The reel is a Temu 1000 size with 10 bearings ( I found them all ) cant remember the brand of the braid but not Temu and its 6lb . I think that if I noticed it Id probly see that the 1st loop goes round the drag knob coz the line is slack as the bail arm goes over but I didnt notice untill I went to flip the bail arm for the next cast .
The rod is also Temu ultra light and the combo works brilliantly . I can cast a 3 gram lure just as far as I can chuck a 7 gram lure with my normal rod combo ( Diawa black widow rod , had it 30 years ,and a Penn conflict2500 )

AND look what I found ....a steak pie with no 🤬 cheese , bacon or mushrooms , I wasnt even hungry but its been a long time since I had an unadulterated steak pie .😁

That was the 1st thing I checked and with the spool right in the bail roller is about 4-5mm below the spool rim

and the roller is free. I never had this issue last year.......yeah paid for a whole season ...live ½ km from river and today was only the 3rd time I been fishing there this season ....ends this month on my stretch .....whole season below the Thornbury bridge over the Aparima river .

I posted this explanation elsewhere but I couldnt copy it so took a screen shot.
Everything on the reel is working as it should.🙂

I think maybe because I have just sorta gelled with this ultralight combo and Im getting better accuracy and a fair bit more distance than last year ,and Im using 3-3½g lures whereas last year they were5-7g's.
After using the ultralight combo till it tangles and then swapping to my normal rod I find accuracy turns to **** big time untill I readjust my cast and timing .....I guess its like getting new golf clubs ....or a new girlfriend 😆