Do you loosen drag after each use?

[infamous512]

I think I read if from somewhere about this topic but I would like to know what you guys think about this. Couple of my fishing buddies recommended me to always loosen my drag setting after each fishing trip to prevent any damage to drag washers, but I'm not sure if this is the correct way or not. FYI, I normally fish at least once per week or every other week.

[The Rooster]

I loosen my drag up after every trip.  Prevents drag lock from happening where the drag washers stick together from the pressure and don't slip as easily. 

[mrlitetackle]

loosening your drag after each outing will prevent the felt drag washers from warping and sticking..(if they are ceramic, i seriously doubt that you could warp them )

i fish an extremely light drag on a regular basis,

and still loosen the drag at the end of the trip.....

its just a good idea to keep your equipment working well, and really takes no effort to preform..

**also, if your equipment is stored in a place where temperatures are likely to rise,

your drag washers can and will expand with the heat, thus increasing the pressure on the components...

loosening them IMO, is a good idea..

[infamous512]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!  I should start doing this on my reels.  8-)

[mrlitetackle]

random question that really doesn't matter much to the topic...

but do you fish BC's or spinners?

[infamous512]

only bc's, I will never go back to spinners. 

[The Rooster]

I loosen drags on every reel, baitcast or spinning. 

As much as I love my baitcast reels, I will always have a place for at least one spinning rod on my boat, many times two spinning rods. 

[Redlinerobert]

I loosen the drag as well after every trip.  Part of the routine.

[swilly78]

First of all, infamous, that is a great avatar.  I also loosen my drag on all my reels after use, I just figure that the less pressure on any given system, the better.

[Grey Wolf]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lucky Craft Man]

I loosen the drag as well after every trip. Part of the routine.

x2...the routine for me also includes, wiping down all the rods and reels used, cleaning the guides while checking for damage, add a little oil to the worm gear of the reels used, taking the reels off the rods, and storing everything in a safe place.

[daviscw]

I only loosen mine when they are stored for Winter.

[steezy]

I loosen it everytime after fishing.  It forces me to reset it and be aware of how it is set prior to fishing.

[roadwarrior]

I loosen it everytime after fishing. It forces me to reset it and be aware of how it is set prior to fishing.

X2

EVERY time.

8-)

[Raul]

Always loosen your drag and your cast control cap on your bcs, your drags will last a lifetime if you do that.

[infamous512]

You guys are great!   8-)

[Pantera61]

always

[Crestliner2008]

I loosen it everytime after fishing. It forces me to reset it and be aware of how it is set prior to fishing.

X10 - Absolutely!

[islandbass]

I loosen it everytime after fishing. It forces me to reset it and be aware of how it is set prior to fishing.

X10 - Absolutely!

x   10^[ch8734].  Matter of fact, they're loosened before I even start walking to the car. Being forced to check the drag before the next outing is a definite plus.

[.RM.]

NO! Only when the reels is going to be stored over a long period of time (ie winter), or is going to be put in my backup box.......

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

[Micro]

I do it out of habit, but really don't think it's necessary with most modern drags - especially carbon matrix type drags.  I don't think it would hurt them one iota if you left the drag tightened.  Friction wears them down, not pressure.  Keeping them clean probably does more to help performance and longevity than keeping pressure off them.

[grimlin]

NO! Only when the reels is going to be stored over a long period of time (ie winter), or is going to be put in my backup box.......

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

This is how i do it....Glad to hear from Reel Mechanic it's ok to do this.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Its second nature for me same as tightining it before fishing

[The Rooster]

I do it out of habit, but really don't think it's necessary with most modern drags - especially carbon matrix type drags. I don't think it would hurt them one iota if you left the drag tightened. Friction wears them down, not pressure. Keeping them clean probably does more to help performance and longevity than keeping pressure off them.

I always thought of it in terms of a drag sticking from pressure rather than wearing them down.  The softer drag discs sticking to the metal discs in the system and not slipping as easily when needed.   

[infamous512]

I do it out of habit, but really don't think it's necessary with most modern drags - especially carbon matrix type drags. I don't think it would hurt them one iota if you left the drag tightened. Friction wears them down, not pressure. Keeping them clean probably does more to help performance and longevity than keeping pressure off them.

I always thought of it in terms of a drag sticking from pressure rather than wearing them down. The softer drag discs sticking to the metal discs in the system and not slipping as easily when needed.

Same thoughts here...  hahaha