i think i made a mistake when i bought a pflueger. its a criterion and yes i realise its cheap but it had a good gear ratio for cranks. anyway the problem i had 3 times now is the spool will backspin for no reason. like if i catch a little grass, and try to just fling it off ,it just spins. i set the hook on one and it happened again. the third time i snagged a log with my x rap and tried to jerk it loose. backspin again birds nest in my reel. whats wrong with it and can it be fixed? is it a clutch problem? i only paid $50 for it is it even worth the trouble? what are some reasonable priced good reels $120 or less with a low gear ratio?

Check with Reel Mechanic I'm sure he can let u know what it might be and if its worth it to fix

i think i made a mistake when i bought a pflueger. its a criterion and yes i realise its cheap but it had a good gear ratio for cranks. anyway the problem i had 3 times now is the spool will backspin for no reason. like if i catch a little grass, and try to just fling it off ,it just spins. i set the hook on one and it happened again. the third time i snagged a log with my x rap and tried to jerk it loose. backspin again birds nest in my reel. whats wrong with it and can it be fixed? is it a clutch problem? i only paid $50 for it is it even worth the trouble? what are some reasonable priced good reels $120 or less with a low gear ratio?

Has nothing to do with the price of the reel.

Yea, you have an engagement pin on the spool shaft..

This pin engages the pinion gear in the 4 slots at the base of the gear. Those slots have gotten rounded out and the pinion yoke springs probably don't have enough downward pressure to keep the pinion gear engaged on that pin.

The pinion gear, if in a reel that I service, would be replaced and the pinion yoke springs would also...

The fact that it has happened on 3 different occasions, tells me you should do it now and don't use the reel until you do. It will only get worse..

Contact Pflueger, or check their website for their satellite service centers close to you...

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!