Old Shimano MLZ reel on the Kenai

[smnaguwa]

My daughter used the reel on the Kenai river spooled with 20# Fireline.  She hooked into a large King on a spinner, bank fishing.  At the initial drag setting the King took line easily, so a well meaning Alaskan next to her tightned the grag which then seized and the estimated 50# King broke off.  Shimano wouldn't tell me the type of grease I should use; would Cal's drag grease work?

[Bryan Young]

That's odd that Shimano would not recommend their own drag grease...but then again, the reel probably does not have carbon fiber drag washers.  I would recommend changing the drag washers to carbon fiber then greasing with Cals' or Shimano.  I think Shimano drag grease is a little better for light-medium duty spinning reel appliation because it's thinner and lighter.  I havent' tried Cal's light drag grease yet.

[smnaguwa]

The MLZ has an unusual drag. There is a large plastic(?) disk on the shaft that the spool rests on.  There are no drag washers.  The drag knob puts pressure on the top of the spool. 

[redsetta]

Sample schematic here: http://www.reelschematic.com/schematics/Shimano/Shimano/SHIMANO%20MLZ-60(1981).pdf
Full MLZ range here: http://reelschematic.com/schematics/shimano.php
Two drag disks - one above and one below the spool.
The lower may be Teflon, which I wouldn't grease.
I find some older spinners are a bit jerky under load, no matter what you do (ie upgrade to carbon fiber and grease etc).
It may be the case here.
There may also have been a tiny bit of wear somewhere on the braid, compromising its integrity. A touch more drag may have been a touch too much...
Not sure if that's of any assistance, though!
Justin

[smnaguwa]

Thanks for the info.