My First Shimano Reel! 2025

Hawg Fan reply :

Well, after all the talk about shimano being all hype and me bugging you guys about curados and citicas last week I finally went out and bough a Citica. It is amazing compared to the BPS Bill Dance Quantum Combo I bough last year (Which is an excellent combo $60). The citica is very smooth, and it casts, pitches, and flips like a dream. I havent noticed any play like others have been talking about. The only problem I have had is trying to find out what combination I need for the braking system. I was wondering what you guys normally have your brakes set on and if you tighten your cast control knob for your lure to have a slow fall. It seems like the only way i can avoid some minor backlash when pitching is if i tighten the cast control knob to where the lure doesnt move at all unless I shake it down to the ground with the rod. Any Suggestions?

Thanks,

Hawg Fan

bronzeback01 reply :

i started that thread about the play but i was talking spinning reels not baitcast reels.

DRat reply :

Adjust so lure falls to ground and stops. Then practice untill you'r thumb is trained.

Micro reply :

Quote
Well, after all the talk about shimano being all hype and me bugging you guys about curados and citicas last week I finally went out and bough a Citica. It is amazing compared to the BPS Bill Dance Quantum Combo I bough last year (Which is an excellent combo $60). The citica is very smooth, and it casts, pitches, and flips like a dream. I havent noticed any play like others have been talking about. The only problem I have had is trying to find out what combination I need for the braking system. I was wondering what you guys normally have your brakes set on and if you tighten your magnet for your lure to have a slow fall. It seems like the only way i can avoid some minor backlash when pitching is if i tighten the magnet to where the lure doesnt move at all unless I shake it down to the ground with the rod. Any Suggestions?
Thanks,

Hawg Fan

What you are talking about tightening isn't a magnet, or the brake. It's the cast control knob on the side of the reel where the handle is.

I don't have a Citica, but I have several baitcasters and they are pretty much the same. Setting the cast control knob so that you lure falls when you jiggle the line is the way I like it. I can get good casting distances and minimal backlashes. Others may have a different preference.

The brake is on the other side of the reel - under the sideplate. You'll see the knob to get the side plate off. When you do, you will see the brake on the end of the spool. It has six pins with a little plastic weight on each one. You turn a brake ON by snapping it UP above the first tab (that holds it down). You turn it OFF by snapping all the way down so that it doesn't move. A lot of people like to have two ON and 4 OFF. I'd try this first, then adjust them as you see fit or if you just want to experiment. I think, though, that when you have more than one ON, you ought to try to make the ones that are ON symmetrical. In other words, if you have two ON, they ought to be directly across from one another. It sort of balances the brake.

hawgchaser reply :

Congrats! Can't go wrong with a Citica. I would pull every other bead out on the braking system. Then set the spool so that the bait drops to the ground then stops.(like previously mentioned) This should get you started.

daviscw reply :

Quote
Well, after all the talk about shimano being all hype and me bugging you guys about curados and citicas last week I finally went out and bough a Citica. It is amazing compared to the BPS Bill Dance Quantum Combo I bough last year (Which is an excellent combo $60). The citica is very smooth, and it casts, pitches, and flips like a dream. I havent noticed any play like others have been talking about. The only problem I have had is trying to find out what combination I need for the braking system. I was wondering what you guys normally have your brakes set on and if you tighten your magnet for your lure to have a slow fall. It seems like the only way i can avoid some minor backlash when pitching is if i tighten the magnet to where the lure doesnt move at all unless I shake it down to the ground with the rod. Any Suggestions?
Thanks,

Hawg Fan

Luckkkyyy! I've been away at college and haven't been home to use mine yet. I'm glad to hear more good things about it though. Most people keep 2 of the centrifugal brakes on, then adjust the cast control knob accordingly.

Hawg Fan reply :

Yeah, I have the brakes set at every other one right now. I adjusted my casting control knob to where my lure doesnt fall unless I slightly jiggle it down to the floor. No backlash. Ah, i didnt know you were talking about spinning reels. Sorry.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

Ballistik reply :

HAWG OK 1st if you have the concept of a bait cster down ok then start out with about 3 brakes out and 3 in, do every other brake out to ballence the spool. 2nd tighten the spool up a little and as you cast slowly loosen till your liking.

Now rules to remember, setting the tension so the bait slowly falls is a good place to star but dont leave it there if you have control and want more distance.

2nd If your line starts to backlash in the beginning of your cast ou need more brakes.

If the line is backlashing at the end of your cast before it hits the water you need more spool tension.

If you fallow those rules you can tune your bait caster in a couple of cast and it will work for most lures you put on it pending on the wind conditions. On windy days I like to use 3 brakes and calm days I use 2 and my spool is almost free spooling. But thats just for how I cast and each person is different. The VBS braks work great once you get them tuned.

Also a quick tip for you. Put a couple of drops of oil on a q tip and rub it around the brass ring where the brakes touch and this will increase your casting distance and increase the break efficiancy. This was told to me by Shimano and WOW does it work great. I actyall put a drop of oil on 3 pins and give it one good cast and done for a couple of hours of use.

I hope I didnt bore you but shimano system is very easy and very effictive if tuned correctly.

Good luck.

Hawg Fan reply :

Hey Thanks, yeah ive used baitcasters for a couple of years. I just havent used one with a VBS and one that is so smooth and fast like shimanos. I appreciate all the information and the tip. I will definately have to give that a try.

skillet reply :

UPS delivered a package for me today!!! A CITICA (no. 2) Love 'em . IMHO if you get backlash (Professional Overrun) at the end of your cast, you need to have a heart to heart talk with your thumb ...

As Ever,

skillet

BTW Ballistik, never heard about the Q tip and oil, Thanks

Hooked_On_Bass reply :

Congrats Hawg Fan!

islandbass reply :

A good overall, general purpose setting for beginners is 3 brakes on and 3 brakes off. I prefer 2 on and 4 off but in time you'll figure out what works best for you.

Here is a pic of an older curado for 3 off and on, but the steps would be the same for your Citica. Congrats on your new reel. I scored a new curado 101D back in Feb as a birthday present for $133.

fooman reply :

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Hey Thanks, yeah ive used baitcasters for a couple of years. I just havent used one with a VBS and one that is so smooth and fast like shimanos. I appreciate all the information and the tip. I will definately have to give that a try.

If you think its smooth and fast now, give it a good cleaning and relube with good oil

Hawg Fan reply :

Quote

Quote
Hey Thanks, yeah ive used baitcasters for a couple of years. I just havent used one with a VBS and one that is so smooth and fast like shimanos. I appreciate all the information and the tip. I will definately have to give that a try.

If you think its smooth and fast now, give it a good cleaning and relube with good oil

I had a few more questions:

1.) I went out in the rain today and fished a couple of hours and was wondering if there is anything special you do after it gets wet other than wipe it down. I wouldnt normally care but it was an expensive purchase for me as far as my budget goes.

2.) Is the shimano tutorial on their website exactly how I should clean my reel or are there any special things you do?

3.) Is the shimano lube in the box any good or should I buy some other brand?

Thanks,

Hawg Fan

Raul reply :

Quote

I had a few more questions:

1.) I went out in the rain today and fished a couple of hours and was wondering if there is anything special you do after it gets wet other than wipe it down. I wouldnt normally care but it was an expensive purchase for me as far as my budget goes.

2.) Is the shimano tutorial on their website exactly how I should clean my reel or are there any special things you do?

3.) Is the shimano lube in the box any good or should I buy some other brand?

Thanks,

Hawg Fan

1.- Nothing really special, I just wipe them dry and leave them in a well ventilated shaded place to allow them to dry thoroughly.

2.- For general everyday maintenace yup, it pretty much covers it all, for a more in depth maintenace which should be performed once or twice a year ( maybe even more if you use your reel a lot ) better have it done by a specialist like ReelMech.

3.- The Shimano lube is good, you want a little more performance there are other types of lubricants, but for the normal wear and tear it 's fine.

daviscw reply :

Is a little bit of noise when reeling the Citica normal?

islandbass reply :

Quote

Quote

I had a few more questions:

1.) I went out in the rain today and fished a couple of hours and was wondering if there is anything special you do after it gets wet other than wipe it down. I wouldnt normally care but it was an expensive purchase for me as far as my budget goes.

2.) Is the shimano tutorial on their website exactly how I should clean my reel or are there any special things you do?

3.) Is the shimano lube in the box any good or should I buy some other brand?

Thanks,

Hawg Fan

1.- Nothing really special, I just wipe them dry and leave them in a well ventilated shaded place to allow them to dry thoroughly.

2.- For general everyday maintenace yup, it pretty much covers it all, for a more in depth maintenace which should be performed once or twice a year ( maybe even more if you use your reel a lot ) better have it done by a specialist like ReelMech.

3.- The Shimano lube is good, you want a little more performance there are other types of lubricants, but for the normal wear and tear it 's fine.

I'll just add one thing.

If fishing in a hard pouring rain or of you accidentally dunk it into the water, some water can get in. So after you wipe the outside down, open the reel and take a look to see if a drop or two made it into the reel. I have wondered how the water gets in, but it can.

Hawg Fan reply :

Yeah i believe it is, there is just a little bit of noise but it sounds normal...not like grinding or anything...

daviscw reply :

Yeah, I'm getting a rubbing sound. I'll have to lube it up I reckon'.

Hawg Fan reply :

I re-lubed mine today and I still have just a little bit of noise. Maybe were just being paranoid.

Hawg Fan reply :

I think its just the cast control knob, because when mines really loose I have no sound except the line being put on, but when I tighten it up for pitching I have that slight sound

daviscw reply :

Right, I just noticed the pitch changes when I adjust the cast control knob. I think its where the gold spool part rubs its opening. But I agree, I'm just paranoid as heck. Something weird though... My box came without any lube, so I called *** and they are supposedly sending me an even better lube for free.

Hawg Fan reply :

Wow, that sucks but is pretty awesome that your getting some better lube. Did you send your rebate in already, it ends the 30th!

Ballistik reply :

Neither Reel should make any sound if they re properly lubricated.

If it soundsl ike hte spool is rubbing when your reeling make sure your side plate ( handle side ) is tight by that I mean check the screws and ssnug them up. Also if your reels get wet there is a drain hole in the bottom of the reel but personally I would take apart and relube. But if you dont feel comfy doing that atleast oil your spool bearings and put a drop of oil in the cast control knob. I take tese reels apart and clean them all of the time for people and they are easy to do. If you have any kind of mechanical inclinition you can do it. JUST PAY ATTENTION to how the parts come off and give yourself a big area to spread out parts and keep them togather as you take apart. You can also get your schematis and use them.

Good luck.

Mike-in-WV reply :

If your bait casting reel is set up properly you won't need your thumb to feather the spool as you cast. In fact, you will loose some distance by feathering with your thumb instead of free spooling.Using the thumb is a hold over from the good old days when we only had the round reels with very little control except your thumb.

Instead of setting your reel up so that the lure drops to the floor with a slight shake of the rod set it so that it falls about 14" with each shake. Leave two brakes on across from each other then give it a try. Don't be afraid to cast it hard and far with out feathering with your thumb. You will cast the same way holding the reel with your thumb until you let go but then just slide the thumb back and let it rest on the spool release button.

After you make a few cast and you gain confidence in the setup then make a few hard cast and watch the spool. If the line acts like it is raising up as it spins then tighten the spool control knob just a hair at a time until it quits.

This is fine tunning your reel and you will be glad you did. Much less backlash and smooth long distance cast. To make short cast just use your thumb to stop the line where you want it to drop. Mike

Hawg Fan reply :

how much oil is too much oil? ive just been putting about a drop in places

Raul reply :

Quote
Right, I just noticed the pitch changes when I adjust the cast control knob. I think its where the gold spool part rubs its opening. But I agree, I'm just paranoid as heck. Something weird though... My box came without any lube, so I called *** and they are supposedly sending me an even better lube for free.

Citicas do not come with the oil vial, don 't know if Curados come wit oil vial, Chronarchs and Calaises do come with the oil vial.

Hawg Fan reply :

mine came with the oil vial, and if you have your spool out does it make a clicking type noise when if you reel?

daviscw reply :

Quote

Quote
Right, I just noticed the pitch changes when I adjust the cast control knob. I think its where the gold spool part rubs its opening. But I agree, I'm just paranoid as heck. Something weird though... My box came without any lube, so I called *** and they are supposedly sending me an even better lube for free.

Citicas do not come with the oil vial, don 't know if Curados come wit oil vial, Chronarchs and Calaises do come with the oil vial.

The *** guy I called said they were... He even went away from the phone and checked. Maybe you got jipped too...?

fishfordollars reply :

I don' use the brakes. I thumb all of my reels.

Ballistik reply :

Quote
mine came with the oil vial, and if you have your spool out does it make a clicking type noise when if you reel?

Yes because your pinion gear is now just free floting. The spool holds its straing and in correct alignment with the other gear. Its normal but dont keep doing it

Hawg Fan reply :

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I don' use the brakes. I thumb all of my reels.

I would too but for me too skip my jigs on the water it is just too hard without any help of the brakes.

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My First Shimano Reel! 2025

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