I just bought a Saragosa 10,000 for surf fishing. Straight out of the box I noticed after casting and loosening the drag and then putting it in a rod holder. That when the drag was set loose and you quickly pull out line resembling a fish run that the drag knob will turn by itself and tighten. I have never had a Saragosa but this seems strange to me. So I tightened up the drag a little more and the drag is very tight, too tight to spike the rod. Does anyone have one of these reels and have they experienced anything like this. I did allot of reading and people love these reels and the reviews are excellent. They are not cheep either at 310.00 a pop. This has happened both times that I have used the reel. Of coarse now that I’m off the beach and ready to take it back to the store, it is not acting up. The reel is under warranty from Haddrels. Did I get a lemon? If so would y’all ask for a brand new reel vs. getting it repaired. I have little confidence that this “particular” reel is something that I want to hold on to, it worries me. I haven’t lost faith in the line of Saragosa yet just think I may have gotten a bad one. I also pointed this out to Mr. Parker. He saw and thought that something was wrong as well.
Bring it back in, well figure it out.
Doesn’t sound right but I’d have to see the reel.
-Simon O
HADDRELL’S POINT TACKLE & SUPPLY
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Thanks for the reply Simon. I took the reel by Mt. Pleasant where purchased. They were more than accommodating. The reel by design has a seal on the drag knob. When you set the drag “light” like I do for surf fishing with a spike, in fact it does turn. The reason I do set a light drag is so I don’t loose the set up if a fish fits it hard. Steve and the manager verified that it was occurring. We examined another Saragosa and the Spheros which is it’s sister reel and the same thing happened on both of those as well. I have never seen this happen before over the years with any other reels I have owned. I have owned two older Spheros reels that this did not occur on that were great. The new seal they have on the newer models is not a good match for setting a light drag and spiking a rod. The drag knob turns and tightens the setting when line is pulled out fast.It happened on 3 different reels out of the box. Simon applied grease to the seal and it stopped the problem. My concern is when the grease runs out. The manager was excellent and offered to get me into a new reel. No complaints on my end. He was great. Hadrels did not make the reel. People love the reels and they have good reputations. May not be suited for someone who sets it light and spikes the rod in the sand. Maybe it improves with some wear and the friction rubs the rubber down some. I don’t know. For me the Quantum Cabo is still king, butter smooth from top to bottom solid as can be.
Faulty knob. Had this happen on a older Saragossa also. Send it back to shimano for warranty repair
quote:
Originally posted by surfwranglerFaulty knob. Had this happen on a older Saragossa also. Send it back to shimano for warranty repair
Faulty on 3 new reels fresh out of the box?
Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat
I knew I wasn’t crazy. The issue is occurring. I will talk to the manager again tomorrow. I believe I have a solution that is a win win for both the customer and the store. Again nothing wrong with the reel, just not a good one to use for spiking a rod. The manager has been great and truly seemed concerned and wanted to help me. Thats the difference between Walmart and your local store/ customer service. In my particular case it has been phenomenal. After experiencing the issue I contacted the reel reviewer Alan Hawk. Who I think is very good, but by no means perfect. He replied back to me in a matter of hours. Did I say hours.
Hello Pete, The reel is certainly not suited for loose drag setting, especially in this size. This is not going to disappear, and you will have to keep applying a layer of lube to the seal every once in a while in order to reduce the friction. Your other option is sand the seal down, but this may compromise the protection against water and needs to be done by a highly skilled person. If you have the chance to exchange the reel do it now and test any other you replace it with. Best regards, Alan Hawk. I copied this by typing and have it saved on my phone.
Wow that’s some good info right there!
I own the same reel, but the drag is normally torqued out pretty good for offshore bottom fishing.
“mr keys”
I purchased a shimano thunnus from haddrells a few months ago and I love it. The bait runner works well in the surf.