New BC reel isn't casting very far

[ALLCAPS]

I think I figured out the issue.  When engaging the brakes, you pull out each of the tabs just like almost every other reel.  Well I found when you pull the tabs out as far as they'll go, they click in place but that ends up being too long and when you put the reel back together they get in the way which is why it wasn't working.  So I just pulled them out to where they were loose and can move, but not entirely extended.

 

I hope that's how they are supposed to work, because I can't see how the reel would work with them fully extended.