Carbontex Drag Study

[Jaheff]

I just replaced my drags on one reel with carbontex washers.I have two Diawa Hsta's.I buttoned both down and took a drag sample on my spring scale..

Before replacing the drags my oldest ( and most used, even in Salt) got an average of 8.1.My newest reel ( used only twice )got 8.4. I then replaced the drag washer's with Carbontex,from smoothdrag on my oldest reel, greased with Cals drag grease and i could get 10 pounds of drag consistantly.So thats a gain on the old reel of1.9 pounds of drag. The biggest difference is the way the drag starts off smooth with no jumps. That is what i was looking for for fishing in the salt..

I just posted this in case it helps anybody who wanted to upgrade their drags to carbontex. Before I did this i looked all over for real world findings but couldn't find any...

[Bronzefly]

Good work!  I haven't tested the drag differences via any sort of measuring instruments, but can clearly feel the improved smoothness and power over stock drag stacks in most reels.  I'm a big fan of carbontex drag washers.

[BassnMan Mike]

I swap out all of my drag washers with the Carbontex ones, in my opinion it makes a huge difference

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The Carbontex drag is the real deal, and pretty inexpensive upgrade. Even on a reel with powerful stock drag the smoothness is an improvement.

I can install them as part of a regular cleaning on which BassResource.com members get a 10% discount on parts and labor.

Mike

[Dockhead]

I can install them as part of a regular cleaning on which BassResource.com members get a 10% discount on parts and labor.

So what is the price for a cleaning and how much is it to add the carbontex?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Standard Clean/Lube - $18.00

HSTA Drag Kit Retail   - $ 8.00

Sub Total    -$26.00

BassResource.com Disc   ($2.60)

Total  - $23.40

Shipping/Ins est  $8.00

TYD  $31.40

Thanks,

Mike

[21farms]

jaheff, good stuff...thanks for sharing!

just wondering if you've tried your carbontex dry (without cal's drag grease)? i run mine dry but have always wondered how differently they would behave wet.

[.RM.]

Adding a dash of either Shimano® drag grease or Cal's® gear/drag grease to both sides of the Carbontex pads will help if your getting sticky start-ups when fighting fish. It tends to smooth them out some...

Running them dry if they sit for awhile between trips, they can and do get sticky...

Tight Lines All!!!

[Jaheff]

jaheff, good stuff...thanks for sharing!

just wondering if you've tried your carbontex dry (without cal's drag grease)? i run mine dry but have always wondered how differently they would behave wet.

Sorry, was out of town.

This was the first reel I have changed the drags on.The HSTA is already a wet drag system.I use this reel in salt,so the million dollar question is that,by putting drag grease on reels that are used for salt water apps. is that if salt water gets inside the reel the salt water won't build up on the drag washers, just beed off? Hope you can understand what I'm trying to say.This has been an argument of salt water reel Mechanics for years, I decided to go with grease.The greased drag's in my opinion thus far is a smoother start up...

[SirSnookalot]

That's fine work........but isn't it proper to set your drag according to the test of the line?  I don't know what test line you use in saltwater and your target species, but setting a drag much tighter than it should be will often result in line breakage.  If you need extra drag to stop a fish then you should be using a heavier reel and rod with heavier line.

[Jaheff]

The most I use is 15 pound test on that reel..It's for the three B's..Bass, Barracuda, and Bonita..

[baluga]

Applying cals grease on carbontex drag would make your drag slip. My revo inshore slips when I apply some cals grease, I could get about 3 to 4#s of drag only when I apply grease on the carbontex. The abu rep tech advice me not to apply drag grease on the carbontex.  I use my revo inshore for saltwater surf fishing so I apply a thin layer of cals grease on metal drag washer now I'm getting some decent drag but not near the listed 24# drag for revo inshore.

[SirSnookalot]

The most I use is 15 pound test on that reel..It's for the three B's..Bass, Barracuda, and Bonita..

Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

I fish cuda and Bonito on a very regular basis.

Drag ratings differ quite a bit spinning as compared to a conventional reel.  I use 4000 stadic for my cuda 20# drag, bonito spheros 8000 27#drag, barely stops them, and a conventional Avet mxj 9 lb on strike max 16lb.  The Avet has so much more stopping power than any of the spinners but the rating is quite a bit less and less than the 24# Revo, but better suited for offshore use.  Still have to have the proper rod and line ,15# on a tight drag will lose a ton of bonita, have to back that drag down and fight a fish properly, pull up reel down and take your time.

To be honest, how can you mention bass, along with cuda and bonita?  Bass are small with a minimal fight as compared to the extreme power of a bonita.  Bottom line, if you are going to fish saltwater use the proper saltwater equipment set at the proper drag, earn how to land some of these powerful fish and leave your bass rig at home. 

[Jaheff]

Sir Snook,

I dont get what your saying, I guess it's an East coast, west coast thing? I can catch all three B's with my HSTA out here on the west coast.

And dont Grease your drag on the Avet, it voids your warranty.

Here is a link to my reel (only his is left handed),done by the most saught after salt water reel mechanic. Alan is the one pushing the greased carbontex drags.Read his post's and look at the reel tear downs..

http://alantani.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=j079khn11ao2u2l9sdiccmdhn0&topic=884.0

[RWSCHMITZ]

Applying cals grease on carbontex drag would make your drag slip. My revo inshore slips when I apply some cals grease, I could get about 3 to 4#s of drag only when I apply grease on the carbontex. The abu rep tech advice me not to apply drag grease on the carbontex. I use my revo inshore for saltwater surf fishing so I apply a thin layer of cals grease on metal drag washer now I'm getting some decent drag but not near the listed 24# drag for revo inshore.

I use Cal's Drag Grease on my Carbontex wahers in my Inshore and here is a trick to get more drag # I'm getting over 24lbs with my washers GREASED !!!!!

Move one of the cup drag washers under anti-rev bushing.

[SirSnookalot]

What I'm saying is tightening your drag with 15# line too tight is going to get you broke off with many saltwater species.  You need to set that drag where it's supposed to be and play the fish, I may tighten my drag a click or 2 ( while fighting the fish) but I'm not putting the line in jeopardy of breaking .  In addition you just don't know what's going to hit your line next.

Wanting a smoother drag is entirely different issue.

[Jaheff]

You are 100% correct Sirsnook...I think we are saying the same thing.I just want the extra drag if i do need it. Just incase that yellow hits . But if yellows are in the area, i would go to my Avet SX.

[SirSnookalot]

Cool......I see so many people coming out underarmed.

Being an east coaster I don't know what a Yellow is.

[Jaheff]

Yellowtail..

I know you have an Avet,Read this from Avets point of view on greased drags,and read what other fisherman say on the subject...Interesting

http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/avet-reels-support/104954-grease-not-grease.html

[baluga]

Applying cals grease on carbontex drag would make your drag slip.  My revo inshore slips when I apply some cals grease, I could get about 3 to 4#s of drag only when I apply grease on the carbontex.  The abu rep tech advice me not to apply drag grease on the carbontex.  I use my revo inshore for saltwater surf fishing so I apply a thin layer of cals grease on metal drag washer now I'm getting some decent drag but not near the listed 24# drag for revo inshore. 

I use Cal's Drag Grease on my Carbontex wahers in my Inshore and here is a trick to get more drag # I'm getting over 24lbs with my washers GREASED !!!!!

Move one of the drag washers under anti-rev bushing.

Thanks. I'm going to try that! 

[21farms]

Applying cals grease on carbontex drag would make your drag slip.

i wonder why they say that "carbontex drags can be used dry or with a very light coating of Cal's Universal Reel and Drag Grease" then?

[SirSnookalot]

Yellowtail snapper, we have them here too.

My Avet reel is 2 years old, didn't have the first cleaning until it was a year, probably ready for a second one.  I take them in, my local tackle shop sells and services them.  Personally I have no interest in being my own reel mechanic, I applaud the people that have the interest and more mechanically minded than me.