I just bought a 5501 C3. I took it out to try it and the reel is not engaging after I cast. I have to crank the handle like 5 times before it will start taking up line. I have never had a round reel before so i want to know if I am doing something wrong, but i think it is broken.

I just bought a 5501 C3. I took it out to try it and the reel is not engaging after I cast. I have to crank the handle like 5 times before it will start taking up line. I have never had a round reel before so i want to know if I am doing something wrong, but i think it is broken.

If you have the drags set and after the cast you don't hear/feel the reel click into gear when you crank the handle, then you have a re-engagement problem and the reel should be sent back/returned to where ever you purchased it from.

An after thought.......

What do you have it spooled with? Braid, Mono, etc.

If you spooled braid did you place a backer on the arbor first? If not the line is probably slipping. If you spool mono and didn't get the knot tight on the spools arbor it could be slipping also.

Good Luck & Tight Lines!

Put a little more effort into pushing the thumb bar release and see if that corrects it. It may not be disengaging completely like you are doing it now.

Put a little more effort into pushing the thumb bar release and see if that corrects it. It may not be disengaging completely like you are doing it now.

Good Point!   

I spooled it with braid but backed by mono, it is on there good not slipping. I am pushing the button all the way down but it is not popping back up to re-engage. I just got a dud, I'll have to exchange it.