Are power handles worth less drag?

[Lucas G.]

I recently got the Shimano Tranx 300 with the power handle but it has four pounds less drag than the one with paddle handles. Do you guys think that the power handles are worth less drag especially with saltwater fish like big snook, tarpon and jacks? I bought the reel mainly for big bait applications for bass fishing as well as big bait applications for big saltwater fish. Just a discussion so I am not looking for advice. Just a chance to learn and understand.

[J Francho]

I can't think of what difference a handle would make on drag.

[BrianMDTX]

All I can think is that if the drag is set at maximum, maybe the handle enables more torque that could affect the line’s break strength, and a lower max drag compensates for that. 
 

But…I’m no Isaac Newton. 

[jbsoonerfan]

Are you sure you didn't get the HG version, which is why it has 4 lbs less drag? The handle shouldn't make a difference.

[Dogface]

24 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Are you sure you didn't get the HG version, which is why it has 4 lbs less drag? The handle shouldn't make a difference.

 

I think the power handle only comes on the HG version.

 

I noticed the same specs on my HG and assumed it was due to the gearing but I never looked into it deeper. I did remove the power handle and replaced it with a factory double paddle. I found the power handle to be too big and cumbersome for my fishing. 

[Tennessee Boy]

It's important to understand how  much drag you actually need.  I set my drag with a scale and it is extremely rare that I set it higher than 5 pounds.  If I was fishing with 60lb braid and using rod rated for 20-40 # line,  I might go as high as 8 pounds of drag to protect the rod if I to hook a world record drum  but usually I just lock it down when I know it very unlikely that I will hook something that could break my line or rod.

 

I've never owned a reel that didn't have way more drag than I would ever need for bass fishing.  Someone who also used a reel for saltwater fishing might think differently.

[WRB]

It’s always better to set your drag accurately before fighting a fish about 1/3 rd the line or rod strength. Star drags are not popular with off shore salt water anglers, most use lever drags that can be set at various positions and adjusted as needed while fighting fish.

Longer reel handle gives the angler more leverage but slows down how fast you can turn the handle 1 revolution. Big game fish salt water reels have 2 speeds and lever drags to control fast hard fighting fish.

Fresh water Black bass you can add drag using your thumb, Big fast salt water fish you need a glove to protect your thumb from burning. Using a lever drag eliminates using your thumb, simply slide the lever.

Tom

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Today’s reels all have overkill drags on them. If reels with different handles have slightly different specs it’s not because of the handle, but some other feature like gear size. At any rate it’s irrelevant for the most part. 

[Lucas G.]

Apparently the higher gear is to compensate for the slower turn of a power handle and since it’s a higher gear ratio it sacrifices a little bit of drag. That’s why my question was if it was worth it and hoping somebody who has experience with power handles and the way they affect big fish while fighting them would answer. 

[WRB]

About 50 years using International reels with power handles should suffice. Hundreds of big tuna and marlin, don’t get any bigger or stronger. 

Tom

[Deleted account]

Neither the handle length nor the gear ratio ("conjunction junction, how's that function?") have any effect on the drag. I doubt there is any difference on those reels, probably a typo, and even if there was a difference, plenty of drag for inshore salt use in either case. I think there is a bill in committee prohibiting bass guys from discussing drags...

[Lucas G.]

21 hours ago, Deleted account said:

Neither the handle length nor the gear ratio ("conjunction junction, how's that function?") have any effect on the drag. I doubt there is any difference on those reels, probably a typo, and even if there was a difference, plenty of drag for inshore salt use in either case. I think there is a bill in committee prohibiting bass guys from discussing drags...

This isn’t necessarily bass and that’s why I put emphasis on the inshore part especially big snook and tarpon. Every yard and pound of drag is life or death when your fighting a big tarpon or snook because the leader can only buy you so much time. That’s why I was wondering if anybody had experience in fighting these big fish with heavier duty baitcasters and I got what I needed.

[J Francho]

20 minutes ago, Lucas G. said:

This isn’t necessarily bass

No, it is definitely necessarily bass.  You must realize what site you're on, what the focus may be.  It's perfectly fine to talk about salt fishing, but don't assume anyone's response to account for your specific situation unless you post in the Other Species category.

23 minutes ago, Lucas G. said:

I got what I needed.

Glad for that.