The SmartPlus braking system has six pins: four white and two blue. The white pins are spring-loaded and will come out and slow down the spool at the very beginning of the cast, when the spool is the fastest. At the end of the cycle when the spool begins to slow down, the spring will retract the white pins. The two blue pins, when engaged, will stay on the entire time and not retract. This will help to control backlash at the end of the cycle as the spool slows and the white pins retract.
To engage the pins, remove the palming sideplate and use your fingernail to push the pins away from the center of the spool (“On” position) until you hear a click. When the pins are engaged, they will be slightly moveable. To disengage the pins, push them in towards the center of the spool (“Off” position). The pins are fixed when in the Off position and will not move.
Recommended: Keep the blue pins in the On position (away from the center of the spool), unless you want a totally free spool. Keep two of the white pins on, across from each other. In windy conditions when throwing large baits, engage all the pins to help with castability.
The Lew’s reels that feature the SmartPlus braking system:
