I just got a 2022 Shimano Bantam and it was really smooth and didn’t cause me any issues. But recently I noticed that after reeling in my lure and trying to adjust the distance the lure has from the tip of the rod to cast again, the lure does not move. Even with my tension knob being really loose, the lure stays put. It does affect the casting distance because it acts as if all the breaks are on and the tension knob is tight. Another thing, it’s though that the moment I turn the side plate as if I’m taking it off, the lure runs freely and the spool runs smoothly again. But as soon as I tighten the side plate, the lure doesn’t move. 
 

Has anyone faced this issue before and how do you fix this? 

I could be wrong, but it sounds like you have too much spool tension somehow.

 

I was also going to point out Silent Tune O-rings but that only affects the side to side play adjustment.

It does sound like too much spool tension.  Here are a couple things for the test.

 

1- back of the spool tension so that there is a little side to side play of the spool with the spool release button depressed.  Turn the handle to click the button back up.

2- take off the side plate as you noted and inspect for a loose wrap of line that got over the edge of the spool.  Inspect the bearing in the side plate for heavy corrosion (like you got saltwater crusties on it) that would stop it turning.

3- put all 6 brakes (4?) into the locked down position (aka off) and put the side plate back on.

4- Check that your line isn't overspooled and catching on the frame between the spool and the reel foot

5- depress button and watch lure fall (stop it with your thumb before it hits the floor and backlashes).  It should freefall to the floor with no issues.  

Is really loose spool tension the same as just eliminating side to side play or is it more loose than that?  Shimano recommends setting the spool tension to just eliminate play.

1 hour ago, Bigbox99 said:

Is really loose spool tension the same as just eliminating side to side play or is it more loose than that?  Shimano recommends setting the spool tension to just eliminate play.

 

the blue text is actually 'a little play' in that definition.  They say get to zero play and then back it off a hair, which if you got the exact point of zero play means you'll get just a touch of play.  I do the oopposite on my shimanos- find the point of no play and add just a speck (maybe 1/16th of a turn).  On heavier lures I might add a good bit more and back off the brakes just to save my thumb.  Regardless, getting close to that zero play point is where you want to target IF you use the brakes (or your thumb) for spool control.  If you use the spool tension as your control then it will be a completely different setup.

24 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

the blue text is actually 'a little play' in that definition.  They say get to zero play and then back it off a hair, which if you got the exact point of zero play means you'll get just a touch of play.  I do the oopposite on my shimanos- find the point of no play and add just a speck (maybe 1/16th of a turn).  On heavier lures I might add a good bit more and back off the brakes just to save my thumb.  Regardless, getting close to that zero play point is where you want to target IF you use the brakes (or your thumb) for spool control.  If you use the spool tension as your control then it will be a completely different setup.

Yeah, Shimano even has different instructions for the US market that say you can use tension if you want. I assume they did this to not make any waves with the US market that thinks you have to use spool tension.  My point is that "really lose spool tension" may still be greater than zero spool tension since it's subjective as to what "really lose" means and US users are  notorious for cranking down on that knob.  A good starting point it to set it to zero side to side play or with a smidgen of play so you are sure it is at zero and then troubleshoot from there.

Sounds like you have too much line on your spool.

23 hours ago, Enosh said:

I just got a 2022 Shimano Bantam and it was really smooth and didn’t cause me any issues. But recently I noticed that after reeling in my lure and trying to adjust the distance the lure has from the tip of the rod to cast again, the lure does not move. Even with my tension knob being really loose, the lure stays put. It does affect the casting distance because it acts as if all the breaks are on and the tension knob is tight. Another thing, it’s though that the moment I turn the side plate as if I’m taking it off, the lure runs freely and the spool runs smoothly again. But as soon as I tighten the side plate, the lure doesn’t move. 
 

Has anyone faced this issue before and how do you fix this? 

One of my 2018 does the same.   I can loosen the side plate and nothing happens.    I have to push the spool in place (maybe because of the silent tune o-ring) and then it works as it should as is no longer tighter.   My other 3 bantams don’t act like that though. 

20 hours ago, Rockhopper said:

Sounds like you have too much line on your spool.

 

^^ This what I think too.

 

scott

 

 

On 7/24/2025 at 12:13 PM, Rockhopper said:

Sounds like you have too much line on your spool.

If that's the case, the OP should be able to feel that by pulling line out after disengaging the spool.  I've only had it happen once to me.  Filled spool like normal, but on that reel I had to remove a few feet of line as it was rubbing.

14 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

One of my 2018 does the same.   I can loosen the side plate and nothing happens.    I have to push the spool in place (maybe because of the silent tune o-ring) and then it works as it should as is no longer tighter.   My other 3 bantams don’t act like that though. 

This is probably the culprit.