Assuming you didn't take the reel apart and put it back together, I agree with Brewer. If this started after you took it apart and put it back together, the bar/button may have simply been left in the "down" position before the reel was sandwiched back together.

The only thing worse than not freespooling is not coming OUT of freespool when you are in the salt and your jig just hit the bottom. Even some high end reels succumb to this problem rather quickly.



Coley is just an ambidextrous scam artist. At least they sent you a casting reel back. Quit yer whinin'! rofl