Pflueger President XT spool problem

[ocfabfive]

Hi all.  Looking for advice with my problem.  I spooled a President XT with no problem - monofilament line is symmetrically distributed from top to bottom.  However, after one or two casts, usually wacky rigged stickbait or dragging a baby brush hog with a small weight, the line accumulates at the bottom of the spool.  I then have to cast out and then reel in continuously with tension to solve the problem - line spooled symmetrically from top to bottom.  It's an annoying problem.  I own several other spinning reels including a President (non-XT), Diawa and Shimano reels that never have had this issue.  What am I doing wrong?  Any suggestions?  Thanks in advance. 

[bulldog1935]

the symptom is too much spool shim.  

Might get the same result operating with a too-low drag setting.  

If the line isn't sitting deep in the line roller, but on the edge of the bail might also get that result.  

Can you show a photo of the spool stop on the spindle with the spool removed?  

[MN Fisher]

^ What Bulldog said - I'm not seeing that with my XT-30.

 

Another thing to consider - what size is this one and what line test are you running on it?

[ocfabfive]

5 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

the symptom is too much spool shim.  

Might get the same result operating with a too-low drag setting.  

If the line isn't sitting deep in the line roller, but on the edge of the bail might also get that result.  

Can you show a photo of the spool stop on the spindle with the spool removed?  

Let me get you a photo later.  Thanks.

3 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

^ What Bulldog said - I'm not seeing that with my XT-30.

 

Another thing to consider - what size is this one and what line test are you running on it?

It's a 2500 spooled with 8 lbs trilene mono.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, ocfabfive said:

It's a 2500 spooled with 8 lbs trilene mono.

President XT-25?

 

Pflueger's size is different than others - the 25 is actually around a 1000,

 

Other Pflueger sizes - the 20 is a 500, the 30 is a 2500, the 35 is a 3000 - the 40 is the only one that 'matches up' and is a 4000.

 

Still, you should be able to use 8# on that - if it was a 20 then I'd worry.

[ocfabfive]

8 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

President XT-25?

 

Pflueger's size is different than others - the 25 is actually around a 1000,

 

Other Pflueger sizes - the 20 is a 500, the 30 is a 2500, the 35 is a 3000 - the 40 is the only one that 'matches up' and is a 4000.

 

Still, you should be able to use 8# on that - if it was a 20 then I'd worry.

Yes, the XT-25.  FWIW, I have spooled it with 6 lbs and 8 lbs mono with the same problem occurring.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, ocfabfive said:

Yes, the XT-25.  FWIW, I have spooled it with 6 lbs and 8 lbs mono with the same problem occurring.

Okay - as Bulldog asked - a pic of the shaft under the spool would help as well as one showing the line placement during retrieve. His three thoughts are running through my head too.

 

Spool is too high on the shaft

Line isn't getting into the line-roller properly

Drag set too low

[ocfabfive]

2 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Okay - as Bulldog asked - a pic of the shaft under the spool would help as well as one showing the line placement during retrieve. His three thoughts are running through my head too.

 

Spool is too high on the shaft

Line isn't getting into the line-roller properly

Drag set too low

Thank you.  I will update with photos later.  I don't believe my drag is set too low, but will tighten it to see if there is a difference.

[ocfabfive]

Here are the photos. I took a couple with the spool removed - I hope they are adequate.

One photo is of the line on the roller after reeling (unmanipated).

One photo is before casting.

There’s a photo after a couple casts showing line preferentially on the bottom of the spool.

I definitely notice when I reel in on slack or semi-slack line the problem occurs. Reeling line back with tension, line lays on the spool evenly.  I tightened the drag with no change in this occurrence. The reel is a President XT LE, the 25 model. Thanks. 

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, ocfabfive said:

I definitely notice when I reel in on slack or semi-slack line the problem occurs. Reeling line back with tension, line lays on the spool evenly.

That's your issue - what's happening is that the slack/semi-slack line on retrieve is 'dropping' down to lay closer to the bottom of the spool rather than following the oscillation as it should.

 

When I'm retrieving semi or full slack line, I run my rod-holding hand up a bit and pinch the line to give it tension on the retrieve.

 

Note - while mine is the 30 size - it's the same reel.

[ocfabfive]

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

That's your issue - what's happening is that the slack/semi-slack line on retrieve is 'dropping' down to lay closer to the bottom of the spool rather than following the oscillation as it should.

 

When I'm retrieving semi or full slack line, I run my rod-holding hand up a bit and pinch the line to give it tension on the retrieve.

 

Note - while mine is the 30 size - it's the same reel.

Thanks MN Fisher!  Good to know it’s not a problem with the reel but just an adjustment in technique when reeling back.