I just bought a new small spin reel... and guess what? It comes with a carbon drag out of the box and no, it's not a super premium mega-bucks model.
My new reel is an ABU Soron STX20. And what a refreshing change to not have to upgrade the drag... just a coat of Cal's Drag Grease and it's ready to roll. ABUs traditional baitcasters now seem to all come with carbon drags standard. At least one company making small reels is listening.
Maybe the Shimano and Daiwa types will start to get the message too?
Cheers, BigT
here's a prediction for you. if we are looking for the first major manufacturer to commit to greased carbon fiber drag washers in all of their reels, i believe that the first company will be okuma.........