Pflueger Criterion

[Troll God]

I have a Plueger Criterion LP bait caster that I really like, but the centrifigul brake has stopped working. Is there anything I can do to fix this or just get a new reel? Thanks for the help!

[dodgeguy]

there is no way a centrifugal brake can just stop working.do you have the weights in the on position?

[Troll God]

Yes, there is a dial on the inside with an arrow that piont to the number 2,4,6,8. When it worked right on eight it would not cast. I set it at 2 for a while then I notice that I started getting alot of backlashes. I then set it at 4 and everything was fine for a few weekends. Then I started backlashing on every cast. I check the setting and it was still on 4. I went to 6 then to 8 now I don't even use it. Each time it did the same thing work for awhile then quit.

[dodgeguy]

if it has a dial it is not centrifugal it is magnetic.do you have the cast control knob by the handle set properly?

[Troll God]

Its not magnetic because magnetic cast controls don't have "feet" that come out when it spins and It has what to me looks like a brake drum in the side cover. This is a pic of the brake ,not a real great one but if you look close along the top end of the black center you can see the numbers. Also if you look at the outer edge of that same piece you can see the "feet". They are yellow.

[dodgeguy]

take a picture of both sides of the cover and post it.can you get a cleaer picture than the one you have?

[Troll God]

front

[Troll God]

back

[dodgeguy]

so judging buy your blurry pictures there is no dial adjustment.it looks like the red things on the spool are the brake weights.you push them inward until thet click to shut them off and pull them out to turn them on.

[Troll God]

I apologize for the blurriness of the pics its an old camera and a horrible photographer. The black disc in the center is where the dial is. I know they are blurry but if you look close you can see the number and lines that you piont the arrow at. When you turn the dial you can see the weights pop out just like on a traditional baitcaster. I will try to get a better pic.

[Troll God]

This is about the best I can do with this camera and a little editing. The top arrow are the setting numbers 0,2,4,6,8. The bottom arrow is the arrow that pionts to the numbers it is on a seperate piece that the numbers revolve around like a dial.

[dodgeguy]

ok,now i see it.i've never used that style before.i would remind you that the centrifugal brake only works on the front of the cast then backs off.if you are backlashing in the middle or end of the cast you need more thumb or more spool tension.

[Troll God]

I adjust the tension knob the way reel mech says on his site and as soon as I cast you can hear it birdnest. If I adjust the tension to where I can cast without backlash I get no distance.

[dodgeguy]

what kind of line?do the weights move?

[Troll God]

20lbs Fireline. I can pull them out but I dont think they are moving on the cast.

[dodgeguy]

fireline sucks on a bc reel imho.if the weights are coming out they should be working.try at least 50 lb sufix braid or cajun red cast.are you sure the fireline isn't digging in?

[Troll God]

Digging in? I had it on another reel and never had this much of a problem. Except for this reel I have stopped using it and the only reason I havn't replaced it yet is $$$.

[dodgeguy]

go spend $5 on a spool of cajun red cast or $7 on a spool of trilene xl and see if it casts any better.if not then something must be wrong with your reel.is it in warranty?

[Troll God]

no warranty, any idea on how to fix if it isn't the line?

[dodgeguy]

1)send it to pflueger

2)try to figure out why the weights aren't working if that is the problem