I'm pretty handy with a Shimano reel, but for the life of me I can't remove the palm side side plate of my JDM Aldebaran 50 that I purchased last fall. 

The reel is in absolutely perfect shape and hasn't been damaged. I've tried opening the release and pushing the spool out, wedging a Shimano "tool" in the key hole at the bottom of the reel, and everything else just with my hands to get the darn thing off. No luck. It's like the release isn't working at all.

Any suggestions? I'd send it in, but I don't think Shimano USA will cover it since it's JDM. Otherwise I'd say it's definitely a warranty issue. 

I have the same reel. I would suggest either having someone you trust take a shot at opening it for you or send it to Mike at DVT. http://www.delawarevalleytackle.com/

It could be defective, but I HIGHLY doubt that is actually the case. 

This might be a stupid thing to ask but did the lever go all the way down to "Open"? Mine seems to click twice before its fully open.Then the plate slides down or clockwise a bit before pulling off the reel.

2 hours ago, bigfruits said:

This might be a stupid thing to ask but did the lever go all the way down to "Open"? Mine seems to click twice before its fully open.Then the plate slides down or clockwise a bit before pulling off the reel.

I had this happen as well. This is exactly what was wrong. It seemed the first time I opened the reel I had to put extra pressure on the release to get it to "click twice".

Counter clockwise.

 

counter clockwise it is! sorry, I have the lefty model