Do you loosen drag after each use? 2025

infamous512 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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

mrlitetackle reply :

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

but do you fish BC's or spinners?

infamous512 reply :

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

The Rooster reply :

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 reply :

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

swilly78 reply :

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 reply :

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

Lucky Craft Man reply :

Quote
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 reply :

I only loosen mine when they are stored for Winter.

steezy reply :

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

roadwarrior reply :

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

EVERY time.

8-)

Raul reply :

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

infamous512 reply :

You guys are great! 8-)

Pantera61 reply :

always

Crestliner2008 reply :

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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 reply :

Quote

Quote
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. reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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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 reply :

Its second nature for me same as tightining it before fishing

The Rooster reply :

Quote
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 reply :

Quote

Quote
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

tyrius. reply :

Quote
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 was mentioned in a previous thread and was all I needed to change.

Micro reply :

Quote

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.

Some might stick. I don't think the carbon matrix would. It is inevitible that I forget to untighten a drag now and again and sometimes I don't discover it for quite a long time. I've never had any problems with the drag sticking after I discovered it.

Sam reply :

Loosen the drag.

Guy who repairs reels in my area suggested that everyone do this or else you will damage the washers.

Dave T. reply :

I only loosen mine after cleaning during the off season. Never had an issue with any drag sticking.

Having said that, it's probably not a bad idea, and certainly can't hurt. However, for sure, if I loosen the drag during the season, I'm sure I'll forget to tighten it... and loose a "lunker" because of it. ;D

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Do you loosen drag after each use? 2025

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