Fixing A Grabbing Drag

[Tiddlerbasher]

The study of friction in what we perceive as 'drag' is not  straight foward.
It includes, but not exclusively:
Surface topography and contact mechanics
Hydrodynamic, elasto-hydrodynamic and boundary lubrication
Rheology and lubricant chemistry
Wear and friction of metals, ceramics and polymers etc.
Surface engineering
Also the test methods we employ

Alien terminology to most of us and that's before weird science kicks in
Apply pressure to two friction surfaces and, in our terms 'drag' occurs.
Apply more pressure and you get more drag - up to a point. And this is the weird science. Even more pressure can produce less friction/ drag.

The elasto-hydrodynamic and boundary lubrication aspecs are getting to me - I need red wine deperately

At the end of the day try it. If it works use it. If it doesn't try something else - or are you expecting too much?
Drag isn't everything and reels have a breaking point

[fIsHsTiiCkS]

For me I would buy the tool that does the job, and not bring a sling shot to a gun fight. If you are asking a fresh water reel to do the job of a 12/0 then I think that's like comparing an elephant to a mouse.  

Yup, I agree. I will eventually purchase 3 Makiaras. But right now I have a need to make the best of what I have in hand.....Jeff  

Honestly, if you want more, I would sell the Fathom 2nd for 160, then buy the Fathom 25n LD on ebay for 180. 33lbs of drag and a 5.3:1 gear ration

[Rivverrat]

 

Honestly, if you want more, I would sell the Fathom 2nd for 160, then buy the Fathom 25n LD on ebay for 180. 33lbs of drag and a 5.3:1 gear ration

Tiddlrebasher,
The most important thing at this point is smooth. I would as stated like smooth at 18 lbs. of drag.  Is this asking to much? I dont think so. The reel produces more drag than this. After speaking with two different fellas at Penn they both stated the reel could be fished at max with star turned down stupid tight & the reel would survive being fished like this. They produce all the drag I want for this class of reel I just want smoother & I feel I'm getting there     
It's not as simple right now for me as going out & purchasing 3 new reels that better fit my use. If that were possible I would not have started this thread. Instead would have in my possession a Makiara 20 & two Makiara 8's or 10's.
Selling two of my 25N's is something I've thought about. I'm going to wait as I get closer to finalizing my decision & buying new reels. If all 3 new reels are say 2  line clases above my Fathoms I will keep all 3.     

[Rivverrat]

 

Drag isn't everything and reels have a breaking point

After thinking on this for a bit I'm going to strongly disagree. Yes I agree all reels have a break point. But what I'm after here is no where near that point. However......

Starting from the assumption that the strength necessary is there for a given reel I believe the drag is most everything. Given the prerequisite for strength I can make do quite well with about any gear ratio by simply changing the way I bring a fish in. Of course I have my favorite ratios for a given situation but for my situation gear ratio most of the time is not the game changer drag can be.
A good, smooth drag is what allows me to fish reels that are smaller & lighter. A good drag on a reel that I am familiar with is what allows me to fish a line at 1/2 it's rated capacity with hand ready in a moment to drop it back while lowering my rod tip at the fish should he surge.  
I look at the length of the rod & the type of guides I use as part of the drag system that I use to beat up fish. Not having much need for rods over 8' 1/2 long.  Drag is far more than just a reels capacity to produce a high level of resistance. If a person most of the time is just going to stand in one place hanging on, with rod held at a steep angle while the fish peels line well thats all together a different thing.

Ive spent a lot of time in my past catching decent size fish on what some people would have referred to as junk gear. What I learned a ways back was if the drag was good or could be made to perform, along with good technique I had a great chance of catching decent sized cats with that reel. The performance of the drag along with technique played the biggest part in this....Jeff