I had the same problem with a 7000CT I traded a Penn 6500 for with Brad. Eventually after spinning the handle a few times, it would engage, but never on the first turn. I never did get it sorted out. I wound up taking the plates off, cutting off the top bar, and swapping the frame back and forth with my red 7000---which never had that problem. Neither have the other 4 big Abus now in my collection.
Knowing Brad and how he maintained reels (seldom to not-at-all) could have been pilot error
Threaded Mode