Thanks to a recent poster with a link to a Shimano youtube video I cleaned up one of my Shimano E200 reel and was super impressed with the difference it made in the reel's performance. So I decided to do the same thing to my Johnny Morris series baitcaster. This reel has a button on the plate which, when mashed, is supposed to release the plate. I've mashed and pushed and done a little prying with no luck in getting the plate to release. BPS is a long drive from here. Anyone have a tip on how to get that plate to release so I can clean the reel?

You have to twist the end plate.... it does'nt just pop off

Thanks to a recent poster with a link to a Shimano youtube video I cleaned up one of my Shimano E200 reel and was super impressed with the difference it made in the reel's performance. So I decided to do the same thing to my Johnny Morris series baitcaster. This reel has a button on the plate which, when mashed, is supposed to release the plate. I've mashed and pushed and done a little prying with no luck in getting the plate to release. BPS is a long drive from here. Anyone have a tip on how to get that plate to release so I can clean the reel?

The first time opening them can be a bear. Press in on the release with your thumb and rotate the side plate at the same time. I think the front rotates up. Loosen the cast control to take any pressure off the side plate.