Reel feels tighter/harder to wind when tension is on the end of my line

[Ham1sh]

I have the shimano Sedona 5000 and a problem I’ve had since I’ve bought it has been that it feels harder to wind when I have tension/weight on the end of my line.

[noelm]

Not 100% sure I understand exactly what you mean, but…….all reels are harder to wind with weight on the line! It’s kind of natural, unless of course I am on the wrong track?

[frankS]

The reel is not a winch it's a means of retrieving line back onto the spool lift and wind on the down stroke is how they are designed to work.

make sure your line is not wrapped around a guide and check all guides that they are not cracked.

Frank

[DerekD]

What @frankS said - it is not a winch. Lift the rod with pressure and then wind while lowering the rod but keep some pressure (a bit of bend in the rod) on the line to stop the fish from throwing the hook.

There could also be something wrong with the reel but think you start with technique first.

[Blackfish]

I have also seen where someone hasn’t the line through the runners correctly. Where the line is wrapped around the rod before going through the next runner.

With fine line and wind this can get easily done. Check the line is through all the runners correctly.

Edited November 8, 2023 by Blackfish