Discovered tonight that even when I tighten the star drag on my Curado all the way, I'm able to easily pull line out with little pressure.
Does anybody have any experience with a similar problem, or suggestions for troubleshooting the issue?
Regards,
Chad
How old is the reel? Have you ever had it cleaned?
The reel is only a year old. I've never taken it apart to clean.
Chad
If the two drag washers dry out and/or end up adhering to the drive gear and/or key washer, you will experience what you are experiencing. If you are mechanically inclined, I would suggest pulling the reel apart (not really hard with Curados...I do it all the time) and re-grease the felt drag washers. There are a couple good examples of pulling apart and cleaning reels out on the Web that could help you out...
Curados are good reels but they do not come properly greased. Straight out of the box a few good days fishing and you will have problems. Grese it up and it will be fine, make sure you get the bearings they are the source of a lot of problems.
-Matt
Shimano does an excelent job in lubricating the drag washers along with the rest of the reel. My first question is: you may not have been in the reel but did you take the handle off and look at the spring drag washers? If so it is possible that the back stop sleeve may have become disengaged from the main drag plate and no matter how tight you turn the drag it will slip. If you took the spring washers off make sure that the bends are opposing each other. Another possibility is that the back stop is dry(the indicator for this is the handle will also turn backwards), remover the handle, drag star and washers ( lay them out in the same order AND orientation) you will then see the top of the back stop (one way clutch/bearing) run a smalll amount of reel oil around the OD of the sleeve (try not to over oil) above all DO NOT USE GREASE TO LUBRICATE.
If the sleeve did become disengeged then you need to rotate the sleeve while gently pushing it against the main drag plate to get the tabs to go bach into the washer, this works most of the time but sometimes it will require that you need to get into the reel.
The Curado is one of the easiest reels to maintain, clean it once a year and give the level wind shaft oil several times during the season and it's will last for years.
If you continue to have problems you can send me the reel and I will get it up and running. Just let me know.
REEL_MAN
Also, what line do you have on the reel? If it's braid did you put mono backing on first? Had to ask, some guys haven't heard that you have to add the mono backing first. Brain will slip on the spool and you think the drag is slipping, but it's the line slipping on the spool.
REEL_MAN
Quote from: REEL_MAN on July 20, 2006, 12:36:39 PM
Also, what line do you have on the reel? If it's braid did you put mono backing on first? Had to ask, some guys haven't heard that you have to add the mono backing first. Brain will slip on the spool and you think the drag is slipping, but it's the line slipping on the spool.
REEL_MAN
Bingo! I just put braided line on the day before with no backing when I noticed the problem. I'll check into it when I get home tonight. I'm learning something new every day at this site.?
How much mono backing should I put on? A good layer that covers the spool?
Thanks to everyone for their replies; hopefully, I can get this sorted out tonight.
Chad
You don't need much backing, just enough to cover the bottom of the spool. 10 yards or so. That braid will slip every time. Wind that mono on good and tight and you will be good to go!
Seth
If you are on a budget put as much cheap mono on that you can afford though. Just be sure you have enough braid for the longest of casts.
I learned this one the hard way as well until reading this site. Best site around for good info!! I put all braid on my first baitcaster and had this problem.
B
The reel is/was good to go. I put a mono backing line on and everthing is back to normal. Chalk this one up to operator error.
Thanks again for all of the guidance!? ....time to try some scum frogs this weekend
Chad
Occam?s razor cuts again. Thanks REEL_MAN (and everyone else) for good advice. Even though the simplest and most obvious was the answer again, all the information is helpful along the way.
Reel Man,
Can I send you a Curado or two to clean and fix as needed? I have been looking for someone who can do this and you sound like the man I'm looking for.
Sure Dan,
I'll Email you the details and where to send them.
REEL_MAN
If you don't want to bother with a mono backing, just put a piece of electrical tape around the spool, quick, easy, no knots, and your good to go.