Hello all, I'm hoping for some advice on a recent issue with my Curado HG K.

 

Despite having my brakes set fairly loose (brush hog and 1/8 oz bullet weight falls pretty freely), it will suddenly feel as if the brake dial is up very high.  I will wind the dial almost all the way loose but it still offers nearly max resistance, almost as if stuck.  However, the dial moves freely, so I can have the dial at a setting where it is nearly falling off, but the resistance doesn't budge.  Sometimes, I can cast it out hard, and it seems to "break through" and perform normally for a few more casts before getting stuck again. I can feel the resistance even during a retrieve, it feels "sludgy" and not smooth. Sometimes, when it is working fine, I will feel it shift into being stuck during the retrieve- the retrieve can start smooth and then I feel a sudden resistance and then I'll know that the next time I cast, I will have the brake problem.

 

Troubleshooting:

-I lubricated the spool and the gears that are accessible by popping open the spool.  Nothing beyond that that would require me to open up the reel further.

-I respooled the line. (15 lb P-Line Flouroclear casting a baby brush hog with 1/8 oz bullet weight and 3/0 EWG Superline Gamakatsu)

 

The issue remains.

 

Anyone know what the issue may be or have any troubleshooting ideas?  I love the reel and it's given be about two years of good service.  The maintenance I have done in that time span is lubricating the gear every few months.

 

What are your internal brakes and external dial set at? Mine is set with two on two off, dial at 3,and spool tension set to medium fall rate, no issues like your describing. Have you cleaned the brake housing or oiled the spool shaft? Maybe oil the spool bearing? 

2 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

By dial do you actually mean spool tension knob? 

Yes, sorry, wrong terminology.  The dial on teh right hand side that detmerines how freely your bait falls when the spool is free.

 

5 hours ago, LCG said:

What are your internal brakes and external dial set at? Mine is set with two on two off, dial at 3,and spool tension set to medium fall rate, no issues like your describing. Have you cleaned the brake housing or oiled the spool shaft? Maybe oil the spool bearing? 

1 on, 3 off, dial at 2, spool tension set so that a 1/8oz texas rig baby brush hog falls pretty freely.  With these same settings I was able to cast just fine until the past few trips out; there is definitely something off about the way the spool tension is sludgy and rough for preiods of time, then fine, then back to sludgy.  I've only oiled the small hole hat is exposed when you open up the reel to adjust the brakes- I'm not sure what the other parts are.  I'll look for some instructions on what else I might oil.

I would try cleaning the brakes with a q tip then apply a small amount of oil on the spool bearing and around the brake housing. See if that helps. 

Thanks all, I appreciate the suggestions and will try oiling the spool bearings.  

You're lucky my Curado HG  K never has performed well with lighter baits. Tried everything but new bearings. 

11 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

It may be time clean the spool bearings.  I would spray them with Goof Off and then apply some spool bearing oil.  

Adding oil to dirty bearings won't fix anything.  You need to flush out the dirt first with a thin degreaser.  I usually soak mine in brake cleaner, naphtha or acetone.  Then reapply a very small amount of light oil.  That'll likely fix the problem, unless you have a bad bearing or something.