Seizing Shimao Symetre

[Questor]

I've got a fairly new Shimano Symetre and it feels like it's seizing up. How do you keep these reels working? The reel only has about 30 hours on it and has mostly been used for catching panfish. Seems like an $80 reel ought to last more longer than that.

[Scott K]

I have 5 of these and just had one do the same thing to me this year, I havent taken it apart yet to find out if there is something wrong. Maybe someone else already has and we will learn from them.

[kslipsinker]

Return it where you purchased it if it is bad. Shimano is pretty good about standing behind their products. It sounds like something is wrong. You don't have line wound up under the spool, do you? Check that first.

[RedDB76]

I just had something similar happen last week - felt like there was line under the spool, but there wasn't.

After I got home, I took off the spool, then took off the set screw and nut holding the skirt or whatever it is called. Turns out there is a rubber washer under there that had gotten out of place, and was causing the tension. After putting it back where it belongs, everything is good.

I, too was very disappointed in this. It is less than a year old, and hasn't been used much until this year. I have a 6 or 7 year old Symetre that has seen a LOT of use with no problems.

Hopefully it was a fluke.

[Questor]

Thanks RedDB76. I'll have a look at that. My first inclination was to discard the reel, though. I really can't afford to have unreliable equipment.

[Questor]

I did discard the reel. This seems to be a common problem with this model and I really can't afford to use junk because I don't often carry backup gear.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Dang, I would've take it off your hands!!!

[Deitz Dittrich]

Common problem?... one that I have not heard of! If it was less than a year old, it would be under warrenty.

The symetry is not a Junk reel.. one of the top selling reels in the US.

[Questor]

Deitz:

I posted the question on a few other fishing forums and got similar responses there. Notice on this short thread two other people report the identical problem.

Since I had had bad luck with Shimanos years ago I was very reluctant when Thorne Brothers recommended the Symetre to me. But I figured, Hey! It's Thorne Brothers, they wouldn't steer me wrong. Oh well. I should call them and tell them I'm not happy with it. I don't hold it against Thorne Bros at all. It's the only problem I've ever had related to anything bought at that truly fine and excellent tackle shop.

Some have suggested sending it in for repairs. I figure if a reel can't even hold up to bluegill fishing, it's not worth fixing.

[Scott K]

Like I said I have 5 of them, I like them, awsome real for the $$. I have been using them for a long time, never had a problem, except this one. There may be a few out there with this problem but when there is that many made, the percentage of bad ones are most likely no higher then any other model.

[mrcarp]

Hi i had the same problem with my symetre to it cost me me biggest pike it just stopped like it was stuck. then it fell apart. bought a pflueger president and never going back. the pike incedent still hurts.

[Questor]

mrcarp:

I had the similar experience with my last Shimanos years ago. I started using Penn spinning reels then and they have been superb. The only reason we have this Shimano is that my son liked it and I wanted him to have equipment he likes. I use have used it sometimes too. The Shimano is built like a toy compared to the Penns, and the Penns work better and cost about the same.

Good to know about the Pfleuger. I'll have to consider them for a future reel. I like some of the features on them.