Backing off Drags 2025

MaxumBass reply :

There has been a lot of talk about drags lately which brings up a question. How many people back there drags off when they are done fishing? I have heard its a good habit to get into but I very seldom think to do it. I DO try to back them off for winter storage tho.....

Max

jhoffman reply :

Seems rather pointless unless you store it in a moist environment. I would think the reason people do that is they think either that the pressure on the springs are bad or something is going to lock up. With the amount of lube in those things, dont bother.

Probably came from people storing cars for long periods of time...(not letting the ebrake on) I think its a hoax.

Grey Wolf reply :

It is a good habit to get into. It will definately preserve your drags ability to perform over a period of years.

Raul reply :

Quote
There has been a lot of talk about drags lately which brings up a question. How many people back there drags off when they are done fishing?

Always done it, the drag in my over 2 old decade reels is just as new.

lubina reply :

Always.....even the those that live on my truck

BrockSamson reply :

I always do.

Fish MD reply :

I do...not sure if it really makes a difference but I still do it. The way I figure is, it can't hurt and only take 2 seconds. Why not!

Raul reply :

Back in the old days not backing up your drag when the reel not in use meant constant pressure upon the drag washers and drag pad material, which were not as advanced as the material found in modern day drag pads, in some cases they were made of felt like material, in others made of something akin compressed cardboard, in others of compressed cork, in others it was leather. The strength of you drag was proportional to the thickness of those pads, thinner pads meant weaker and less responsive drag, besides, most of them had wet drag pad system, the pad was soaked in lubricant, the constant pressure caused the lubricant to ooze away making the pad dry and brittle.

In modern day reels the drag pad material is ages away from those early drag pads, most of them are incompressible, but the drag washers and springs no matter how modern and no matter how strong will flatten out with time if maintained under constant pressure. That is why you should loosen the drag when the reel is not in use.

skillet reply :

Unless I'm going back the next day, I do. Thinking about it, I'll back 'em off most of the time even then...

As Ever,

skillet

David P reply :

I started doing this only about a month or two ago. But now I do it ever time.

The first few times I forgot to tighten it down on the first cast, and even lost 1 fish. But now I remember every time.

Infidel. reply :

I do it every time I am done fishing. Been doing it so long that I don't even think about it anymore, it's just a habbit.

fish-fighting-illini reply :

I'd like to do it more but then the line is always coming loose from the hook kepper. Or the line is getting wrapped around other stuff. In the price range that I buy reels in (max $100 list $50 cost ) I think I'll just use them and leave the drag and call it close enough.

roadwarrior reply :

Well, if you are going to leave your lures tied up, I don't think it makes any difference anyhow...

That is not the best way to maintain equipment. I would suggest cutting off the lure, reeling down and cutting off 5-10' of line to start the new day. For me, re-tying is mandatory.

8-)

Grey Wolf reply :

Quote
Well, if you are going to leave your lures tied up, I don't think it makes any difference anyhow...
That is not the best way to maintain equipment. I would suggest cutting off the lure, reeling down and cutting off 5-10' of line to start the new day. For me, re-tying is mandatory.

8-)

"Differant strokes for differant folks." Some people just don't believe the little things make a differance and nothing is going to change their minds. That's what seperates the great ones from the good ones.JMO

senile1 reply :

Quote
Well, if you are going to leave your lures tied up, I don't think it makes any difference anyhow...
That is not the best way to maintain equipment. I would suggest cutting off the lure, reeling down and cutting off 5-10' of line to start the new day. For me, re-tying is mandatory.

8-)

I do this but I don't wait until right before I leave to do it. I usually do it the night before a trip and I attach the lures or terminal tackle with which I plan to begin my day. These can change when I get to the lake, but this usually saves me time to start with. So I still run into the issue of lures coming loose from the hook keeper. After attaching the lures I turn the drag down, but not all the way so they won't come loose.

Raul reply :

Quote
"Differant strokes for differant folks." Some people just don't believe the little things make a differance and nothing is going to change their minds. That's what seperates the great ones from the good ones.JMO

Details, the devil is in the details.

roadwarrior reply :

Quote

Quote
Well, if you are going to leave your lures tied up, I don't think it makes any difference anyhow...
That is not the best way to maintain equipment. I would suggest cutting off the lure, reeling down and cutting off 5-10' of line to start the new day. For me, re-tying is mandatory.

8-)

I do this but I don't wait until right before I leave to do it. I usually do it the night before a trip and I attach the lures or terminal tackle with which I plan to begin my day. These can change when I get to the lake, but this usually saves me time to start with. So I still run into the issue of lures coming loose from the hook keeper. After attaching the lures I turn the drag down, but not all the way so they won't come loose.

Okay, misunderstood. I do the same thing and just loosen the drag, but not so much that it causes problems. I think the point to be made is to loosen the drag completely for extended storage.

8-)

harshman reply :

I loosen mine up for winter or prolonged storage , but as much as I fish there is no use in backing off the drag during the season. I'd wear out the threads on the knob before the reel quit working.

Harshman

.RM. reply :

Back off the drags for prolonged storage, (winter or longer). More than that is personal preference.

Just my .02¢ from the bench...

Tight Lines!!!

NitroMan reply :

I have been fishing for over 10 years and this is the first i have heard of anyone talking about loosening the drag after fishing. I have never changed my drag even for winter storage. But I think I will start that now. I usually only fish cheaper reels, but I just recently bought a nice quantum reel, it was so expensive that maybe loosening the drag will give it a prolonged life. Thanks for making me think.

fish-fighting-illini reply :

Like someone said different strokes for different folks. To me fishing is strictly for fun. Having to baby my equipment or retie all the time would take the fun out of it ( to a degree). Plus I bank fish a lot so the issue of tying can be more of a pain amongst the weeds and trees. I just don't take it that serious. I could see people who are really into it as almost a precision art form if you will or for tny people with money on the line.

For me I just want to show up enjoy nature and not worry too much about missing a fish here or there.

I am working on backing my drags off more often just to take better care of my equipment.

If I was fishing $200 Curado's or Chronarch's then I could see the extra effort.

EastTexasBassin reply :

My buddy's dad always backs off the drag on all of the reels after each trip. Its so funny to watch him lose his first fish on every trip because he forgot to set the drag. He sets the hook and I can hear the spool spinning...too funny.

Red reply :

Quote
Like someone said different strokes for different folks. Having to baby my equipment or retie all the time would take the fun out of it.

i agree with this. i dont retie unless i am changing my bait, or the line breaks. and i certainly dont baby my gear. i know i should but i just dont. when i lip a fish i just chuck the rod and reel down or whatever to un-hook the fish. my buddy did step on one of my rods once, but it didnt break, cracked the finish in one spot but i repaired it. i guess my thoughts are this. i am out to enjoy the outdoors and catch some bass, not worry about scratching my gear. i dont use really high end stuff, but even if i did i would still treat it the same.

Cliff

roadwarrior reply :

Quote

Quote
Like someone said different strokes for different folks. Having to baby my equipment or retie all the time would take the fun out of it.

i agree with this. i dont retie unless i am changing my bait, or the line breaks. and i certainly dont baby my gear. i know i should but i just dont. when i lip a fish i just chuck the rod and reel down or whatever to un-hook the fish. my buddy did step on one of my rods once, but it didnt break, cracked the finish in one spot but i repaired it. i guess my thoughts are this. i am out to enjoy the outdoors and catch some bass, not worry about scratching my gear. i dont use really high end stuff, but even if i did i would still treat it the same.

Cliff

Hmm...

I treat all of my hunting and fishing equipment with care.

I suppose that's why it always works and seems to last forever.

8-)

surfer reply :

I'm in Florida. We don't have an off season. So I rarely back my drags off if ever. Two weeks is the longest I go without fishing.

boomdigity reply :

I will back the drag off during the winter because its so long here but once ice is out I don't think about much. I also fish everyday so the drag system never gets set-up. I also only use two setups most of the time because I can only carry so much with me. I also have been picking certain things to work on a day. One day I'll have jigs on or a spinnerbait and work those and learning diffrent things. I am still spending alot of time learning how to bass fish.

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Backing off Drags 2025

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