Have a Lews Speed Spool tournament pro that's giving me some issues. Every once in a while, when I make a max effort max cast the spool will instantly stop when the lure is in mid air. There's no backlash, spool is dis-engaged; spool just instantly stops. I took out the spool and couldn't find any debris or sand particles. What internal could cause this? I was thinking the spool bearing but it seems fine.

Are you using braid. I know that braid digging into self will cause a lure to stop during the cast.

Are you using braid. I know that braid digging into self will cause a lure to stop during the cast.

That's my guess too. That's the only time I ever have that happen. After I've either 1) hung up and had to really tug it loose, or 2) caught a decent size fish.

 

Either case makes the braid dig into itself, which will put the brakes on a cast in a heartbeat.

I have the Lews reels and that happens to me when I am using braid. Its not the reel. The braid dug in deep caused the spool to stop in its tracks. 

If it only happens on a max effort for max distance cast, then I would suspect something besides braid digging in.  Would be rather unusual, that a dig in only occurred before a max effort cast.  However, I have absolutely no idea what else it might be.  I leave it to the reel pros to figure that out.  It has been my experience that a dead stop with braid usually means a lost lure.....depending on how much line is out when it happens and lure weight.  More line out is better.   Lighter lure is better.   

You would know if the line was the cause. Could be you are bumping the spool release or reel handle by mistake during the cast, that can stop a spool! If the line wraps a micro guide, happens with braid, but you should have a spool over run when that happens.

Tom