I have a 5:1:1 Pflueger Criterion (Bottom line I know). My old cranking reel has just croaked on me. I had to have something so I bought this from a co-worker at a lovely $7. He said it worked but made a noise, thinking, "how bad could it be?" I took it out and wouldn't you know it screams like a bob-cat when you throw it. Any suggestions on how to fix it? Again its a 5:1:1 Pflueger Criterion (burnt orange). I have a tournament Sunday so I have to get this thing in working order. Please help.

i would try and oil the bearings and go from there.mine make a terrible sound when the oil gets low.hope thats all it is.good luck

Might even be the line making the noise.  I have one reel right now that is in need of new line and it's currently starting to make a frying sizzling noise as I cast it.  Line is low on the spool, when I cast out I can see the shadows of the perforations in the spool after the cast is complete.  Got fluorocarbon on it, don't know if that would be an issue getting into the core line on the spool like I am now but all the rest of my reels don't make that noise and they have pretty much full spools compared to this one.

I actually just finished reassembling it. I cleaned and oiled it. It seems to be better. Ill tie on a casting plug and find out come morning. Thanks.

if ur doing a tourny and ur relying on this reel ,,best bet is go grab a abu 4600c3 .that way u will know nothing will go wrong

I actually have had the same noise coming out of a Fuego, but it still casts like a dream and handles any fish with ease.  Im interested in hearing, what may be wrong if anything. :-/

Broke the reel apart again. I cleaned and lubricated the reel and now it seems to be working properly. So if your bait caster starts to scream take it apart, clean and lube it up.