Centrifugal Reel Brakes

txlawman78 · Post by **txlawman78** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 2:02 am

I had someone tell me once (and he was very adament about this) that the centrifugal brake blocks on a reel spool had to be adjusted evenly. That is to say, the blocks directly opposite each other had to be in the same position.

If they were not set in the same position, he said it would "off balance" the spool and casting distance would suffer.

Can anyone tell me if this is true?

Thanks.

Mitchw123456 · Post by **Mitchw123456** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:07 am

I'm not buying it.. the brakes slide in and out on the small shafts so I highly doubt they would land back i nthe same exact place everytime. Now polishing the drum will help tremondously with casting distance

Capt. Caveman · Post by **Capt. Caveman** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:21 am

Yes, it is true. If you have two of the "brakes" on they should be on opposite sides of the center shaft. If your reel has six brakes and you need three on, then you would skip every other one. I haven't tried combinations or four or more. I usually switch between two and three.
If you want to see how it affects your reel, try it. Mine had a noticable loss in distance.

Reelworld · Post by **Reelworld** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:29 am

It only makes sense that anything rotating should be balanced. Just like the tires on your car. Off .25 of an ounce and it will vibrate.