Recently purchased this reel and can’t seem to get it tuned in and find the sweet spot with the tension and breaks. The spool is out of control in a way no matter how I set the brakes or tension. I’m sure it’s some form of user error but I’m not sure what yet I could be doing. Any ideas on how I could fix this issue?

I don't have that particular reel, but I do have a curado k, which it is based on, just a lighter spool. 

 

I set my Curado k with 2 internal brakes on 2 off. If in the wind then 3 on 1 off. The outside dial is usually set at 4, but adjust as needed. The spool tension is set so the bait falls to the floor in about 2 seconds. So not super loose and not super tight. The tension is enough that I don't have to loosen it to open and close the side plate. 

 

Depending on your experience level your setting may vary. Better to up the brakes if your just learning. If your experienced then the above setting should work. Usually toss a weightless senko, weighted texas rigs, Frogs, etc. All around the 3/8-3/4oz range. I have gone as low as a weightless trick worm, but it's not ideal, but doable. 

 

Spooled with 40lb braid. 

Im asking the obvious ?

 

Are the brakes "turned on"??? 

 

When you take the sideplate off and touch the brake shoes do the brake shoes swivel or are they firmly in place. 

They do need to be able to swivel meaning "on position"

If firmly in place they are off.

The dial isnt the only way to adjust the brake amount.

Shimano recommends leaving all four brakes on and adjusting with the dial.  Mine gets squirrely at the lower numbers depending on wind and lure profile which is just what I want.