Clicking Drag Star?

[smallies24/7]

What is the purpurpose of a clicking drag star? Is it all for the higher end feel? Does it affect performance in any way, or is it just a luxury people like with their higher end reels?

[Tywithay]

Most people just like knowing how many 'clicks' they've added or decreased the drag, so you can make precise changes. It doesn't really have any actual performance benefit.

[HoosierHawgs]

Same as said above, it's just nice to have so you know how much adjustment you are making, and you can get a sense of what 'x' amount of clicks amounts to in terms of lbs of drag rather than just blindly playing with a drag star, but no, it doesn't make your drag any stronger or effect the performance of the reel.

[DirtyDeuceGoose]

Take this with a grain of salt because I can't remember the source but I believe the reason for not having a clicking drag star, at least on finesse oriented reels, was to give a more infinite adjustment feeling. For instance you could go "half a click" instead of the whole adjustment between clicks.

[John G]

It sounds cool!

[Tywithay]

Take this with a grain of salt because I can't remember the source but I believe the reason for not having a clicking drag star, at least on finesse oriented reels, was to give a more infinite adjustment feeling. For instance you could go "half a click" instead of the whole adjustment between clicks.

That's more the reason that finesse reels don't often have clicking spool tension knobs, though it has some merit on drags as well.

[rippin-lips]

It's not on all high end reels either. Daiwa being a good example. My px68 had a Msrp of $440 and doesn't have this feature. It doesn't make it break my buying decision but it is nice. Like if I switch from a jig to a wacky senko then I know to go down 6 clicks. Just a luxury. Kinda like cruise control.

[long island basser]

What is the purpurpose of a clicking drag star? Is it all for the higher end feel? Does it affect performance in any way, or is it just a luxury people like with their higher end reels?

The purpose is to get you to buy their reel. I have two with the CDS and IMO its pretty much useless and has no bearing on the reels performance. Merry Christmas.

[fisherrw]

I'd rather use the clicking kind better adjustments.

[hatrix]

Clicking drag and tension knobs are silly really. As for the drag I do it by feel pulling the line and clicks mean nothing. Maybe tension cold be ok if clicks were finer. If I were to add tension it would generally be so fine that it is pretty much guaranteed it is between clicks.

[A-Jay]

Not having a clicking drag and tension knobs seems silly really.  

 

Having it provides the confidence that repeatability provides.

 

The guess work required without it is just that.

 

A-Jay

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I see Ajays point but as drag washers and tension shims wear the repeatability lessens. Clicking adjustments are a perceived sign of quality to a number of people but it's another personal preference when you get right down to it.

[HoosierHawgs]

I see Ajays point but as drag washers and tension shims wear the repeatability lessens. Clicking adjustments are a perceived sign of quality to a number of people but it's another personal preference when you get right down to it.

 

Doesn't everything come down to personal preference in this sport?

[Thornback]

The bass can't tell if you have a clicking reel or not so use what suits yourself. I have one cheap bait caster ($59) without the clicking drag and clicking brake and two more expensive bait casters ($100) with the clicking. I prefer the feel of the clicks which I call "detents" and in that case they might hold the set position better. As far as setting the drag I always set it as tight as I can because I use #40 braid.

[desmobob]

I really like clickies, even if just for the feel of precision and perceived quality.  

 

I can understand the repeatability thing, but I don't use it.  That's not to say I won't ever use click detents for that purpose though.  As I get more experience and familiarity with my gear and baits, I can see where it would come in handy for quick spool tension adjustments like rippin-lips mentioned.

 

It also gives me some assurance that if I somehow accidentally moved my drag or spool tension adjustments, I'd hear/feel it.  This has never happened to me, but it's a "feel good" kind of thing at least.

 

I suppose if a person took the time to take some drag measurements with a good scale, he could determine just how many clicks it takes to go from his normal drag setting to the "danger zone" of risking a break-off.  With that information, he could keep his drag at a safe setting but still know where the limit was if he really needed to control a big fish.

 

I guess I see some advantages to the click detents, but no disadvantages (other than the increased cost they undoubtedly add to the price of a reel so equipped).

 

Tight lines and Merry Christmas,

Bob

[ColdSVT]

Nifty but not necessary...for me anyways lol

[hatrix]

Not having a clicking drag and tension knobs seems silly really.

Having it provides the confidence that repeatability provides.

The guess work required without it is just that.

A-Jay

I am not sure what you mean by that. They both wear down and neither will always stay the same. If I was setting tension I judge it by the baits fall. If it is drag then by pulling line. Drag never really gets messed with for me as I don't loosen my drag on ever reel each time I fish but I will check them sometimes. Tension if I ever really used it would change constantly throughout a day.

[bass1980]

To be honest I just don't understand why clikcing drag star and tension knob isn't standard. How much could it possible cost them to add it?

[rippin-lips]

Even though the parts wear over time there is still a constant. Being new I set it up for 1/2oz baits. Then for a 3/8 bait it needs to go down 3 clicks to change baits. Now after a year of hard use you might have to add 1 click to your tension for 1/2oz and 1 to your 3/8 setting. The difference is still 3 up or down for a bait change. It makes sense in my head anyhow. Someone also mentioned about hearing if it gets bumped. This can be nice since there's been a few times when taking a reel cover off I've had this happen. Then I'm like oh it moved 2 clicks and I'll just add them to the tension. Plus us fisherman like cool noises haha. Joking but for some it can be true.

[Hogsticker]

Simply stated, why not? A reassuring click gives me the feeling that something is working as it should. Same can be said for just about anything we purchase.

[powerduster]

most of my conventional and round reels have no clicking star or tension knob and i prefer it that way. it's kind of like having a ball bearing installed in the handle knob, which is kind of pointless. I'm not against it at all, but it's also two less parts to worry about when disassembling for maintenance.

[5fishlimit]

Doesn't everything come down to personal preference in this sport?

Yes, yes it does.

[Hogsticker]

Bearings in the handle knobs aren't pointless imo.

[ww2farmer]

Doesn't everything come down to personal preference in this sport?

Yup................glad to see at least some of the younger people on here "get it"

[HoosierHawgs]

Bearings in the handle knobs aren't pointless imo.

 

Saying they are pointless is an ignorant statement. Bearings will help your handle knobs hold up better.