Shimano 50W - Drag Time

[Marlinmate]

I recently acquired a 50W LRSA from a friend of mine who lives in Key West.  Beautiful reel with little to no scuff's or use (so i thought)

I put some new line on it and took it tuna fishing and caught 2 50lb YF's on it and noticed that I wasn't getting good freespool any longer?.......hmmmmmmmmmm

Opened it up and got to this....NO BUENO.  The two spool bearings were rusted and both were gunked up with drag washer particles.  The drag washer was completely disintegrated. Dang

Got 2 bearings on the way and will have to order a new drag washer when Shimano opens back up.

[Keta]

A little grease on the drag washers helps, the bearings should have been service a long time ago.