Keep Loosing The Brake Knob

[freelancer27]

Hi guys,

after fishing with spinning reel, I bought my first baitcaster the other day. A Abu Garcia Baitcaster Pro Max.

As far as I can tell the combo is a decent entry for someone like me and I already caught my first bass with it.

Now here is the problem. I keep on loosing the Brake Know (and all the tiny pieces) that are in it. I am already on my second replacement parts.

How do you guys prevent this from happening? For me the Brake Know is pretty loose (since I dont want to have much Brake Power at all on the line). But to loosen the line, I have to completely open the Brake Knob. Which makes it ultimately easier to come off after a while.

What can be done here? I really do not want to spend 10 USD each time I go fishing...

Thank you very much for your help.

Best,

Seb.

[ThatZX14Fella]

Sounds to me like you're loosening the spool tension knob. The spool tension knob is on the same side as the handle and the brake's are on the opposing side.

[Raul]

How you avoid loosing the tension knob cap ?

 

Easy pal ----> be more careful.

 

I´ve owned bcd for decades and I have never lost a tension knob cap.

[freelancer27]

To be easy, that is easier said then done.

I have to open the spool tension knob a lot to make the reel go off smoothely. But then the know is so much out that it falls off after a while?

But it seems like I am the only one with that problem?

[ThatZX14Fella]

To be easy, that is easier said then done.

I have to open the spool tension knob a lot to make the reel go off smoothely. But then the know is so much out that it falls off after a while?

But it seems like I am the only one with that problem?

 

Are your brakes adjusted properly for your casting abilities? You can have the spool tension knob off and if your brakes are set high then it won't make much difference.  Once you adjust your brakes properly you should be fine. If not then you should send it to someone for a cleaning and inspection. It may be bearings or something else.

[Darren.]

Welcome to the forums!

[Raul]

To be easy, that is easier said then done.

I have to open the spool tension knob a lot to make the reel go off smoothely. But then the know is so much out that it falls off after a while?

But it seems like I am the only one with that problem?

Yes, you seem to be the only one with that problem.

[Bluebasser86]

Sounds like your brakes aren't set correctly. You shouldn't have to loosen the spool tension up that much to be able to cast.

[OkobojiEagle]

I've also never heard of this problem.  If I did find myself in this situation I might first try a little locking compound on the cap threads, or snip a small piece off the spring that is inside of the cap.

 

 

oe

[WIGuide]

Of all the reels I own and have owned, I've never lost a spool tension cap. All of them have side to side spool play long before the spool tension knob is loose enough it could fall off. If the spool has any side to side play, you tension is loose enough that it's in free spool. 

[WRB]

Adjust the knob; tighten it until the lure drops slowly when you disengage the spool to make a cast, this is the tightest it should be. To loosen turn about another 1/8 turn, the lure should drop with a slight amount of tension, not freely, another 1/8 turn the falls freely and spool over runs when it hits the ground, that is too loose.

The knob should not back off on it's own unless you loosen too far.

Tom

[Master Bait'r]

It's funny to me because the black max was my first BC combo- I lost my cap too!

I think it's largely a function of not seeing what you're expecting to see by turning the knob and continually loosening it until it just falls off into the water.

OP either temper your expectations and accept that it's not going to cast any farther or always make sure you have the drag star aligned with the top of the cap as a safety stop. It doesn't have room to come off if the drag star arm is above it. Also mentally make sure you're ready if it was to come off. Third time's the charm I hear!

[Ozark_Basser]

It's not your fault. Call up Abu Garcia. More than one person has had this problem with their newest generation. I have an stx that does the same thing.

[freelancer27]

Ok, contacted Abu and they send me the missing parts for free!

Will pay more attention in the future.

Thanks for the help and support!

[Tim Kelly]

Maybe wrap some PTFE tape around the treads before you put the cap on. If the threads are loose then it would help take up the slack.

[Angry John]

You can trim the plastic rod that is used to apply pressure so you dont have to back it off so far.  I would file it ever so slightly and try it again.  Less is more in this case.  One or two small adjustments and it should never be a problem again.  Try setting your brakes a lot lower like at half and use the spool tension to prevent over runs.  This should result in you needing more tension and no more lost caps.  I would try the adjustments first prior to trimming the plastic tension rod.  A third route that may be worth checking into is flushing out the bearings and using a very light oil like boca lightning lube.  I did this to the same reel for a friend and it made a huge difference.   I remove one shield and clean the bearing out and add one drop of the lightning lube.  Everyone has there own way of tuning bearings and this discussion has been hashed out enough a search will provide a number of good results.

[hatrix]

Put a piece of teflon tape on the threads and then the cap back on.