Help with Shakespeare Marhoff GE

[Sawyer]

Hello, new here. Just got my first vintage reel, a Shakespeare Marhoff 1964 model GE. It is really a beautiful piece.

The reel is in good cosmetic shape, but I cannot figure out how to get the spool to disengage for casting. The pawl seems to be working as it should, unless of course it should also disengage the spool! Also line will not peel off the reel when overcoming the drag. I should also mention that this is my first baitcaster.

Any advice you have would be much appreciated! I would love to use this reel. Thanks for your time.

[scottorock]

Spool doesn't disengage. When spool turns, everything moves so watch your knuckles when you get that first strike! Lol you can back off the brake and/or the end caps to ease up on the resistance. Assuming the reel isn't all gunked up inside.

[Sawyer]

Thanks. I suppose this is will be a trolling reel for me then since I can't seem to cast it more than 10 feet.

Seems odd. Maybe I need to add some more line to the reel so I get more pay out per handle rotation.

If I get daring I will take it apart and clean it, but I can get the lure to drop by its own weight, rotating the crank, and it stops rotating when the lure hits the ground. I thought that was how I should tune the resistance.

[wrong99]

Sounds like you might have the drag switch on (I don't mean the clicker, either). The drag switch says "More or Less" stamped on it. Turn it counterclockwise for less drag. The same (counterclockwise) with the chrome end caps, which reduces tension on the spool.
Mark

[Sawyer]

Drag knob is all the way loose, axle is also.

Something just doesn't seem right.

[jimbofish]

If you flip the handle with your finger, it should continue to spin, along with the spool, for several revolutions, at least enough to make the level wind travel across it's width at least twice. If not, then the oil and grease inside have gotten gummy and it needs to be cleaned.

If it spins ok, then the line, lure, or rod may be mismatched.

[Sawyer]

Ok I think you are onto it! When I flip the handle I can only get the level wind to travel across one width of the reel. I guess it is coming apart. Standard reel oil all I need to lube it when putting it back together? Thanks so much everyone!

[jimbofish]

You can try this before disassembling...
remove the level wind pawl (remove the small screw under the LW and pull the LW pawl out) to see how the reel spins without the LW moving. It's an exposed mechanism that tends to collect dirt in the spiral grooves.

[Sawyer]

Disassembled, cleaned, lubed, and it still won't cast. For now it will sit on the mantle and be a nice conversation piece. Thanks everyone for the tips, I am thinking user error might be a significant factor here.