FISHING CAN BE A REEL DRAG

Taking closer look at some of the working parts

By Paul Nixon

FISHING reels have come a long way over the years, starting off with very rudimentary workings and moving on to very high performance and fancy specimens indeed. Gone are the days of having to douse a reel in water to cool it down because of huge runs and reels overheating due to extreme drag pressure. As a result of the drag friction on those old reels, anglers sometimes had to deal with inconsistent drag performance.

Before discussing the various materials used in modern fishing reels, let’s consider how drag washers function.

Drag systems — through a series of disks and washers connected to the reel’s spool — rub (or drag) together, applying friction which creates drag or pressure to slow down the line as the fish pulls on hard runs. All this happens in a controlled manner so as not to create a sudden stop which might cause your line to part.

Certain materials handle this pressure and friction better than others, while some washers compress over time and have poor heat expelling properties. All of this leads anglers to upgrade existing drags to more durable materials.

Drag washers generally get more fancy the higher up the reel spectrum you go. Entry level reels — those you would not really use to consistently target big and fast fish — have simple plastic or cloth washers; they provide some level of resistance, but not ultra-responsive drag pressure.

Mid- and high-end reels, particularly nowadays, come with standard issue carbon weave plate washers as these offer really good responsiveness, longevity and a much smoother drag than their cloth drag predecessors.

What is carbontex and how does it work? These drag washers are made from high-quality carbon fibre with very high heat tolerance which allows for silky smooth, consistent pressure.

This system relies on friction, so some form of lubrication will also need to be considered. Due to the fact that we are now playing with high end materials, only high-end lubricants should be applied. A good friend put it this way: Don’t put retreads on your Ferrari.

Cal’s Drag Grease is a good option. Massage a small amount into both sides of the carbon washer to give you the best results. Over lubricating a reel and its drag washers can have negative effects. If you are not sure exactly how to do this then rather go to someone who does this professionally.