I've got a really old reel and don't know how to properly use it.

[kyleighterry]

I've got a ~40 year old shimano bait caster from a garage sale for $25. It doesn't have breaks and it always gets bird nested, even when I use my thumb as the breaks. When I go to cast it, it makes it about 10ft out then falls straight down. Do I need different line? Do I need to do a different rig?

[john elder]

I’m wondering if it might be the one they devised for drop-shot fishing that just makes small casts when lever is thrown. There’s a name for this mechanism but i can’t recall it… bet Paul and others know. For what it’s worth (not much), i was never able to flip cast with the thing either.

[kyreels]

Please post pictures front and rear of the reel. Here are posting instructions. viewtopic.php?t=15596

[Retropeche]

I would be surprised if there was no centrifugal brake. The first Shimanos including the ones branded for Lews had brakes. Plus of course the spool tensioner.