Centrifugal, Magnetic, Or Dual

[pbizzle]

What's the best? I've only used the magnetic brakes but I want to try the others. I know it's basically an opinion, but one has to be better than the others at preventing backlash.

[motodmast]

i like using a reel that has dual for a rod that ill be throwing all different size baits with. it allows you to really fine tune it for the certain bait youre using

[Capt.Bob]

The centrifugal is more aggressive, but I like dual, I use the mag for wind, if you have a good brake whether Mag or Centrifugal, it will do a good job. I like the most choice when I can have it.

[BobP]

IMO, you can't judge a reel's anti-backlash performance by which brake system it has.  There's more to it than just the brakes.  I've fished reels with centrifugal brakes that are prone to backlash, others that work great.  The same goes for magnetic brake reels.  You have to consider the whole reel and judge whether the brake system works well within overall design of the reel.  What you should be asking is whether a particular reel you are considering is prone to backlash compared to an alternate reel.  For instance, I've fished old Curado B's for years and like them - but I think they are fairly touchy to adjust to avoid backlashing.  A Shimano Skorpion has dual centrifugal brakes and is virtually impossible to backlash.  The old Abu Promax reels have a very simple two post centrifugal brake system but due to the overall reel design, they are excellent in avoiding backlash.  I have an Abu Revo SX with mag brakes that is very forgiving and hardly ever backlashes.  So centrifugal, mag, or both, it depends on the specific reel. 

[pbizzle]

Ok, I guess that if you had a reel with the same exact specs but came with each braking system as an option, dual would be the way to go though right?

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Its all in the thumb.

[dodgeguy]

centrifugal is good.dual is better.externally adjustable centrifugal like the abu Garcia mgx has is best.

[.RM.]

What's the best? I've only used the magnetic brakes but I want to try the others. I know it's basically an opinion, but one has to be better than the others at preventing backlash.

There is no BEST.  

It has and always will be a matter of personal preferances.

Also depends on the ability of the reel owner to setup properly the reel..

 

Tight Lines!  

[kschultz76]

Check out this link, good read. It may be somewhat a matter of preference but there are physics behind it.

http://www.japantackle.com/Topics/brake_system.htm

I've had poor success with mag only brakes. But I've found the dual system on the BPS Pro Qualifier, Johnny Morris Sig, and othe BPS reels works very well for all casting techniques and lures. That system is the same basically on the Abu Revo STX and some of the Lews reels.

[roadwarrior]

One of my favorite attributes of Shimano centrifugal braking systems is they are basically

"one and done". I suppose if you vary the lure weight a lot on a single rig, you're going to

need to make adjustments. However, on a dedicated rig the only adjustments that are usually

needed are with the spool tension.

[dodgeguy]

I keep my spool tension loose just tight enough not to have spool sideplay.my thumb takes care of the rest.shimano brakes do work well.pflueger brakes have return springs so you need more shoes on.i really love the abu mgx adjustable centrifugal system.in my opinion it outcasts any others I've used. 

[roadwarrior]

I keep my spool tension loose just tight enough not to have spool sideplay.my thumb takes care of the rest.

 

I agree for the most part. What  I was suggesting is that minor adjustments can be made to the spool tension

without changing the brakes. An example might be throwing a spinnerbait into a slight breeze.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I wouldn't say one is better than the other when it comes to mag vs. cent. Dual braking obviously provides more adjustment possibilities but that may or may not even be necessary. An educated thumb is required to get the best performance from any setup. My personal preference is for cent brakes. Dual are ok but not a "must have" and mag only are my least favorite even though I do fish some.

[new2BC4bass]

Nothing beats practice.  I've probably made more casts so far this year than any previous 2 years added together since I switched to b/c reels over 4 years ago.  Previously light baits on a stock Sol and Alphas ito were prone to backlashing.  Enough so that I avoided light lures.  This year I have been throwing a 3/16 oz. Shad Rap on both a TD-Z 105H and Sol..both tuned...with no problem, and am hoping to get down to at least a true 1/8 oz. on the 105H.

 

I keep spool tension set like dodgeguy.  Vast majority of my reels are mag brake only.  I've never really had a problem with my 50th Zillion, Fuegos or Gen 1 STX once I learned to cast.  Nor with the Sol and Alphas ito as long as I don't go too light.  However, I haven't tried the ito with a light bait this year so maybe I can now handle light lures on it.  Wouldn't that be nice. 

 

My limited experience with centrifugal brakes suggests to me that type of reel is going to be easier for a newbie to learn on.  I assume you aren't a newbie even tho you appear to be a youngster if that is you in the avatar. 

 

I was unaware the Curado B's were touchy to set up.  I have used a Curado 51E and a couple Chronarch 101A's that seemed easy to set up.

[aqualkinbush]

Everything I've read about the topic and my own experience suggest Centrifugal is the best. Dual coming in second (hard to initially imagine however look at it like a jack of all trades master of none type situation), and Mag being last. 

 

When it really comes down to it though your best bet would be to try a couple out and decide for yourself.

[kickerfish1]

Some say that Daiwa's magforce z is the best magnetic brake system built while Shimano's DC system is incredible as well. Reels with different brake systems are a joy to use but require getting used to it when switching between outfits or changing lures. That's why some folks enjoy reels that are all the same. Depending upon your own taste and comfort level any brake system can be perfect when set right and the operator knows how to adjust it for maximum performance.

Sometimes the simpler the better and shimanos braking system gives me ease of operation as does the magforce z in Daiwa's reels.

[pbizzle]

Ok. I guess it's really just down to what you like. I don't ever adjust my brakes with the MagTrax brakes just leave it on half. It took me a while to get comfortable with it. It seems like dual would be the way to go though. 

[new2BC4bass]

Ok. I guess it's really just down to what you like. I don't ever adjust my brakes with the MagTrax brakes just leave it on half. It took me a while to get comfortable with it. It seems like dual would be the way to go though. 

Whoa.  MagTrax?  What reels are you using?  I recently bought a new Morrum Mag SX1600C with that braking system.  It is easily the most thumb free reel I have.  Some of my other reels are Daiwa Zillions, Fuegos, Sols, TD-S, TD-X, TD-Zs, Alphas ito, Alphas 103, Abu Gen 1 STX, Abu Gen 1 Premier, Lews Tournament Pro. Abu Black Max 1600s, Pflueger Trions, Pflueger Patriarch XT, Curado 51E, Chronarch 101A and 100B.  Obviously I am a long way from having used all brands and models of b/c reels, but do have some experience with a few different braking systems.  That Morrum is simply amazing to cast. 

[pbizzle]

Whoa.  MagTrax?  What reels are you using?  I recently bought a new Morrum Mag SX1600C with that braking system.  It is easily the most thumb free reel I have.  Some of my other reels are Daiwa Zillions, Fuegos, Sols, TD-S, TD-X, TD-Zs, Alphas ito, Alphas 103, Abu Gen 1 STX, Abu Gen 1 Premier, Lews Tournament Pro. Abu Black Max 1600s, Pflueger Trions, Pflueger Patriarch XT, Curado 51E, Chronarch 101A and 100B.  Obviously I am a long way from having used all brands and models of b/c reels, but do have some experience with a few different braking systems.  That Morrum is simply amazing to cast.  

Abu max reels.

[Mike L]

To me a mag brake reel is best when pitchin and / or pitchin.

A cent brake reel is best for casting.

 

A dual system doesn't matter either way.

 

 

Mike

[Mike L]

Thats pictchin and/or flippin!

[jtesch]

Remember, Daiwa's mag system is different, and better then others. It is a hybrid system that uses some centrifugal force in its action. That being said, my new favorite is the Revo MGX system, but my tuned Zillion is close