what a drag!

[Thunderbird]

Was just wondering weather or not anyonelse backs the drag off when storing their reels between trips?
Have a couple of leverdrag reels and have found that if the drag is left up tight between trips, the line has to be pulled off the reel the first couple of drops the next time out.(brothers 6/0 penn is the worst for doing this)

The rods and reels are always washed down in soapy water and sprayed with tackleguard after every trip.

Maybe i just need to use them more

[Maria]

Yeah - back it off, as it realeases the tension on your drag and it will last longer too. Same with a weapon - you don't store a rifle cocked/armed, otherwise the constant pressure on the spring behind the firing mechanism will cause it to die rather quickly...maybe when you need it the most.

Ben

[caloundra]

i tighten them right up when i wash them
and then loosen them off for storage
read it somewhere and it works for me

Daniel

[Sportfish_5]

I definitely keep the drags backed off and store in freespool

Cheers

Greg

[opimax]

yeh mate back them off, i only wash mine in fresh water, no soap you can kill them with kindness. after they are dry(wipe them dry) . i spray mine with silicone spray & back off & ingage ratchet. to this date no probs. lee

[Lucky_Phill]

All the right advice there boys !

One more bit. I know the cost is around the $30, but a good service from a competent reel " mechanic " is worth the dollars.

Mark, you don't want that 6/0 jaming up on a 25kg AJ off DI ? now do you ?

worse a 12kg Red

Then again, if you are the confident type, and ahve the " exploded view " of the reel, you may like to have a go yourself ?

Cheers Phill

* Lucky_Phill accepts no responsibility for reel stuff ups !

[jeffo]

i go to sunset to wash reels... or when travelling in the boat, store in freespool.

[Needmorerum]

Well looks like I have been doing things wrong, I only ever hose my reels down when I get back, I don't back the drag off or use soapy water or anything.
What I do do, is every 6-8 weeks is strip the reels down and clean out all the old grease and oil and re-assemble with new grease and oil. Gotta be carefull how much grease and oil you use, you can make it worse by using to much.
I have always figured that a drag washer can handle having pressure on it as it is when the spool is firing that when the damage is done. I haven't had any problems so far and one of the reels that I have (ABU 6500c) is nearly 20 years old. I actually replaced the drag washers the other day before the Hook Up and had to find them in the bitsa box as they were unable to be ordered anymore. These washer have lasted nearly 2 years, not sure how long they should last but I use this reel not only for the estuaries but for palagics (spelling) as well. It has had quite a work out in the last 12 months since the new boat arrived.

Corry