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Shimano SLX XT drag problem #14063901 07/16/21 02:59 PM
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Ben B Offline OP
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I’ve got a shimano SLX XT that I bought less than 6 months ago and have 65lb braid on it. Yesterday I pulled it out of the rod box and noticed that there was no drag on it at all. I tighted it down as tight as I could and still no drag. I’m wondering if somehow since that braid has absolutely no give, that over time the tension wore out the drag while in storage. So I have 2 questions:

1) If I take the reel apart (can do that no problem) how can I be sure that the drag washer is the issue?
2) If in fact it is the tension from the braided line when it is stored, do you guys recommend just cutting the bait off before storing each time? I’ve never heard of that or had an issue with drag going bad (especially not on a basically brand new reel) but any ideas are welcome.

Moritz Chevrolet - 9101 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX - Monte Coon (817) 696-2003
Re: Shimano SLX XT drag problem [Re: Ben B] #14063904 07/16/21 03:00 PM
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Fishinfellow Offline
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Make sure your braid isn't slipping on the spool. I'd bet that's your problem. Strip the reel down, ad a small piece of electrical tape on the spool, retie on your braid then try it.

Last edited by Fishinfellow; 07/16/21 03:01 PM.

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Re: Shimano SLX XT drag problem [Re: Ben B] #14064001 07/16/21 04:34 PM
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Also don't store your reels with the drags maxed. Drag washers do have some memory. A


Originally Posted by lakeforkfisherman
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Re: Shimano SLX XT drag problem [Re: Fishinfellow] #14064003 07/16/21 04:36 PM
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Ben B Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Fishinfellow
Make sure your braid isn't slipping on the spool. I'd bet that's your problem. Strip the reel down, ad a small piece of electrical tape on the spool, retie on your braid then try it.


Not a bad thought, but it’s definitely the spool…I can see it turning as I pull the line out. I’m going to have to replace the drag washers for sure.

Out of curiosity…with braid, do you always tape the bottom of the spool before spooling it?

Re: Shimano SLX XT drag problem [Re: ChanceHuiet] #14064007 07/16/21 04:38 PM
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Ben B Offline OP
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Originally Posted by ChanceHuiet
Also don't store your reels with the drags maxed. Drag washers do have some memory. A


That’s kinda what I was afraid of. I’m not sure the drag was maxed out, but it was definitely tightened for a good hook set, especially on a heavy flipping set up like that. I appreciate the tip!

Re: Shimano SLX XT drag problem [Re: Ben B] #14064035 07/16/21 05:02 PM
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Fishinfellow Offline
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Originally Posted by Ben B
Originally Posted by Fishinfellow
Make sure your braid isn't slipping on the spool. I'd bet that's your problem. Strip the reel down, ad a small piece of electrical tape on the spool, retie on your braid then try it.


Not a bad thought, but it’s definitely the spool…I can see it turning as I pull the line out. I’m going to have to replace the drag washers for sure.

Out of curiosity…with braid, do you always tape the bottom of the spool before spooling it?


I wouldn't be so sure lol. I've had it happen to buddies and myself where I had the same thought as you but it was just slipping. Do you have it spooled completely full? Sometimes it can be hard to tell if the spool is actually moving or not.

And I don't always put tape on the spool, if I can get the braid cinched down tight enough to not slip when I first start spooling it up then I don't add any tape.


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Re: Shimano SLX XT drag problem [Re: Fishinfellow] #14064063 07/16/21 05:26 PM
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Ben B Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Fishinfellow
Originally Posted by Ben B
Originally Posted by Fishinfellow
Make sure your braid isn't slipping on the spool. I'd bet that's your problem. Strip the reel down, ad a small piece of electrical tape on the spool, retie on your braid then try it.


Not a bad thought, but it’s definitely the spool…I can see it turning as I pull the line out. I’m going to have to replace the drag washers for sure.

Out of curiosity…with braid, do you always tape the bottom of the spool before spooling it?


I wouldn't be so sure lol. I've had it happen to buddies and myself where I had the same thought as you but it was just slipping. Do you have it spooled completely full? Sometimes it can be hard to tell if the spool is actually moving or not.

And I don't always put tape on the spool, if I can get the braid cinched down tight enough to not slip when I first start spooling it up then I don't add any tape.


There is a spot where the edge of the spool - just a tiny bit above the line when it is fully spooled - has a small knick in the blue finish of the spool itself. Where I pull the line out I look at that and it is definitely spinning around, indicating the spool is turning. I do appreciate your suggestion though...it may have saved me the trip to SW Parts for new washers if that was in fact the case. And I do like the tape idea...thank you again.

Re: Shimano SLX XT drag problem [Re: Ben B] #14066026 07/18/21 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Ben B
I’ve got a shimano SLX XT that I bought less than 6 months ago and have 65lb braid on it. Yesterday I pulled it out of the rod box and noticed that there was no drag on it at all. I tighted it down as tight as I could and still no drag. I’m wondering if somehow since that braid has absolutely no give, that over time the tension wore out the drag while in storage. So I have 2 questions:

1) If I take the reel apart (can do that no problem) how can I be sure that the drag washer is the issue?
2) If in fact it is the tension from the braided line when it is stored, do you guys recommend just cutting the bait off before storing each time? I’ve never heard of that or had an issue with drag going bad (especially not on a basically brand new reel) but any ideas are welcome.


I would have also bet it was the line slipping on the spool. Seen it many times when guys tie direct to the spool with a reel that has a slick spool. I always keep a few yards of old mono on my reels and just tie onto whatever line I am spooling up to that. Sound like the anti reverse bearing is bad on your reel. If 6 mos old it will be covered under warranty.



Re: Shimano SLX XT drag problem [Re: Ben B] #14066205 07/18/21 11:31 PM
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Do you have some other line attached to the spool or do you have the braid tied directly to the spool? If it is braid tied directly to the spool, that is your problem. It is slipping.

Re: Shimano SLX XT drag problem [Re: Fishinfellow] #14066275 07/19/21 01:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Fishinfellow
Make sure your braid isn't slipping on the spool. I'd bet that's your problem. Strip the reel down, ad a small piece of electrical tape on the spool, retie on your braid then try it.


This ^^^^^^^^^

Re: Shimano SLX XT drag problem [Re: Ben B] #14066453 07/19/21 11:15 AM
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I have killed 2 of these reels in less than a year. Was really hoping Shimano had a lower end reel that was somewhat durable, not the case. Absolutely love the feel and cast ability of these reels, but they cannot handle 3 days a week of use and heavy line big shock applications. Unfortunately you get what you pay for with this one.

Last edited by buda13; 07/19/21 11:16 AM.



Re: Shimano SLX XT drag problem [Re: Ben B] #14067054 07/19/21 08:38 PM
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Definitely braid slipping. Either put a little mono or tape it so it won’t slip.


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