Drag That "clicks" On Bait Caster

[CountBassula]

So I got my first bait caster setup, and the only thing I don't like about it is the drag. I can set it with the drag star, but then I or fish pull the line there's no clicking sound like on spinning reels so I don't know what's going on... are there bait casters that do make this sound when drag goes?

[J Francho]

Not too many.  You should be able to feel that it is letting out drag.  The reason a spinning reel uses an audible click is to warn you not to reel against the drag.  On a baitcaster, there is no issue with reeling against the drag.

[tomustang]

I think this happens with everyone that switches over. I thought the same thing but as a benefit with a baitcaster my hand was so much closer to the line and whole reel itself instead of the handle of a reel. You'll get use to it. If not I think Lews has some clickable drags at a good price

[BradH]

The older round pre IAR ABUs had a drag that clicked even if the clicker was not engaged.  In their day they were great but for bass fishing the modern low profile reels would be much better.  The newer ones you need to jump to a 6000 size reel before you get a clicker and it must be turned on to get any noise.  You could buy a 4600 and add a clicker by swapping the sideplate out and adding a couple parts.  The only time I find a clicker to be of any use is if I'm trolling for walleyes or pike and I have a bunch of rods out.  It's not really something that would be of much use for 99% of the techniques used to bass fish.

[Deleted account]

This is my favorite post ever!

[J Francho]

The older round pre IAR ABUs had a drag that clicked even if the clicker was not engaged.  In their day they were great but for bass fishing the modern low profile reels would be much better.  The newer ones you need to jump to a 6000 size reel before you get a clicker and it must be turned on to get any noise.  You could buy a 4600 and add a clicker by swapping the sideplate out and adding a couple parts.  The only time I find a clicker to be of any use is if I'm trolling for walleyes or pike and I have a bunch of rods out.  It's not really something that would be of much use for 99% of the techniques used to bass fish.

 

You are referring to the spool or bait clicker, not a drag clicker.  There's a subtle difference, though it probably doesn't matter.  There are some older Abu reels that have a notched metal top drag washer.  When the spool is engaged, and the drag slips to the point of paying out line, there is an audible click.  There is no turning this feature on and off, and it only gives a click in that situation.  On a reel with a bait clicker, no matter whether the spool is in free spool, or engaged, it clicks, unless you turn it off.  It's useful of leaving the reel in free spool when soaking bait. You hear it go off, engage the spool, and set the hook.

[BradH]

You are referring to the spool or bait clicker, not a drag clicker.  There's a subtle difference, though it probably doesn't matter.  There are some older Abu reels that have a notched metal top drag washer.  When the spool is engaged, and the drag slips to the point of paying out line, there is an audible click.  There is no turning this feature on and off, and it only gives a click in that situation.  On a reel with a bait clicker, no matter whether the spool is in free spool, or engaged, it clicks, unless you turn it off.  It's useful of leaving the reel in free spool when soaking bait. You hear it go off, engage the spool, and set the hook.

 

 

Yes, either way the reel clicks when the drag slips.  The older ABUs I was referring to have both, spool and drag clickers.  I am aware that the newer reels are spool clickers only.

[J Francho]

Gotcha.  Yeah, they click on the retrieve too, lol. 

[BradH]

And on the cast!  Probably the biggest downside to a spool clicker.  You can accidentally activate them or forget to shut them off.

[J Francho]

No hating - I started on a knuckle buster.  The darn handle spun on the cast!

[Bass Junkie]

I believe there are a few Enthusiast level reels that have this feature, but it comes at a price... The only one I can list off the top of my head is the Daiwa Z2020, which MSRP's at right around $700 US, and is geared at larger baits. 

[Diggy]

You may need a round reel if you want this feature. Which reel did you buy out of curiosity?

[J Francho]

I believe there are a few Enthusiast level reels that have this feature, but it comes at a price... The only one I can list off the top of my head is the Daiwa Z2020, which MSRP's at right around $700 US, and is geared at larger baits. 

 

There's no drag clicker in the Z200 reels, just a clicking star.

[CountBassula]

You may need a round reel if you want this feature. Which reel did you buy out of curiosity?

 

i got a Shimano Citica G6 200 reel and a shimano rod to go with it. i love the combo, just miss the clicking of drag i'm used to from spinning reels...

[BradH]

You might be able to rig something up with a clothespin and a baseball card.  Kidding haha.

 

Seriously though, that's a nice rig.  For bass fishing I've never needed a casting reel to make noise.  The only time I need a casting reel to make noise is when I'm trolling and have rods behind me when I'm facing the port side of the boat running the tiller outboard.  I have the drag backed off enough so it will slip instead of tearing the hooks out.  I hear the rod, grab it & thumb the spool, set the hook, adjust the drag and land the fish.  That's more of a walleye & pike thing but I do catch bass doing it sometimes.

[Bass Junkie]

There's no drag clicker in the Z200 reels, just a clicking star.

On the contrary, the Z2020, as I stated above, does have a clicking drag.

[J Francho]

That is really cool!  I didn't realize the 2020 had that.  Only ever seen a 200.  It's a really elegant solution from an engineering standpoint.  Thanks for informing me!

[Bass Junkie]

No problem! I found it quite interesting myself. Just wish more reels came with it. It's a pretty rare feature all things considered. 

[bigreddog]

The Daiwa Ryoga 1016 variations, the Shimano Conquest 50DC and the Shimano Exsence DC also incorporate clicking drags as well. All of these are fairly recent JDM reels - but it would be nice if this tech would find its way on some more reels domestic and abroad.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I have one on a old Garcia 3000 rnd reel.I like it

[Smoot307]

The new Daiwa Zillion SV TW G has a click drag.  I plan on buying one, but at $350.00 I need to save a little bit to be able to justify that purchase.