Hey guys I bought two of these reels for $50 a piece at Bass Pro. I am relatively new to baitcasting and have run into numerous problems.. although I am getting better at the casting. The instructions are not very clear on how to put the brakes on.. It is a 6 pin system and with the little plastic tabs.. I want to start by putting on ALL the brakes so do I push them all in or pull them out so they move freely? This is what it says:
"The brakes are in the "off" position when they are locked in place and cannot be moved." But later it says a contradictory statement.

Another question is that I Carolina-rigged on of them and cast it out and it screamed. I've heard that's a bad thing correct.. especially for a new reel? I always use saltaway after followed by freshwater after I fish. I used some ReelX and re-oiled it and will hopefully not do that this weekend when I go.

You've described a centrifugal brake system. Pushed out is "On" and in is "Off". The scream with casting heavy wts is probably because you have your star drag tightened way down. Here's a link that is kind of basic but has good pics http://pages.infinit.net/fishing/bait101.htm

By the way, welcome to the forum - lots of good info here . If you fish the salt, start posting in the Saltwater section.

Pull them out. If they are out, the weight is closer to the outside and it will spin slower, if they are in the weight is more concentrated to the center and it will spin faster.
I have the same reel and I always just leave all the brakes on, it casts plenty well even after you get used to using a baitcaster.

Think of it like this: have you ever sat in a chair that spins around? Well, when you spin yourself around, if you pull your legs in under you, you spin a little faster. Then, when you stick your legs straight out, you slow down. The brakes work the same way, if they're allowed to "stick out", they cause the spool not to spin quite as fast, get it?

akaCaster, nice web site!

Daniel,

Welcome to the forum. Regarding the squealing when you cast. I have had several reels do this. All when they were brand new and not all BPS reels. Upon casting, the little plastic sleeves that are set (out) actually contact a flat, brass ring inside the side plate. After assembly there is sometimes an accumulation of oil from the bearings and such. Take the side plate off and using a Q-tip soaked in alcohol run it several times around the brass ring removing excess oil. You might even wipe off the little plastic sleeves, too. Let it dry a few minutes, set your brakes however you want them, and put the side plate back on. Make a few practice casts and I think you'll find the squealing gone. Scott, the infamous MOOZ on our TFF and Team Leader at the BPS reel counter, showed me this and it has worked every time for me. If not, they'll make it good, no questions asked!

Hossman

thanks all for your input.

Daniel

Hossman was correct about the brakes, however I always put a very light coat of lube (mixture of oil and grease)on the brake drum and then wipe it off with a clean q-tip.

A dry bearing can cause the same noise. If fhe brake procedure does not correct the problem, try a small drop of reel oil on each bearing. One bearing should be in the side plate and the other will be under the cast control cap.

Sorry about the late post.

Hey I'm using ReelX to do my lubrication.. is that sufficient? What type of grease is recommended?

Ooh, don't put any oil anywhere near the braking surface or the pins.

Also, note that pulling the brake shoes out does not mean pulling them all the way out. There are two notches...all the way in, and the next one is considered out. If you go past the second notch, the shoes will fall off.