spinning reel question

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SkinnyJoe

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I have a generic Shakespeare spinning reel (from the Cheap Ba****d series, model 101), relatively new, and yesterday I noticed that on several retrieves the reel was working with some weird-feeling resistance (for no apparent reason), the front to back movement of the spool was diminished, and the line was being deposited on the front end of the spool, rather than evenly. This has happened only 2-3 times on this trip. Also noticed at times that the operation is kinda rough and noisy. My last several casts were normal resistance-wise, but the roughness was still there, like a faint grinding feeling, especially as the lure was getting close to the tip of the rod.

Would oiling the mechanism fix this, or does this sound like something more elaborate?

Thanks.
 
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Are you capable of taking it apart and inspecting it. You might want to edit language so you don't get dinged.
 
Check the lube and use penn grease or other similar. Take off the spool and inspect for crud and make sure it seats properly on the post. Also check the bail for proper seating and make sure the line rides on the pivot. Although cheap, it's amazing how well cheap rods and reels will function. Shakespeare is a solid make, although it's not a Penn.

If it's new maybe it's the salt water. Rinse your tackle under fresh water when you're done to remove the salt. Also make sure the crank (handle) is tightened all the way in. Sometimes when it's loose it will make a grinding sound.

If it happened intermittently, it may be loose gears inside. Not too complex inside, you might take a look.

Best,

-Coop
 
What Coop said. Reels are rather simple and opening it up will show you a few gears and some bearings. A simple rinse and oil work wonders most of the time.
 
I'll second what others have said here, but I know from experience that grinding and resistance often spell the end of a reel. It may lock up on you at some point in the future. Have had that happen with an Abu Garcia and a Quantum, both good spinning reels as long as they lasted. It happens sometimes even though you take care of your stuff. And I do. I've religiously rinsed salt water when fishing on the Gulf, and I periodically lube/maintain my reels. Try the flush and lube, but I would head out the door with a spare just in case.
 
I've had several reels apart---cleaned and lubed them---it makes all the difference in the world. But one warning! If you do that (clean and lube) and you fix the the reel, you won't have a good excuse to buy another one.
 
If you casting in SW get a SW reel. I ruined two normal reels (one was a bass pro and the other a pflueger) before I fully got this simple idea.
There are cheaper alternatives to a penn. I have a really nice large penn that I used for offshore but a cheaper (I'll look at the brand when I get home) model that I used for fishing in the inlet and brackish water. If a regular reel gets dunked in sw it will be done without pretty immediate action in my experience.

If your in FW forget everything that I just wrote and oil it. Also check to make sure it's not wrapped around the tip ;)
 
TLR said:
Also check to make sure it's not wrapped around the tip ;)
Click to expand...

Ha! I was going to suggest this too... as dumb as it sounds. Maybe you line is wrapped up somewhere, and it will still cast freely, but as soon as you get tension on it, its binding up. I doubt it, but worth a check.
 
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