Baitcaster Gears Slipping - Not Reeling

[jeffyo45]

I have a Shakespeare baitcaster that seems to be alot like the Abu Garcia C3's or C4's. The problem is it seems like the gears, or whatever drives the reel to reel up the line, are slipping. It started out just happening once in awhile but now it pretty much won't reel at all. Is this something I can fix or should I bring it somewhere to be looked at? I don't know much about baitcasters to begin with and I bought this one used so I don't have a manual for it. It says it has a one way clutch on it. Where would that be located? I thought maybe that would be the problem. Thanks for any advice/help anyone can give.

[delmuts]

jeff . since you don't have any exsperience in repairing reels; take it to some one that does and ask them. a good repairman should be able to give you an idea and let you decide if it is worth it. del

[Swamp Scooter]

One thing to check is that the line guide/slide that goes across the reel to wind on the line does not have gunk in it. Over time mine got sticky and greasy. It would not travel to get the line on evenly and at times froze up. I just took it apart and cleaned it really well and it is going again.

[Big Bobber]

If you are using a braided line, try stripping the line off, then respooling the line. Sometime the line doesn't lay correctly on the spool and will cause problems with the reel. Just something to try.

[Surface Tension]

Tighten your drag. Should be a star along side the handle.

[Ranger sport]

Is your line release lever sticking?

[redhooks]

I heard that whenever storing baitcasters for long periods of time it's a good idea to back the drag off to give your drag washers a break, otherwise they may get deformed (flattened) and lose effectiveness. I'm not sure but at least replacing the drag washers is probably a cheap and easy fix.
redhooks

[jeffyo45]

Ranger Sport

I thought that was the case but when this first started happening I would start reeling in and this would happen mid-retrieve and then start reeling again. Then it would happen a couple of times mid-retrieve. Then it just got progressively worse to where it pretty much won't reel at all now.

Thanks everyone for the thoughts/advice. I am going to try to open it up tonight and if I can't figure it out I am going to take it somewhere. Which leads me to my next question in a different post.

[This message has been edited by jeffyo45 (edited 08-16-2004).]

[swampman]

I am having the same problem with a new C-4 I bought it as a demo from gander so I got a few bucks off but it was a as is item. if you figure yours out I would be interested to know.

[jeffyo45]

Tightening the drag has not worked. I have it as tight as I can turn it.

[scalescratcher]

Don't know if this is related but I had a similar problem with a Abu 6500C3. Turned out that the mounting post for the handle assembly that is attached to the base had begun to turn. It should remain fixed. Sent the reel back to Garcia and within a week got it back repaired.