Looking for a little advice on how the various brakes all work together.

Somewhat of a rookie question.

On the ABU's - there are two breaks to turn - the one on the right (near the handle) - which I believe is magnetic. There is also one on the left.

Internally - there are 4 blocks. I realize some of you change these down to 2 or 0. Also, you have the option of using the bigger ones as well, which come in the box.

My Penn 975 just has the one knob - as do most of my freshwater conventionals.

How do all of these interplay? I realize as you loosen up the one on the left, you allow the spool more play left to right. Do you tighten this as you loosen up the magnetic break? How much sideplay should there be? Seems as though if you loosen it too much, the gears do not line up when you go to retrieve and there is some slippage.

Thanks.

the knob on a 7000 on the side of the handle isnt a knob its a cover for the bearing.just tighnt it and dont mess with it.the adj knob on the other side adjusts the spool end play you snug it a little so you dont over run on the end of the cast.hold the rod horizotal and set it so you plug drops slow or controled.your rite on with the magnets you can change them up how you want.if you want to speed the 7000 blast all the grease out with wd-40 and lube with 3-1 oil especially the worm gear (level wind).

I hope we are talking about the same kind of reel so here goes, if not nevermind. The way I do the lefthand knob, or side play, is to put the reel in free spool and lower the lure or whatever is on the line to the floor. Then I tighten up on the knob, restricting the spool from rotating. Then I back off on the knob. As you back off the knob in free spool the spool will move as you turn the knob. At the point the spool stops revolving as the knob is turned is the place I leave knob. There should be a little pointer and scale on the side cover of the spool and set the scale there so you remember. I do this every time I go out. I also use 2 small counter weights. Handle side stays tight as stated above. Hope this helps. Paul

I keep the spool tensioner very loose on mine. If i push in the clutch and take my thumb off the spool whatever is on there drops like a rock. I never adjust it when im fishing, it casts a 4" storm or a 3.5 ounce pencil equally well, the only time i adjust it is when i need to control a drift of an eel.