Tiagra 30wlrs, can I get more drag?

[Tomfl]

First post here..

Just picked up a Tiagra 30WLRS and would like to know if there is a way to increase the max drag on this reel? Would like to still retain freespool if possible. Is there a way to do this, and if so, is this reel capable of handling more drag without damage to the frame, handle, internals, etc?




I did a search on the forum, and did not come up with much on the 30.

Thanks

-T

[conchydong]

I am sure Alan can do it but these guys are the gurus of doing what you are asking for.
www.Cals2speed.com

[kamuwela]

hey tom take a look at the tutoriol on the 50wlrsa in the shimano section. you will need to reconfigure the belleville washers to get a higher drag. example stock will look something like (())(()) the strongest would be that they all face the same way ((((((((l keep in mind that the drag will ramp ur real fast. every click on the drag lever will increase the drag dramaticlly

[Tomfl]

hey tom take a look at the tutoriol on the 50wlrsa in the shimano section. you will need to reconfigure the belleville washers to get a higher drag. example stock will look something like (())(()) the strongest would be that they all face the same way ((((((((l keep in mind that the drag will ramp ur real fast. every click on the drag lever will increase the drag dramaticlly

Kam, I did find that post and read it thoroughly. Was hoping the internals were the same and it'd be that easy.

While I'm in there, is there anything that should be upgraded/replaced since it's open? Drag washers, etc? I looked at smoothdrag.com and did not see any carbon washers available for this reel.

Thanks for the responses, just found this site and I wish I'd found it sooner. Lots to learn here...

[alantani]

make sure you get grease on the back of the drag washer and the working surface of the aluminum pressure plate.  salt water can get caught inbetween. 

[kamuwela]

tom im sure that the drag washer is carbon fiber already. just apply some cal's and wipe it off. make sure to add some to the spool under the drag plate like alan say's. the reel's are almost identical, follow the 50 post and youll be fine
                                                              aloha
                                                              kamu

[Dismissed]

I just changed the belleville config on my 30WLRS's to get just a bit more out of full.  I troll these reels a lot for a mixed bag, with some blue marlin thrown in, and wanted a still decent ramp up, just need a little more in the "corner" for when that big one digs on you. 

Stock (())()  -  16 lb strike, 27 lb full

(())))  -  set same 16 lb strike gave me 31 lb full and a pretty smooth ramp up. 

Only other thing that I changed between these 2 is the stock reel had the washer exactly as it came from Shimano, I put Cal's on the washer when I changed the belleville's.  Not a big change, but actually about exactly what I was looking for.  31 does feel like a lot of drag out of that reel. 

[Tomfl]

Great info here guys, thanks.

As odd as it might sound, this reel won't see any blue marlin or the like. I picked it up to have something "heavy duty" to fight jewfish inshore and nearshore here in S FL. Basically a tug of war, hand-to-hand combat style to keep fish out of structure in shallow water. Tiagra wouldn't have been my first choice for something like this because of the cost but I picked it up in excellent shape for a great price and I think the integrity and strength of the reel will be a bonus over other "lesser" choices out there.

I'll spool it up tonight, check it with a scale before doing any mods. Also considering a handle change to one of the larger custom jobs; it look like they'd help with the higher drag pressures.

Will let you guys know what I find...both in the reel and in the water!

-T

[Tomfl]

Well I checked the reel prior to modding it, and now I'm wondering if I either have a messed up scale, or if not, whether any mods are even necessary.

Only spooled it 3/4 full as I don't need the line capacity, and thinking it will help increase drag pressure.

With about 1-2 seconds of freespool spin, drag at strike is 36lbs, full is 47lbs.......

Holy #$Y*!!

-T

[alantani]

this works!

[jlw1972]

 Reconfigured the belleville washers on my 30 today. 37lbs at strike, 100lb braid, 150lb wind-on.
Sumpn gonna die as soon as the weather allows.
I love this site!

[kamuwela]

glad you got it. what configuration did you use on the belleville's?

[jlw1972]

I used the one from above. (())))  this one. I didnt check max. Got all I can hold on to at strike.