Shimano Citica Brakes

[slomoe]

Forgive me if this has been covered, I recently got a new BC combo and have only used it once, with minimal backlash. On a couple long casts there was some heavier backlash. I read ReelMech page about turning your brakes to OFF while setting up your BC. Can someone tell me EXACTLY what the brakes do, and in what circumstances would you turn them on. (flippin vs. casting) And is it best to set the brakes across from each other as opposed to setting two brakes on next to each other. Sorry if this is basic, but I was just curious.

[Raul]

The brakes reduce the speed at which the spool is rotating, farther away from the center ( in a centrifugal brake reel ) the more they reduce the spped, more brakes activated more braking.

in what circumstances would you turn them on. (flippin vs. casting)

I very seldomly change the configuration or the ammount of activated brakes, I thumb the spool and reduce the tension knob settings ( even though I almost have them in freespool )

And is it best to set the brakes across from each other as opposed to setting two brakes on next to each other.

It 's not best, it 's the way it should be done. It 's a matter of physics.

[slomoe]

Thanks for the help Raul.   I was shocked at how little was explained in the booklet that came with the reel. I guess its more "trial and error" than anything else.

[.dsaavedra.]

rauls got it right on the money.

the brakes spin against a little rim on the inside of the side cover and cause friction which slows down the speed of your spool in the cast.

for regular casting i just set two brakes on. works fine for most baits. i set them directly across from each other.

for flippin what i do is i load up on brakes and just turn down the spool tension knob...tahts just how i do it cuz im not very skilled at flippin...others may do it differently.

[slomoe]

Thanks dsaavedra, I figure I would just need to play with it to get it fine tuned to my liking. I'm pretty good at thumbing the reel and controling the spool, and would like to have it set so that I don't need to adjust the brakes at all.

I'm still having trouble remebering to adjust the tension knob every time I switch baits.  ;D

[kms399]

I set them every other one out and that seems to work best for most applications, at least for me

[fishfordollars]

The main reason for setting the brakes counter to each is to keep the spool and shaft balance correctly aligned. Just like balancing a race motor. I gram off can throw it out of wack.