuned and upgraded reels.  I always have the bearings upgraded at the same time.  I have found that I use less brakes than with factory reels of the same make.

 

I ran both of my Curado 51Es with 2 brakes on.  Got one supertuned with a bearing upgrade.  I can use only one brake on, but it can get a little touchy, so I went back to 2 brakes for better handling in all fishing conditions.  I can run all my supertuned Daiwas with fewer brakes on than its factory counterpart.  I have examples of both in Fuego, Sol, Tatula and T3 1016 models.  The 1016 reels are the only reels where I can run factory brakes as low as supertuned reels.  Actually the Magforce 3D braking system is the only one where I can run factory or supertuned reels with zero brakes on.

 

Possibly your reel is over-packed with grease.  A good cleaning never hurts a new reel, and is often very beneficial.  DVT does an excellent job, and gives bassresource members a 10% discount.  If there is a mechanical problem with your reel, Mike should find it.  Occasionally his cleaning results in a reel you don't recognize when you get it back...it casts so much better. 

 

EDIT: The reason for such minimal difference in braking with the factory and supertuned 51E reels may be because I had Mike clean the factory reel before ever using it.

[ThatZX14Fella]

No experience with either of your reels.  Better bearings doesn't necessarily mean the reel would be more apt to backlash.  I find it to be the opposite.  I've got several supertuned and upgraded reels.  I always have the bearings upgraded at the same time.  I have found that I use less brakes than with factory reels of the same make.

 

I ran both of my Curado 51Es with 2 brakes on.  Got one supertuned with a bearing upgrade.  I can use only one brake on, but it can get a little touchy, so I went back to 2 brakes for better handling in all fishing conditions.  I can run all my supertuned Daiwas with fewer brakes on than its factory counterpart.  I have examples of both in Fuego, Sol, Tatula and T3 1016 models.  The 1016 reels are the only reels where I can run factory brakes as low as supertuned reels.  Actually the Magforce 3D braking system is the only one where I can run factory or supertuned reels with zero brakes on.

 

Possibly your reel is over-packed with grease.  A good cleaning never hurts a new reel, and is often very beneficial.  DVT does an excellent job, and gives bassresource members a 10% discount.  If there is a mechanical problem with your reel, Mike should find it.  Occasionally his cleaning results in a reel you don't recognize when you get it back...it casts so much better. 

 

EDIT: The reason for such minimal difference in braking with the factory and supertuned 51E reels may be because I had Mike clean the factory reel before ever using it.

 

I wish I could send it off to get it cleaned, but unfortunately, that's not an option. :/ I've tried learning to maintenance them myself, but when I put it back together it doesn't work anymore. Lol maybe I'll find somewhere local to get it done.

[new2BC4bass]

I wish I could send it off to get it cleaned, but unfortunately, that's not an option. :/ I've tried learning to maintenance them myself, but when I put it back together it doesn't work anymore. Lol maybe I'll find somewhere local to get it done.

 

Yeah, an inexpensive reel may not be worth the cost of cleaning plus shipping both ways.  You can almost pick up another reel for what it costs.  Sometimes the Mettle can be had for about $40 during the Reel Riot sale.  Probably would be a better reel.  At least they get great reviews.

 

I should learn to clean my own, but 1) I hate tinkering. 2) No place where I live to set-up for it, and 3) I would be ticked at myself if I did something wrong and the reel didn't work right.

 

It is easier to send it out.  I try never to have just one reel worked on.  That spreads the cost of shipping among several reels.