Super User *Hootie Posted June 11, 2012 Super User Posted June 11, 2012 Years ago, when drag washers were made of leather, we had to loosen the drag after a days fishing. I still do this religiously after every fishing trip. But I am wondering, what with all the high tech drag washer materials today, is this really necessary? Hootie Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted June 11, 2012 Super User Posted June 11, 2012 No, it is not necessary, but I loosen mine anyhow! Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted June 11, 2012 Super User Posted June 11, 2012 On 6/11/2012 at 10:34 AM, roadwarrior said: No, it is not necessary, but I loosen mine anyhow! Same here, with my spinning. My 1 b/c reel is a lever drag, not star, I just put the reel in free spool. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted June 11, 2012 Super User Posted June 11, 2012 I do not, but I do "exercise" the drags before fishing. For winter storage, I loosen them. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted June 11, 2012 Posted June 11, 2012 Depending on the reel for extended storage backing off the drag may be benificial but between trips not really. The spring washers are probably more of a concern than most drag washers. Quote
BrianSnat Posted June 11, 2012 Posted June 11, 2012 When I remember to, I back off the drag when storing them for the winter, which means rarely. In season, never. As some of my reels are 20+ years old, they don't seem to have suffered from not doing it. Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted June 11, 2012 Super User Posted June 11, 2012 Question for DVT regarding easing off on the drag. As I mentioned above I have a lever drag b/c reel and when not in use I store in free spool. Never thought about it but I guess I'm not backing the drag down at all, it's just disengaged...........true? Setting the drag on a lever drag reel is a bit different of an operation than a star. Avet instructs setting the drag in free spool, then moving it to "strike" if not where you want it go back to free spool and re adjust, I may start doing that each and every outing, which is 1-2 times a week. I had it initial set at BPS and never changed the setting. The reel is going on 3 years and I've always done this practice, glad to say it performs like new. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 Sir Snook, There are probably variations in design but for the most part I believe relieving the cam pressure on a lever drag like on a Shimano Torsa has a similar effect to backing off a star. The main difference is that the lever drag has much more power and the ability to turn on-off more easily. Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted June 12, 2012 Super User Posted June 12, 2012 Setting a lever drag is a bit more involved, but once used to it, like anything it becomes second nature. In actually operation a lever drag is pretty easy to use, now that I'm used to it I prefer it over the star. Quote
Mike__D Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 I baby my tackle so I back the drag off all my reels when they are not in use. Just what I do... Mike D Quote
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