[skatemaster]

A lot of manufacturers claim XX# of drag. What does that mean?

I am conservative. I put the lever in freespool and turn the drag knob until I lose freespool. Then I back the knob off a quarter turn (the typical throw of a drag lever), so that when the reel is in strike position, there is minimal binding of parts. Whatever drag is produced at strike with full spool of line is what I consider maximum. That is how Cofe rates drags BTW.

I understand that Tiburon rates their reels differently. For their reels, put the lever in freespool, turn the drag knob until you lose freespool and back it off a hair. Then put the lever in full That is where they measure their numbers.

Shimano, with their new Tiagra 12, claims 17# of drag at strike with freespool. I don't understand what the "with freespool" part of that statement means.

It seems like everyone measures differently. Which way is right?

 

[sam843]

I guess what Shimano means is that at strike you can have 17 pounds and still have free spool if you go to much over the 17 lbs the reel looses the free spool.
I'm pretty sure that Cal,Cofe or kerry would be able to sleeve the shimano 12 and 16 and get a great free spool and bump up the drag too.
I set my lever drags with scale line coming of the rod I set the strike at about a third of the line breaking limit that I'm using, that way I can go to full with out breaking the line thats with mono
With spectra I try to find
a happy medium between the reels limits,the pound test of the top shot or keeping me from doing the underwater Nantauket sleigh ride.

(This post edited by sam843 on 03/11/2003)

 

[Tunatoys]

Drag

As I demostrated at the bash most lever drag reels can be modified to retain freespool throughout the range of the preset knob.Most times a freespooler is necessary.The overall drag of the reel can be adjusted by changing the drag springs(in most cases bellville washers)
By either tension,stacking or overall number.Blueprinting the drag involves setting up the drag pressure for the way YOU want to fish.In some cases the drag "cam" is also modified to facilitate a "baitrunner"type feature.
Anyone with specific requests can send me a private message;I will either do the work or refer you to someone who can
if I cannot.
T.T.

 

[JACKSON]

Just a thought

Maybe "with freespool" can be compared to a non lever drag reel such as a newell. When enough pressure is put on a newell it won't go to free spool----unless you ease the pressure---Am I making any sense here?

(This post edited by JACKSON on 03/13/2003)