Took my new SLX DC out today for the first time. Smooth, casts a mile. Set the hook on a 2 1/2 lb. bass and couldn't reel it in. The fish was stripping line. I tightened the drag star as tight as I could and the fish was still stripping line. Checking the reel afterwards, the drag was minimal with the star tight. Is this a characteristic of this reel? ... or is something wrong?  (line is not slipping on spool)

Braid?

yes..30lb  not slipping on spool.

Something isn't right with the reel, or it's slipping.  Are you sure it's not slipping?  We have a thread like this about every two weeks.  It's ALWAYS the line slipping on the spool and you couldn't tell.  Put a little black dot on the spool with a dry erase marker, and check to see if it's moving with the line when pull line off.  Otherwise, it sounds like it may be defective, and need to be returned.

Okay, I did the marker as you said and guess what? It IS slipping, you were right! I think if I remove the braid and put a base layer of mono should correct the problem. Thanks!! ?

I knew it!  Glad you figured it out.

 

33 minutes ago, Old Pro said:

Okay, I did the marker as you said and guess what? It IS slipping, you were right! I think if I remove the braid and put a base layer of mono should correct the problem. Thanks!! ?

Just use a piece of electrical tape on the spool.