Shimano Curado I ?

[Brett's_daddy]

I find that when adjusting my brakes and tension for new lures that I will get it set just right but in order to lock my side plate back into position I will have to let off on the tension knob until the sideplate clicks into place (the locking knob I mean). This seems counter intuitive to the whole process of setting your brakes to zero and adjusting the tension to the bait. Is there a trick I don't know about? 

[islandbass]

I don't have one but that seems like a very strange move to have to do. I have older curados and so your situation is interesting and baffling to me.  Looking forward to having curado I users chime in.

[The Bassman]

Your tension knob should be adjusted after the sideplate is closed anyhow. It doesn't take much tension to keep the sideplate from locking. Always back it off when accessing the brakes.

[OnthePotomac]

I have two of the 200I reels and so far I have not found it necessary to change the two brakes on for all the baits I throw on them.  Try changing the setting on the outside dial either up or down to get the desired results you are looking for.  That works for me anyway.  If you prefer to change brake settings while fishing then you may find it necessary to back off the cast control cap then reset it, but that will depend on how far down you have tightened it.  Yes, tightened down  cast control will push against the spool shaft preventing closing the cover.

[3crows]

The tension knob is set after closing the side cover, or if need be readjusted. The tight tolerances of the Curado I and similar Shimano reels, the side cover will resist being closed if the spool knob is turned in very far. In fact, without backing the spool knob off, you may not be able to close the cover. It is normal for several of my Shimano reels, not just the I.

[deep]

Who said you had to zero the brakes before setting the spool tension on a reel with centrifugal brakes?

 

Anyway, forget all that nonsense, and try my 3 step method (works on all Curado models VBS or SVS):

 

Step 0: Start with the spool tension knob loose enough to remove/ install sideplate

Step 1: Turn 2 brakes on (out of 4 or 6), close sideplate. Set outer dial (if so equipped) to 3.

Step 2: Increase spool tension until there is no side-to-side play. Stop tightening the spool tension when you get to this point.

Step 3: Fish. Use thumb and/ or outer dial and/ or *slightly* more spool tension- in that order- to control overruns.

Optional- Step 4: If and when proficient, you may decrease braking (inner and/ or outer) to your liking.

[The Bassman]

Nobody said you had to zero the brakes, just back off the tension knob before you open and close the sideplate.

[Brett's_daddy]

For some reason I thought you had to zero the brakes when changing baits...if not that makes things much easier as I'll just leave the brakes at 2 on/2 off adjust the tension knob and possibly the svs dial.

[Scrapiron]

What Deep said (steps 0-4). Works like a champ and let's me get to fishing.