Drag Backs Off when Throwing a Jerkbait (Shimano SLX MGL 70)

[Big Hands]

Just like the title says, when using my SLX MGL 70 with 8 lbs monofilament on the SLXCX610MXF casting rod, I notice the drag seems to back off after several casts and I have to re-adjust it several times over the course of a day. I do snap it pretty firmly when fishing jerkbaits, but I can't figure out why that would back off the drag.

 

Everything else seems to function properly and it's an otherwise great reel. 

 

Anyone else have something similar happen?

[A-Jay]

Are your @Big Hands bumping the drag while you're working the bait,

eventually causing this deal ?

If not, I got nothing.

A-Jay

 

[Big Hands]

3 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Are your @Big Hands bumping the drag while you're working the bait,

eventually causing this deal ?

If not, I got nothing.

A-Jay

 

 

Interesting thought that I hadn't considered. I do, after all,  have . . . . 'big hands'. 

[T-Billy]

I'll be interested in hearing @Delaware Valley Tackle's thoughts on this. The drag on one of my two Tranx 401's randomly backs off, but not nearly as often as the OP's reel.

[Team9nine]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

Are your @Big Hands bumping the drag while you're working the bait,

eventually causing this deal ?

If not, I got nothing.

A-Jay

 

This ^^
 

It happens occasionally to me (a couple 2 or 3 times a trip if primarily jerkbaiting all afternoon) just based on the way I hold my rod/reel and work the jerkbait. Barely moves a little at a time so you don’t see or feel the little drag clicker move. Next thing you know, you go to swinging and nothing happens except your line plays out 😊
 

[new2BC4bass]

I was having the same problem with an Alphas...8# co-polymer...casting 3/8 oz. cranks and squares.  Not the first time I used it, but the first time from a canoe.  Only had the problem from the boat.  Figured it had to be my fault, but was too busy fishing to pay attention to anything else. 

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I can’t see any mechanical reason for the drag to back off aside from moving the drag star intentionally or unintentionally. The detail that it only happens during certain motions and positions supports this idea. I have seen Heavy jerkbaiting put a beating on AR clutches causing a handle to intermittently back turn but that’s another story. 

[newapti5]

Other than moving the drag star unintentionally, what is your initial drag setting? If you set the drag low and you're giving a firm jerk action every time, that means the drag is giving out a little line every time you jerk. Overtime it could cause the decrease of drag force, and the drag may seem "slipping" during a hookset. Next time fishing a jerkbait, you could put your thumb on the spool to feel it. I do that so I could make sure not much line is given out during jerking, and with my thumb lifted, I could still have the appropriate amount of drag force during hookset.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

On casting I had alphas sv that the brakes would back off to 0 blowing up the spool