Another drag question

[joedog]

Ok I didn't want to confuse anyone so I'm threading twice on same topic.
As always I refuse to take the easy route or simple route anywhere so as usual I researced drags. When will I learn to stay inside the box?

Now this is what a manufacturing rep said. Always loosen the drag after every outing. He said you should back them off to almost nothing nightly and reset the next day. Incidently it was a Shimano rep.
I'll confess, I don't think I ever undraged a reel other than when switching spools, if that counts.
I do store them long term with drags loose but not nightly.
I can barely remember where I parked my car, I'll never remember to readjust the drag every outing.

Now lastly, is this really just a spinning reel technique or concern or baitcasting too?

So what are your thoughts anglers?

[OkobojiEagle]

The advice is valid for both spinning and baitcasting reels, though I'd be surprised if you noticed any difference in drag performance either way provided you use your equipment weekly... or even monthly.

oe

[pro reel]

It's best to loosen the drags on any reel, anytime it will be stored for more than a few days. I wouldn't do it every day, but it might be the best way to remember it. Drags are a system of fiber washers and spring steel washers. Leaving them under constant pressure will flatten them out and then you will lose drag pressure and they will need replaced. You don't have to completly loosen them, just turn the knob back enough to where it's very easy to pull line off. Some reels can actually come apart inside if you loosen the star all the way.

[MIbasser]

I loosen mine at the end of season. I know it's not the right thing to do, but it's worked for the past 5 years for me.

[Jrob78]

Originally Posted by pro reel

It's best to loosen the drags on any reel, anytime it will be stored for more than a few days. I wouldn't do it every day, but it might be the best way to remember it. Drags are a system of fiber washers and spring steel washers. Leaving them under constant pressure will flatten them out and then you will lose drag pressure and they will need replaced. You don't have to completly loosen them, just turn the knob back enough to where it's very easy to pull line off. Some reels can actually come apart inside if you loosen the star all the way.

Is this also true for reels with carbon fiber washers? The vast majority of my reels that get used regularly have carbon fiber washers, either stock or upgraded. I would think they would be less likely to become damaged. I still loosen my drags after every trip though.

[Marty]

It's right to loosen drags (or other things that are under pressure when they won't be used for a while, such as bicycle tires). When I remember, and there are years when I forget, I loosen drags at the end of the season, but haven't had any problems either way.

[mike234]

I usually try to loosen my drags after each fishing trip, but somtimes forget. The ones I leave tighten until nex trip I have had no problems with so far and most are Shimano's.

[bassinbob]

Previous to hearing that you should loosen your drag I never did. I heard to do this a few years ago. I mostly try to remember to loosen but when I over run and tighten down the drag to do the thumb trick I forget a lot of times to loosen it. The funny thing is going out and not tightening the drag and catching a big bass. Now that's fun.

[Jrob78]

Originally Posted by bassinbob

The funny thing is going out and not tightening the drag and catching a big bass. Now that's fun.

That's exactly why I have gotten in the habit of doing it after every trip. If I make a habit of it and I'm consistent with it, I'm far less likely to forget to set the drag on the next trip out. It's a weird feeling when you set the hook on a fish and the drag just spins.

[DVT Mike]

The spring washers are more of a concern than the fiber washers. I'd back them off during the off season but between trips in the summer is overkill. It certainly won't hurt anything though to loosen the drag if it gives some peace of mind.

[Crankbait]

I tell my guys to loosen them a little so it saves on the elasticity. Also helps your grease last longer! Know your reel

[Embrey]

all thats there is a fiber and steel. i dont see anything being saved by loosening it. i never have and probably never will. and there is nothing about it to make grease last longer. actually grease would be the last thing youd want near it.

[Jrob78]

Originally Posted by Embrey

all thats there is a fiber and steel. i dont see anything being saved by loosening it. i never have and probably never will. and there is nothing about it to make grease last longer. actually grease would be the last thing youd want near it.

You actually do grease carbon fiber washers, like Carbontex washers, it makes your drag smoother. There are other types of drags that you don't want grease or oil anywhere near.

[DaveW731]

Originally Posted by Jrob78

That's exactly why I have gotten in the habit of doing it after every trip. If I make a habit of it and I'm consistent with it, I'm far less likely to forget to set the drag on the next trip out. It's a weird feeling when you set the hook on a fish and the drag just spins.

I burned out the drag on a reel years ago and since then, I always loosen the drag after every trip. It has become so automatic that I have to think to NOT do it. Another benefit is that I of course always tighten it at the beginning of each trip and I am therefore confident that it is at the setting I want for that particular outing.

[WTL]

Fishing season never ends, so I dont do nothin. No problems. I dont have carbon drags though, I dont think.