The Science of Drag - Carbon Fiber Drag Washers

[FischerAngling]

I've been researching carbon fiber drag washers for some time and found an interesting article. There are a couple reasons to upgrade the drag system on your reel. You'll get a smoother drag with carbon fiber with much less slippage. Your drag system is also going to be able to handle the much heavier tests of braided line. They also last a long time and can be washed and re-installed.

Take a look at the article as it's an interesting read. If you're interested in upgrading I've got a new supplier who can get these for just about any reel. They average $12-$20 depending upon how many washers your reel has in it. I just upgraded all my reels and have been happy so far.

http://www.sportfishingmag.com/techniques/science-drag

[Swells]

Excellent article! What I like are smooth drags and reliability, and I'm not going for power. When reels get older and are exposed to some salt as during surf fishing, they can degrade even stainless ... so the drag washer kit is nice ... with CarbonTex of course. Kind of hard to figure out so usually I get somebody to help me out, like a reel repairman who knows the ordering of the washers and what to grease with the right stuff.

Another cool thing for spinning reels (I know many don't use them but here it goes), you can get a second spool all ready to go if you blow up the first, and even used will often work. Get the drag kit on that one too! I've done this such as one for little dinks in the bay, and a heavier mainline and top-shot for offshore such as snapper and amberjack. Yes, we haul in 50 pound amberjack on little "trout pole" reels.

The only problem with cranking them down is that you transfer some pretty hefty stress to the hook, any knots, the leader, the rod tip, the reel and reel seat ... and your back. With a couple of spine injuries and a bad sciatic nerve, you just don't do that much unless you have a conventional lever drag reel with the fighting belt and even a harness. I'll let the younger kids fight plus-50 pounders with a coffee grinder and super-drags.