Brakes on baitcast reel don't seem to work

[brick75]

Decided to try out a baitcasting reel, but haven't had much luck with it. Did some research beforehand and watched videos on how to adjust and cast to avoid birdsnesting, but the brakes on my reel don't seem to be doing their job and I'm hoping someone has some advice on how to fix it.

 

I've got an abu garcia pro max reel. Tied on a lure and adjusted the spool tension so it falls nice and smooth when dropped from a standing position. I set the brakes to the max setting to test them out, but when the lure hits the ground, the spool keeps spinning and a ton of line comes loose. While watching a video from someone on how to set these reels up, it showed that the spool is supposed to be stopped by the brakes when the lure comes to rest.

 

Any idea why this would be happening with the brake set to the max setting? This is a brand new reel, so a bit frustrated.

 

Thanks

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

Some of our reel experts will chime in soon to

give you some advice.

[CTBassin860]

1 hour ago, brick75 said:

Decided to try out a baitcasting reel, but haven't had much luck with it. Did some research beforehand and watched videos on how to adjust and cast to avoid birdsnesting, but the brakes on my reel don't seem to be doing their job and I'm hoping someone has some advice on how to fix it.

 

I've got an abu garcia pro max reel. Tied on a lure and adjusted the spool tension so it falls nice and smooth when dropped from a standing position. I set the brakes to the max setting to test them out, but when the lure hits the ground, the spool keeps spinning and a ton of line comes loose. While watching a video from someone on how to set these reels up, it showed that the spool is supposed to be stopped by the brakes when the lure comes to rest.

 

Any idea why this would be happening with the brake set to the max setting? This is a brand new reel, so a bit frustrated.

 

Thanks

If the spool keeps spinning after it hits the ground,your spool tension is loose. Tighten the spool tension knob until the line doesn't overrun when the lure hits the ground. Make minor adjustments to the brakes as you get used to casting it to gain distance. Baitcasters take time to learn,you wont get it in a couple outings. Also train your thumb to stop the lure as it enters the water. You will get it,just be patient.

[brick75]

17 hours ago, MassBassin508 said:

If the spool keeps spinning after it hits the ground,your spool tension is loose. Tighten the spool tension knob until the line doesn't overrun when the lure hits the ground. Make minor adjustments to the brakes as you get used to casting it to gain distance. Baitcasters take time to learn,you wont get it in a couple outings. Also train your thumb to stop the lure as it enters the water. You will get it,just be patient.

 

Thanks for the feedback. The spool tension isn't loose, that's the frustrating part. Like I mentioned I did a fair amount of research on how these reels work and how to properly set them up before and after getting one. The spool isn't loose in the housing at all, and when the thumb button is pressed, I've got the lure falling at a fairly slow and smooth pace.

 

I watched a video of a guy demonstrating the brakes on one of these (at a high setting), and he didn't even stop the spool with his thumb when the lure hit the water and the spool was stopped by the brakes. I'm sure the more expensive reels probably handle this better, but can't imagine that this one wouldn't work at all.

 

Any other ideas on why the brakes are seemingly not working?

[islandbass]

Everyone can relate.

 

I don't think anything in how you set up your reel is off. Matter of fact, you have it dialed in.  Since your  birds nests are occurring at the end of the cast as you described, the culprit is very likely user error, lol. 

 

Here is THE golden nugget that all new baitcaster users need to understand. 

 

"Your thumb MUST stop the spool from spinning BEFORE your lure hits ANYTHING, be it the ground or the water's surface or a tree/brush."

 

It doesn't matter how you stop the spool from spinning -- feather the spool to a stop or stop is dead cold. It is a cool feeling to feather the spool to a stop or something therapeutic for me. 

 

That is is the key and the bottom line result that must happen or overrun will result.

 

it is the only casting thought I gave my daughter when she was 6 and she got it down on the first cast. 

 

For experienced baitcast reel users, this reflex is done without thinking because it has become second nature. For beginners, if they remain mindful that the spool has to stop spinning, they will be well on their way to having it become second nature for them. 

 

I hope the capped words don't come across as harsh as that is not the intent but instead to emphasize the items that are key to not get the nest at the end or anywhere in the cast. The adage, "it's all in the thumb," is true. Best of luck. 

Oops! What I wrote is for what to do after you cast your lure and it's about to land. Massbassin is right about how to fix your problem. I prefer to have my cast control set up to err on the side of being looser than tighter, but that is not ideal for the beginner. 

[Glenn]

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The spool tension should be set so the spool stops when a free falling bait hits the ground. THEN set the brakes and expect to always need some thumb control 

[new2BC4bass]

On 7/22/2017 at 8:21 PM, brick75 said:

I've got an abu garcia pro max reel. Tied on a lure and adjusted the spool tension so it falls nice and smooth when dropped from a standing position. I set the brakes to the max setting to test them out, but when the lure hits the ground, the spool keeps spinning and a ton of line comes loose. While watching a video from someone on how to set these reels up, it showed that the spool is supposed to be stopped by the brakes when the lure comes to rest.

 

According to the literature, the brakes apply consistent brake pressure throughout the cast.  It is possible you are correct and the brakes aren't working.  I don't know if this braking force is enough to actually stop a spool the instant the lure hits the ground having never used a Pro Max.  HOWEVER, if you set the spool tension correctly there will be no spool over-run even with the brakes completely off.  Spool tension has to be set tight enough so that the spool makes no more than one turn after the lure hits the floor.

 

The above is for how you want the spool to react.  Many (including myself) don't set spool tension that tight because we have learned some thumb control and a looser spool aids in casting distance.  However, it is definitely how a beginner should set spool tension on most reels.

[Bucky205]

On 7/22/2017 at 8:32 PM, MassBassin508 said:

If the spool keeps spinning after it hits the ground,your spool tension is loose. Tighten the spool tension knob until the line doesn't overrun when the lure hits the ground. Make minor adjustments to the brakes as you get used to casting it to gain distance. Baitcasters take time to learn,you wont get it in a couple outings. Also train your thumb to stop the lure as it enters the water. You will get it,just be patient.

*****EXACTLY*** Set your brake mid range and set your spool tension so the spool stops when the bait hits the ground.  Let your thumb feather the spool, your thumb will actualy feel the loose line if the spool starts to over spin.  

[Bucky205]

On 7/22/2017 at 7:21 PM, brick75 said:

Decided to try out a baitcasting reel, but haven't had much luck with it. Did some research beforehand and watched videos on how to adjust and cast to avoid birdsnesting, but the brakes on my reel don't seem to be doing their job and I'm hoping someone has some advice on how to fix it.

 

I've got an abu garcia pro max reel. Tied on a lure and adjusted the spool tension so it falls nice and smooth when dropped from a standing position. I set the brakes to the max setting to test them out, but when the lure hits the ground, the spool keeps spinning and a ton of line comes loose. While watching a video from someone on how to set these reels up, it showed that the spool is supposed to be stopped by the brakes when the lure comes to rest.

 

Any idea why this would be happening with the brake set to the max setting? This is a brand new reel, so a bit frustrated.

 

Thanks

There is not a set it and forget it even on the most expensive reels.  You’re going to throw upwind, downwind, crosswind with a variety of lures.  Even your casting style is not always the same. If you could always throw the same distance downwind in a 3 mph wind with a 1/2 oz bait, you could tune it to behave as well as a Zebco 33.  Bait casters throw so well because there is less resistance. The spool is feeding out line as your lure travels away from you, but if the spool over spins you’re going to backlash.  Reels can use either magnet or friction for braking.  If you want to know if the brake is working reel all your line in and put a piece of tape to hold it in place.  Spin the spool with your finger.   You should see a difference between minimum and maximum braking.

[NHBull]

If this is your first one, and appears to be set properly, it is user error.

It usually stems from casting like a spinning reel and using to much shoulder.

Forget distance and make short accurate cast and practice  it in your backyard.

 

[The Fisher]

13 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

The spool tension should be set so the spool stops when a free falling bait hits the ground. THEN set the brakes and expect to always need some thumb control 

This^^ I saw a video that said set brakes to 0 then adjust the spool tension to drop the lure from a 45 degree angle until the spool stops spinning when it hits the ground. As you fish, adjust the brakes for wind, weight of the lure, etc. 

[22hertz]

The brakes only work during a cast (high speed)

The spool tension exists to control the low speed action of the spool.

 

You need to tighten the spool tension more. 

 

Tighten the spool tension until the lure drops slowly and controlled where it hits the ground and the spool makes about a 1/4 turn then stops on its own. Set your bakes on max. Begin casting and backing off the brakes until the reel casts smooth with just a hint of backlash then either use your thumb to slow it a bit or tighten the brakes a hair for a thumb free cast (until the lure hits the water).

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwGNLqXEJYY

[brick75]

Thanks everyone for the feedback and tips. Took them to the backyard, and have already made good progress in reducing the backlashes. No idea how the guy in the video I saw was able to get his spool to stop dead without his thumb after a cast, but mine sure as heck doesn't do that no matter how it's set.

 

Glenn, thanks for the video. Definitely helps to see the technique in action.

[mrpao]

Also, some reels are more sensitive to too much line on the spool.

My Lews are more prone to backlash if I over fill them, as oppose to my shimanos.