Front VS rear drag?

[jbmaine]

Anyone that has read my posts in the last week or so has seen I have many more questions than answers. thanks for your patience in responding to them. As i get up to speed on Bass fishing I hope to be able to offer more and ask less.

My question is, on a spinning reel is there any performance differance with rear drag VS front drag or is it just personal choise? I see some reels are offered both ways and wondered which was the best way to go.

Thanks

[burleytog]

I've found FD's to be a little less sticky than RD's.  Until last year I used only RD.  Not for any particularly notable reason, just because I liked the way they looked.  I was worried about the ability to adjust the drag when fighting a fish.  

My fears were unfounded.  I now prefer FD reels.

[Raul]

FD have larger washers, which makes them smoother and more responsive under pressure ( they "stick" less ).

Many Shimano RDs come with Fighting Drag system, system that allows you to increase or decrease the drag setting by 50% just by moving a lever, no need to play with the drag setting dial while fighting a fish.

[Jig Man]

There is no way I would ever own another rear drag reel.  I take my reel apart several times each year and thoroughly clean them.  I have never successfully been able to get a rear drag apart.  I got so frustrated with them that I gave them all away.

[sal669]

Better /larger drag on FD, and as easy to adjust as rear drag. Adjust it before you start fishing the way you like it and leave it alone.

If you realy, realy want  to ease up a bit, flick the antirevers(A/R) on, take your fingers of the reel handle reach to the spool and readjust. The rotor stays in the same position if you have the A/R ON, so you're not gonna have your knuckles busted.

If you don't have the A/R on, it's tough to do it on RD reels too.

FD , RD