Setting up the brakes on a BC reel question

[pauldconyers]

I have a few different Shimano reels like the SLX XT, Curado K and such (and this question would apply to other brands as well) that has internal and external braking controls. For these 2 reels I normally set 2 on and 2 off inside and then adjust from there using the external adjustments. I figure maybe I could only have 1 on inside and apply more external brake to achieve the same thing and that got me to thinking. Be it performance-wise or more so for making the reel last longer would it be better to use more of the braking "power" from the internal or external side of things? How/where would using less or more spool tension affect performance and longevity?

[basser27]

I fish a curado k and fish 2 brakes all the time with the external dial set on 3-6 depending on bait and wind. Just today while out testing lures I had a hard wind straight in my face and I bumped the internal brakes up to 3.

 

as far as spool tension the general rule of thumb is to tighten it all the way put your bait in freespool and then loosen until the bait slowly drops. I don’t do this. My bait falls fairly fast. If I have the tension set so the bait drops slowly you are losing some casting distance. Adjust accordingly to the lure and see what works for you. It is all trial and error

[roadwarrior]

Hmm...

 

I have a few Shimano reels and a couple of others. 

Start with your drag set down and adjust your spool tension.

 

My drag setting is about 3 lbs.

 

[jimmyjoe]

   The external adjustment is just a fine tune on the internal adjustment. No wear factor that I know of.

   As for the brakes, if you think you have wear, then set the "other" 2 on and the original 2 off. After that, look in the box for your reel. Do you not have a complete new set of brakes? I have a Citica 200i, and I did.

   Keep your reel clean, and by the time you go through all 8 brakes, you can probably visit my grave.

   As for the friction cap on the right hand side .... if you look inside it you'll see a small fiber pad, as thin as paper. Now THAT may have to be replaced someday. No bigee. I set my friction cap to the least effect possible that will still give me reliable casting performance. That way it lasts as long as possible. Like ..... years.

 

   Now go catch some fish! Have fun!        jj

[CrankFate]

I’ll take a reel with a good tension knob over magnets and technology any day.

[Mike L]

44 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

   

   As for the brakes, if you think you have wear, then set the "other" 2 on and the original 2 off. After that, look in the box for your reel. Do you not have a complete new set of brakes? I have a Citica 200i, and I did.

   Keep your reel clean, and by the time you go through all 8 brakes, you can probably visit my grave.

   

One of the most overlooked “maintenance” on brakes is to rotate them. 
 

Once a year I turn the ones I have on..I turn off. 
Then turn on the same amount keeping the same stagger. 
Your original brakes will last years. 
 

Also, when oiling I put a very thin coating on the contact end. 

 

 

 

Mike

[Jaderose]

13 hours ago, Mike L said:

One of the most overlooked “maintenance” on brakes is to rotate them. 
 

Once a year I turn the ones I have on..I turn off. 
Then turn on the same amount keeping the same stagger. 
Your original brakes will last years. 
 

Also, when oiling I put a very thin coating on the contact end. 

 

 

 

Mike

Of course this makes perfect sense.  I just never thought of it.  Will do it today!

[garroyo130]

18 hours ago, basser27 said:

I fish a curado k and fish 2 brakes all the time with the external dial set on 3-6 depending on bait and wind.

I never understood people who said infinity braking was hard to set until i cleaned my bearings. 

 

What I've found is that I can't really use the external dial under 3 either. I have played around with it and even with 3 blocks on, if I set the external dial to 1, bad things happen.

 

One thing I really dislike is the indicators on the dial ... theyre pretty darn hard to see in low light

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, garroyo130 said:

What I've found is that I can't really use the external dial under 3 either. I have played around with it and even with 3 blocks on, if I set the external dial to 1, bad things happen.

 

One thing I really dislike is the indicators on the dial ... theyre pretty darn hard to see in low light

Yes, it's touchy with lighter weights, not at all really with heavier weights though. I run mine with 2 on and 2 off with the dial set at 3. Sometimes a little less. With the heavier baits I'll drop down to 1 block engaged. Don't be afraid of using your tension knob to fine tune. I always start out with just the side to side play eliminated and usually leave it there. I find the external adjustment dial to be a misery to deal with, especially at night with wet and softened finger nails, so the tension dial does my fine adjustments for lighter baits and headwinds. I'm not suggesting that you do this, but here's what I do on all of my reels: I set the tension knob to eliminate side to side play. Then I take a marker and draw a hash on the dial at the 12 o'clock position. If it turns out that i need to tweak it up during a session it's easy to return it to the neutral position when I don't need it to be juiced up, or when I leave the lake. I always back off my drags and tension knobs after I've wrapped up for the day, so the hash on the spool tension knob is useful for not having to find neutral the next time out. The mark can be easily completely removed with rubbing alcohol at any time. They need to be renewed occasionally from friction alone. 

[basser27]

Just now, PhishLI said:

Yes, it's touchy with lighter weights, not at all really with heavier weights though. I run mine with 2 on and two off with the dial set at 3. Sometimes a little less. On the heaviiest bait I'll drop down to 1 block engaged. Don't be afraid of using your tension knob to fine tune. I always start out with just the side to side play eliminated and usually leave it there. I find the external adjustment dial to be a misery to deal with, especially at night with wet and softened finger nails, so the tension dial does my fine adjustments for lighter baits and headwinds. I'm not suggesting that you do this, but here's what I do on all of my reels: I set the tension knob to eliminate side to side play. Then I take a marker and draw a hash on the dial at the 12 o'clock position. If it turns out that i need to tweak it up during a session it's easy to return it to the neutral position when I don't need it to be juiced up, or when I leave the lake. I always back off my drags and tension knobs after I've wrapped up for the day, so the hash on the spool tension knob is useful for not having to find neutral the next time out. The mark can be easily completely removed with rubbing alcohol at any time. They need to be renewed occasionally from friction alone. 

interesting. On my daiwas I set the tension with just enough to eliminate side  To side play but with the shimanos they seem more sensitive. I have to up the tension a bit more 

1 hour ago, garroyo130 said:

I never understood people who said infinity braking was hard to set until i cleaned my bearings. 

 

What I've found is that I can't really use the external dial under 3 either. I have played around with it and even with 3 blocks on, if I set the external dial to 1, bad things happen.

 

One thing I really dislike is the indicators on the dial ... theyre pretty darn hard to see in low light

I love my curado k but could do without the dial. Wish they would go back to the old braking system with just the pins

[PhishLI]

2 minutes ago, basser27 said:

shimanos they seem more sensitive

I agree

[garroyo130]

3 minutes ago, basser27 said:

I love my curado k but could do without the dial.

The curado K is more forgiving on the dial/braking than the I generations