I have been noticing on my 14000's XTB's (the ones with the baitrunner caps) that sometimes now when I set the clutch ready for a take after a time they seem to get tighter and need a good pull to get them going. Well, had an incident the other day where I had such a violent take that, you've guessed it, the clutch had seized and before I could get to it the rod just shot off the rests and disappeared into the lake!! To their credit the Jag Lockdowns held on to the bitter end but just gave up as my hand was about to close around the butt.

Anyway, to cut a long story short luckily one of the members is a keen diver and retrieved it for me but it was a few hours of squeaky bum time I can tell you.

Anyway, question is do I just need to grease them too get them smoother again or is there anything washer-wise etc that would actually improve the clutches?

Also, how waterproof are they as it was sat at the bottom of the lake for a good 6 hours?

In reply to Post #1
That is the same symptom I had with one of my reels, not the same type but a bit of lubrication transformed it. Certainly would be my first step assuming lubrication is appropriate for your washers.

In reply to Post #1
Not that waterproof unfortunately, if it were me I'd send them for a service.
I replaced the drag knobs with the non baitrunner version, and replaced the washers in the spools, suit me perfectly, but we all have our preferences.

In reply to Post #1
There sagged, send them to me and I'll dispose of them for you free of charge, the rod will never feel the same again after such a long soaking so you may as well send them as well.



Oh and that lock down letting go will mess with your mind so you've guessed it. Thank me latter.

In reply to Post #1
In think it's the nature of the felt spacers. You can replace them with the ice washers or PTFE ones which don't bed in. Only thing I found is that I could never really get them tight enough to lock them up either for casting at.range or just ultra tight clutches, so I went back to the felt ones. I've got the butt lockers added to my lock downs, maybe something worth looking at?

In reply to Post #1
My xtb ci4's used to stick a bit on the initial take. Fitted them with ice washers and still done it. So I think there's something in what you say about the bait runner spool cap. Got rid of mine in the end because of it

The question we're all dying to know is was there a fish on the end

In reply to Post #6
That's exactly what I found, the carbon washers made no real difference other than to my wallet.

In reply to Post #6
I did 3 things.
I swapped the baitrunner knobs for standard drag knobs from the XSB version of the reel.
I replaced the felt washers for a QD version (Ice, carbon or PTFE)
I turned the rubber “seal” over in the top of the spool (under the 3 screws and retaining plate).
I've never had any stickiness, I can lock the drag completely, it's perfectly smooth and dependable.

First off, it's a drag.. the clutch is part of the anti reverse

Secondly... buy some reels without Mickey Mouse drags

In reply to Post #7
No fish on the end I'm afraid, amazing how they get rid of the hook isn't it

Thanks for the advice/offers I ordered some Jag Rod Lockers shortly afterwards

So is this the excuse I've been looking for to get some Tournies?

In reply to Post #11
it defiantly is
I love my tournies

Gonna try the non-Baitrunner caps and some Teflon/PTFE washers

In reply to Post #13
Look on the future fishing website they do the non baitrunner spool cap to fit the Ci4 XTB reels

In reply to Post #14
Thanks Chris, they don't have enough in stock so next best was Felindre on eBay