Spinning | Spincast | Baitcast

 
SPINNING TROUBLE
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTION
Line tangles when casting.
  1. Spool is overfilled with line.
  2. Line memory.
  3. Oversized line.
  • Reduce amount of line to 1/8" below spool lip.
  • Soak reel spool of line in water prior to use.
  • Remove line and fill spool with line size that is recommended for reel.
Gears rough or reel makes grinding noise on retrieve.
  1. Dirt or debris between spool and rotor or in gear system.
  • Clean inside of reel by rinsing thoroughly and lubricate properly.
Drag or spool locked-up at start of day.
  1. Drag disc seized to washers due to debris on disc.
  • Loosen drag tension and turn spool until drag discs break free. (Always loosen drag completely after fishing)
Bail will not trip or becomes sluggish.
  1. Bail spring is broken.
  2. Bail wire is bent.
  3. Dirt or debris in bail hinges.
  • Replace with new spring.
  • Replace with new bail wire assembly.
  • Remove bail wire assembly, clean thoroughly and lubricate with reel oil.
Line is twisting.
  1. Line was spooled on improperly.
  2. Lure spinning on retrieve.
  3. Bail wire is mis-shaped.
  • Replace line or play out line (without lure) behind boat if in river current to remove line twist. Note: when installing new line, make sure the line from supply spool is feeding off in the same direction the rotor is.
  • When trolling, make sure the lure is not fouled and is running true. When using in-line spinners, attach a ball bearing swivel to line.
  • Replace bail wire assembly.
Snapshot trigger lever loose or broken.
  1. Weak or broken trigger spring.
  2. Trigger and / or trigger link assembly worn or broken.
  3. Trigger assembly E-Clip missing or not in retaining groove.
  4. Trigger Assembly shaft hole in Rotor housing too loose.
  • Replace with new trigger spring.
  • Replace with new part(s).
  • Replace or install E-Clip in retaining groove.
  • Replace Rotor housing.
Snapshot feature will not grab or hold line to cast.
  1. Snapshot firing pin broken or missing.
  2. Bail wire bent or mis-shaped.
  • Replace Trigger Link assembly.
  • Replace Bail Wire assembly.
Bail closes when casting.
  1. Bail Spring weak.
  • Replace with new Bail Spring.
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SPINCAST TROUBLE
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTION
Reel Will Not Cast Line.
  1. Spool empty of line or insufficient line length.
  2. Line tangled behind spinnerhead.
  3. Reel spooled with inappropriate line (ie., too heavy or braided line).
  • Fill spool with new line or replace with new wound spool.
  • Remove front cover and spinnerhead assembly to untangle line.
  • Remove all damaged line (ie., abrasions, kinks).
  • Remove line and respool with proper size line. Note: Braided line may not work with spincast reels.
Gears appear to be rough when turning handle.
  1. Lack of lubrication (oil / grease) on gears, bearings and or crankshaft assembly.
  • Add proper lubrication to moving parts.
Reel will not pick-up line.
  1. Spinnerhead spring missing or broken.
  2. Lack of lubrication on spinnerhead pick-up arm.
  • Replace spinnerhead.
  • Add lubrication to spinnerhead pick-up arm on bottom side of spinnerhead.
Thumb button will not pop-up after depressing.
  1. Thumb button hinge ears broken.
  2. Thumb button spring broken or bent.
  • Replace thumb button or backcover assembly.
  • Bend spring back to original position.
  • Replace thumb button or backcover assembly
Front cover or backcover cracked.
  1. Covers overtightened.
  • Replace broken parts.
Anti-Reverse will not work.
  1. Anti-Reverse pawl damaged.
  2. Trigger and / or trigger link assembly worn or broken.
  • Replace Anti-Reverse Pawl.
  • Remove old grease or dirt / debris and relubricate with new grease.
Drag stuck (will not play out line).
  1. Drag washers corroded or have dirt / debris in and around spool and drag washer area.
  • Disassemble spool and drag washers and clean spool, spool boss (on body of reel), and drag washers.
Reel handle hard to crank.
  1. Gears, Mainshaft, or Crankshaft have old grease, dirt, or debris present.
  • Disassemble entire reel and clean thoroughly. Re-lube with new grease.
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BAITCAST TROUBLE
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTION
Spool will not rotate when handle is turned.
  1. Star Drag Knob is not properly tightened to engage spool.
  • Tighten Star Drag Knob.
Gears appear to be rough when turning handle.
  1. Lack of lubrication to gears and / or bearings.
  2. Lack of cleaning or maintenance has allowed dirt or debris in gear system
  3. Gears stripped or damaged.
  • Add light lubrication (oil, not grease) to gears and bearings.
  • Clean inside of reel by disassembling side covers, rinsing, and lubricating with light oil. While reassembling reel side covers, be sure not to force. Handle may have to be slightly turned to insure proper alignment of level wind gear.
  • Have an authorized technician replace gear set.
Drag will not hold, slips, or is not smooth.
  1. Star Drag knob has been left tightened down after use
  2. Oil or grease on drag washers.
  3. Braided line slipping on spool.
  • Replace drag washers. Be sure to always loosen drag after each use to prevent this damage.
  • Replace drag washers. Do not lubricate drag washers.
  • Install base of monofilament on spool before adding braided line. Note: To check for this condition, hold thumb on spool rim (securing spool) and see if line can be pulled from spool.
Reel squeaks or makes loud noise when casting.
  1. Lack of lubrication (oil) to spool shaft and / or spool shaft ends.
  2. Spool tension washers are worn.
  • Add lubrication (light oil) to spool shaft and spool shaft ends.
  • Remove spool tension knob and turn spool tension washer over. Replace if this has already been done once before. Remove spool bearing spring clip (on opposite side of reel), remove bearing, and turn spool tension washer over. Again, replace after both sides become worn.
Line guide (level wind) will not travel when cranking.
  1. Line guide pawl and / or worm shaft worn or damaged.
  2. Line guide pawl spring bent or missing.
  3. Line guide carrier screw (pawl cap) is loose.
  • Replace line guide pawl and / or worm shaft.
  • Replace line guide spring. Note: Not all models come with a line guide pawl spring, some models have shims to support pawl. Make sure the shims are in place.
  • Tighten line guide carrier screw.
Thumb bar / button will not pop up after handle is turned.
  1. Thumb bar / button or release slider spring is bent or broken.
  2. Dirt / debris in release slider.
  • Replace thumb bar / button spring or release slider spring.
  • Clean and relubricate release slider.
Reel will not cast with ease or for a reasonable distance.
  1. Spool tension washers worn.
  2. Spool tension adjusted too tight.
  3. Spool shaft needs lubrication.
  4. Old grease on spool shaft.
  5. Spool shaft bent.
  • Replace or reverse spool tension washers (see Reel squeaks).
  • Hold rod at 45 degree angle and depress spool release button / bar. Adjust spool tension knob to the point where the lure is descending very slowly (almost to the point of stopping). This adjustment must be performed each time a lure is changed.
  • Lubricate spool shaft and spool shaft ends with light oil.
  • Clean and relube spool shaft with light oil.
  • Replace spool assembly.
Consistent backlash when casting.
  1. Spool tension knob not adjusted properly.
  2. Magnetic cast control is not adjusted properly.
  3. Centrifugal cast control is not adjusted properly.
  4. Sideplate thumb screws are loose. Note: Disregard for those models that do not have Thumb Screws.
  • Hold rod at 45 degree angle and depress spool release button / bar.
  • Adjust spool tension knob to the point where the lure is descending very slowly (almost to the point of stopping). This adjustment must be performed each time a lure is changed.
  • Increase the magnetic cast control to maximum and adjust downward after a few casts until the desired spool braking is obtained
  • Remove spool and "turn on" (see owner's manual) all of the brake weights. Then turn one at a time to the off position until the desired spool braking is obtained.
  • Tighten sideplate thumb screws. Note: Some modes may have phillips head screws that hold the side cover on.
Gears slip or skip when reeling in fish.
  1. Pinion Gear and / or Spool Shaft damaged. Note: This type damage may occur with the following conditions:
  2. The spool is engaged before the spool quits turning or before the lure hits the water.
  3. When thumb bar is released in mid-cast while in Flippin Mode.
  4. The drag is set too tight while fishing with Super Line.
  • Replace Pinion Gear and / or Spool Assembly. Note: Use the following tips to avoid conditions that will damage the Pinion Gear and/or Spool Shaft:
  • Do not engage spool before the lure hits the water.
  • Do not release the Thumb Bar before the cast has finished (while in Flippin Mode).
  • Set Drag to allow for some line slippage on hooksets when fishing with Super Line.

(top) Compliments of Zebco Corporation