Adjusting brakes on a baitcast reel is easy. The process varies on the different brands and some models within a brand. There are two types of braking: a magnet and a centrifugal system. They work at different times during the cast and levels. You will find either system works well if correctly set.
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Some of the high-level and pricier reels use both systems. The dual braking reels work controlling spool speed during the whole cast. It is better but not needed by most anglers. An exception is if you fish tournaments or a lot. The dual system is an advantage. You may want a better setup also.
Using any baitcast reel, you need a good casting motion or form. If you have a poor casting technique you will backlash more often. People tend to make the tension knob correct poor casting form. Learn to cast properly with a smooth motion. You will not have to pick out backlashes as much.
Adjusting Magnetic Brakes
The magnetic brakes are easy to adjust compared to other brakes. The reel has an adjustment dial on the side opposite the cranking handle. The dial is set from1 to 10 or 20 depending on the reel. One is the low setting. The higher numbers add more braking force.
These brakes come in two variations. The one style is old, consisting of a ring of magnetics. Daiwa’s Mag-force braking uses an induction cup. Adjusting the brakes on these baitcast reels is literally a turn of the dial, and little else.
Standard Setup
If you have a reel with magnetic brakes this is likely your type. The exception is a Daiwa reel. The standard brakes help control the spool speed later in the cast. They help little or not at all with the beginning of a cast. The tension knob is for early in the cast.
Set the tension knob with the lure on the line. Turn the brakes off. Hold the rod up at a slight angle and push the release. The knob is set correctly when the lure drops and the spool takes 2-3 turns after the lure stops. This will leave a few loose loops. You can pull them out easily. Using more tension will cause short casts. Using less and a backlash is likely early in the cast.

Once you set the knob you use the brakes. If you are new to the reel run the brakes high. Lower the brakes as you get comfortable casting the reel. In a short time, the brake settings will be lower. If the line starts to lift or backlash. Turn the brakes up a click or two.
The use of too much tension causes excessive wear and possible damage to a reel. The extra pressure can bend the spool shaft. Plus the pressure places sideways force on the bearings. The bearings are made for rotation and not a sideways force.
The Daiwa Setup
Owners of the newer Daiwa reels know of the zero adjust tension knob, or should know. Daiwa sets the knob at the factory. The spool will have a slight side-to-side play. This is correct for these reels. The brakes on the reel work differently and better.
Daiwa brakes have an induction method for braking. Inside the reel is a metal cup that slides out during the cast. You adjust how much it moves with the setting dial. These brakes engage and work throughout the cast. Start with the brakes on the maximum setting.

Start out with easier casts using the reel. The reel is different, you need a smooth casting motion. If you have a good casting form, increase to a normal cast. At this time, start lowering the brakes a few clicks after several casts. You will get to where it begins to backlash. Turn the brake up one or two clicks.
The reel eliminates setting the tension knob. If you have a snappy motion or cast too hard it will backlash. These reels excel if you use good casting form. You will find out quickly if you have a good casting technique. In some cases, a slight tightening of the tension knob is needed. This is usually less than a 1/4 turn, remove the side-to-side play.
Adjusting Centrifugal Brakes
The centrifugal system is similar to car brakes. There are little pads also known as pins. The pins slide on a ring or wheel inside the reel. The ring connects to the spool shaft. It turns the same RPMs as the spool during the cast.
Reels come with 4 or 6 pins for braking. The pins on the ring can be set on or off. All the pins on are the maximum braking. Turning all the pins off is no braking. People tend to run all or about half the pins. An experienced angler may run no pins for some situations.

Turning the pins on or off varies between reels. Check the manual that comes with your reel. Some you push them in or out, while others pop up or down. Once the pins are set, adjust the tension knob.
Set the tension knob with the lure on the line. Hold the rod up at a slight angle and push the release. It should fall slightly less than a free fall. The knob is set correctly when the lure drops and the spool takes 2-3 turns after the lure stops.
Modified Brakes
Adjusting brakes on baitcast reel with DC technology or dual systems. On a DC reel, set the reel for the line type or skill level. The setting is on the side opposite the crank handle. Use 4 for beginners or skipping, 3 is good for fluorocarbon. The tension knob is set to take out the side-to-side play.
If you make the knob tighter it reduces casting distance. If there is play the DC system does not work well. The reel has coils and magnets inside that need to stay in alignment. Having any play in the spool affects this alignment.

All other reels with advanced or dual systems follow the manual. It will state how to adjust the reel. You will find they follow these methods of adjusting the reel. There may be slight variations in some reels.
Conclusion
Adjusting brakes on the baitcast reel is easy. It should only take a few seconds after the initial setup. There are a few braking systems that are slightly different. Set the reel using the right method and it will cast well.