How to store any reels ......DRAG ADJUSTMENT CORRECTLY........

[cyclops2]

I always FULLY back off the tension to zero even for a few days.  It allows any PLASTIC TYPE of discs to ALMOST  go back to original shape.  Some makes use only 3 fingered pressure discs. They can cause those steady high / low drag feels when pulled by hand.  So I always back all reel drags to 0 drag.

[Mike L]

I do the same and take off all plastics 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Jig Man]

I used to until I forgot to retighten one and a good fish hit my spinnnerbait.  It was a mess when I set the hook.  So I quit loosening them and don't have any issues.

[Deleted account]

When I remember, I like to back off the drags, but not all the way, kinda where there is just a tad of friction with the spool

[Mojo Bass]

Sorry this is a little off topic and on topic at the same time this just made me 

think……

 

every time I’ve bought a new baitcaster when it arrives and I take it out of the box the drag is always clamped down……. Why would the manufacturers do this?

 

I too back my drags off when I’m not using them, not to nothing at all but very close. 

[roadwarrior]

I don't make any adjustments. One and done.

 

Just for fun I occasionally retest a reel or two to make sure my "feel" is still

in range. I like the drag set 2 -2 1/2 lbs on spinning tackle, 2 1/2 - 3 lbs. for

baitcasting.

 

 

                                          

[GreenPig]

Back the drags off when I get home. Reset the drags before I hook the boat up and out of habit when I pick up any rod I'll get the line a pull just to verify. Right or wrong? It works for me.

[MN Fisher]

If the drag on the reel is oil-felt - then yes, I back it off the end of each trip.

If the drag is carbon-fiber - I just back it off the end of the season.

[T-Billy]

I'm with @MN Fisher on this one. All my reels have carbon drags. I back 'em off for winter storage, other than that, I set 'em and forget 'em. Never had an issue. 

[DINK WHISPERER]

All of my reels have carbon drag but I still back it all the way off after every trip. 

[garroyo130]

Always back off crew here ... even if carbon drag theres a spring in there that i dont want to keep compressed unless in use 

[Catt]

4 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

I don't make any adjustments. One and done.

 

Exactly ?

 

@Delaware Valley Tackle overhauled my 35+ year old Calcuttas, he could tell you if my drag was bad.

[Log Catcher]

I always back my drags off completely after every trip. Get them set again when I put them in the boat for the next trip.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

3 hours ago, Catt said:

 

Exactly ?

 

@Delaware Valley Tackle overhauled my 35+ year old Calcuttas, he could tell you if my drag was bad.

Ya, I don’t see any need to sweat this. In the grand scheme of things there are lots more important reel

care practices. I don’t recommend locking down a drag for use let alone storage. 

[Catt]

7 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I don’t recommend locking down a drag for use let alone storage.

 

I've never locked down a drag on any reel I've ever owned. Not even when frogging or punching.

 

The drag is there for a reason!

 

Everyone talks about locking down reels that have 25 lbs of drag, my poor Calcutta only has like 9.5 lbs drag max.

[NorthernBasser]

If I'm froggin' or punchin' I lock the drag down. Obviously I'm using braid, and I wanna turn those fishes heads as fast as possible and horse them out of the vegetation quickly.

[Bird]

Never touch the drags from year to year.

[Catt]

21 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

I wanna turn those fishes heads as fast as possible and horse them out of the vegetation quickly.

 

Calcutta max drag 9.5 lbs. I have it set at 6 lbs, with that I've boated 35 double digit bass up to 12 lbs 8 oz. 

[WRB]

The max drag I use for fresh water bass fishing is 4 lbs and like Catt caught more DD bass then I can remember. 

Keep your drag in good smooth working operation and it will not fail you. Your thumb can more force if needed.

Spinning reels are more sensitive to drag forces then bait casting reels with star drag adjustment and tend to have higher start up forces. 

I back off the drag pressure when putting the reels away and adjust when rigging to fish.

Tom

[tander]

Set it and forget it, never had any problems with the drag not working.

[NorthernBasser]

37 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

Calcutta max drag 9.5 lbs. I have it set at 6 lbs, with that I've boated 35 double digit bass up to 12 lbs 8 oz. 

Bragger! 

[Catt]

30 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

Bragger! 

 

Just stating facts ?

[FishTank]

At the end of the year I back the drag off on all my reels and put them in their original boxes for storage. They are later each cleaned and torn down, if necessary, and at that time I test the drag, back it off and put them back in the box. When fishing season starts, they are taken out of the box, new line put on (if necessary), and the drag, brakes and cast control are reset. 

 

As far as using the drag goes, I never lock it down.  It has a job to do.

 

It only took one messed up reel to come across my desk for me to realize what locking the drag down does to a reel.  It usually goes like this...."There is something wrong with my "insert brand here".  I didn't do anything to it but it grinds, its not as smooth as it use to be or it cast rough.  I have been using 50lb braid and have caught a ton of fish.  Could you please look at my reel and see what is wrong with it?"..... The drag is locked down. The drag washers are smashed until the have a crest at the edges. The insides are toast and basically so is the reel. Few reels can take this abuse but many others aren't made for it. Reels, to me, have systems that are designed to work together. Locking the drag down throws those systems out of wack, causing them to get damaged in the long run. 

[Jig Man]

Question:  For those who always back off the drag, how many setups are you using?

[MN Fisher]

36 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

Question:  For those who always back off the drag, how many setups are you using?

Current inventory is 16 rigs.

3 have yet to be upgraded to carbon drags - so right now it'd be 3 backed off end of every trip and 13 backed off the end of season.