Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => General Questions and Trouble Shooting => Topic started by: Gfish on December 04, 2018, 09:55:09 PM

Title: Storage Drag Tension?
Post by: Gfish on December 04, 2018, 09:55:09 PM
How much drag tension can be left on star-drag conventionals and baitcasters during temporary and longer-term storage without compression damage to carbon fiber washers(ht-100, c-tex, smooth drag)?

Reason I ask is, some of my builds have a-lot of the various drag components crammed in there for better function and a fully opened star still leaves me with 2-5 ozs. of drag. I try to limit sanding the drag sleeve down, cause I don't think I can get the surface nice and even doin it by hand, plus the star's gotta have clearence when torqued towards lockdown(you know, those Penn head-plate spool bushings).

Am I overthinking this?

I am a cheapskate and would like to avoid havin to buy new washers if possible.
Title: Re: Storage Drag Tension?
Post by: Ron Jones on December 04, 2018, 10:08:04 PM
Your fine.
Carbon fiber / glass laminates are not going to be smashed by a couple ounces, and your not going to displace the grease either.

The Man
Title: Re: Storage Drag Tension?
Post by: Reel 224 on December 04, 2018, 10:28:14 PM
I personalty leave my star drags and for that matter all me reels backed off for the winter season.............................Joe
Title: Re: Storage Drag Tension?
Post by: Fishy247 on December 05, 2018, 12:48:25 AM
QuoteI personalty leave my star drags and for that matter all me reels backed off for the winter season.............................Joe

X2
Except that I try to do it after every trip because I have, in the past, forgotten about one of my reels and found it the following year with a locked up drag...

Mike
Title: Re: Storage Drag Tension?
Post by: Tiddlerbasher on December 05, 2018, 02:54:08 AM
x3
Title: Re: Storage Drag Tension?
Post by: Midway Tommy on December 05, 2018, 04:07:27 AM
I'm with Mike but I leave just enough tension so that the knob doesn't come loose & fall off.
Title: Re: Storage Drag Tension?
Post by: mo65 on December 05, 2018, 02:16:07 PM
   I have a terrible time remembering to back off the drags after fishing. Then...on the rare occasion I do remember to back it off...I forget to tighten it down on the next fishing trip. Nothing more embarrassing than setting the hook on a topwater frog and nearly upsetting the boat. :-[
Title: Re: Storage Drag Tension?
Post by: Decker on December 05, 2018, 02:45:47 PM
Quote from: mo65 on December 05, 2018, 02:16:07 PM
   I have a terrible time remembering to back off the drags after fishing. Then...on the rare occasion I do remember to back it off...I forget to tighten it down on the next fishing trip. Nothing more embarrassing than setting the hook on a topwater frog and nearly upsetting the boat. :-[

LOL.  Let's examine the physics of that situation, Mo... ;D
Title: Re: Storage Drag Tension?
Post by: Cor on December 05, 2018, 03:02:13 PM
Quote from: mo65 on December 05, 2018, 02:16:07 PM
   I have a terrible time remembering to back off the drags after fishing. Then...on the rare occasion I do remember to back it off...I forget to tighten it down on the next fishing trip. Nothing more embarrassing than setting the hook on a topwater frog and nearly upsetting the boat. :-[
Sounds like the two of us need to go and visit a doctor of sorts! :'( :'(

I often forget my drag set tight, that means at maximum for a number of days or weeks.   I've never noticed a problem, but then I don't need sensitive drag settings.     I usually fish with it at maximum!
Title: Re: Storage Drag Tension?
Post by: Benni3 on December 05, 2018, 04:29:41 PM
Last cast of the day >:( hung up ??? It's time to go anyway,,,,but sometimes I forget to back off the drag :-[  but it's really funny when I hook the first fish  ;D
Title: Re: Storage Drag Tension?
Post by: Midway Tommy on December 05, 2018, 05:02:33 PM
Quote from: mo65 on December 05, 2018, 02:16:07 PM
   I have a terrible time remembering to back off the drags after fishing. Then...on the rare occasion I do remember to back it off...I forget to tighten it down on the next fishing trip. Nothing more embarrassing than setting the hook on a topwater frog and nearly upsetting the boat. :-[

If that's the case make sure you have your life jacket on, Mike!  ;D
Title: Re: Storage Drag Tension?
Post by: boon on December 08, 2018, 09:55:10 PM
I leave my star drag reels at fishing pressure all the time. Just got to get out and use them more if you're worried :)
Lever drags I'll back off to just above freespool and engage the clicker to hold the spool, but that's because it only takes a second and I don't have to worry about resetting the drag next time I'm fishing.
Title: Re: Storage Drag Tension?
Post by: alantani on December 10, 2018, 03:15:45 PM
If you have greased carbon fiber drags,  you can leave them button down forever.
Title: Re: Storage Drag Tension?
Post by: Benni3 on December 11, 2018, 01:23:16 AM
Quote from: alantani on December 10, 2018, 03:15:45 PM
If you have greased carbon fiber drags,  you can leave them button down forever.
question ?,,,,calls 2 speed grease,,,,I should use that on my pflueger patriarch,,,torques 5,,706,,,,stuff I use every day  ;D
Title: Re: Storage Drag Tension?
Post by: Fishy247 on December 12, 2018, 12:24:55 AM
QuoteIf you have greased carbon fiber drags,  you can leave them button down forever.

It wasn't until I read this thread that I realized that I hadn't had my previously mentioned issue since I started greasing my drags with Cal's....