I purchased this baitcaster last season. I've used it maybe 15 times, and last weekend I went fishing with no issues. I picked it up today and was going to put a new hook on the line when I noticed I could freely pull the line from the reel with no resistance. I tried to reel back in the line that was pulling away and nothing happened. The line did not retrieve. I set the drag, brake, and tension knob fully tight and it didn't make a difference. I watched a video of a guy with a similar issue, and all he did was tighten the drag fully, then all the way loose and somehow it popped back in gear. This was not my case.

 

I'm going to be taking it apart and was wondering if anyone had any advice on what to look for once it's disassembled.

 

Thanks 

29 minutes ago, fatfish said:

I purchased this baitcaster last season. I've used it maybe 15 times, and last weekend I went fishing with no issues. I picked it up today and was going to put a new hook on the line when I noticed I could freely pull the line from the reel with no resistance. I tried to reel back in the line that was pulling away and nothing happened. The line did not retrieve. I set the drag, brake, and tension knob fully tight and it didn't make a difference. I watched a video of a guy with a similar issue, and all he did was tighten the drag fully, then all the way loose and somehow it popped back in gear. This was not my case.

 

I'm going to be taking it apart and was wondering if anyone had any advice on what to look for once it's disassembled.

 

Thanks 

Line is slipping off the spool maybe? is it braided line?

40 minutes ago, T2DM said:

Line is slipping off the spool maybe? is it braided line?

I think that was the issue. Yes braided line.

 

All the gears looked good and the with the spool out, I took one of the gears and was able to spin the spool. If I held onto the outer edge of the spool I couldn't turn it, but when I held it from the center (the line) it would spin easily.

 

My best guess is that half of the line wasn't wound tight.

 

 

1 hour ago, fatfish said:

I think that was the issue. Yes braided line.

 

All the gears looked good and the with the spool out, I took one of the gears and was able to spin the spool. If I held onto the outer edge of the spool I couldn't turn it, but when I held it from the center (the line) it would spin easily.

 

My best guess is that half of the line wasn't wound tight.

 

 

Gears usually are not supposed to cause any line slippage issues but a worn out drag washer could, assuming the line is spooled or with correct backing (mono or some kind of tape). 

 

Re-spool with correct backing and you should be good to go.

49 minutes ago, T2DM said:

Gears usually are not supposed to cause any line slippage issues but a worn out drag washer could, assuming the line is spooled or with correct backing (mono or some kind of tape). 

 

Re-spool with correct backing and you should be good to go.

That's a good idea. I have braid all the way. What is generally best practice? About 8lb mono?

Like you said I'm not totally convinced it was the line although fairly sure. It still could be the washers as you stated, but it appears to be working normally after I pulled the line out and rewound it.

31 minutes ago, fatfish said:

That's a good idea. I have braid all the way. What is generally best practice? About 8lb mono?

Like you said I'm not totally convinced it was the line although fairly sure. It still could be the washers as you stated, but it appears to be working normally after I pulled the line out and rewound it.

Any cheap mono 8-10lb about a few yards or straight braid but use the spools port holes to tie the braid first so it won't slip, there are few ways to do it and a lot of guys in here have all kind of advice.

 

Black Max should come with carbon drag washer and should last quite a long time. I'm pretty sure the drag washers are fine.

Not just tight. You need backing, mono or tape for the braid to grab.