Some say they feel the PQ'r drag is not as smooth as they would like ... Is it possible to upgrade the drag set with a 3rd party / aftermarket drag set ? If so , what are your recommendations ?

Do you actually own a PQ? Or are you planning on getting one and already looking into a 3rd party drag option?

 

I own 7 pro qualifiers and personally never had a problem with the drag. In fact, they are pretty smooth compared to other popular reels ive tried.

I just got one of my PQ's back from Mike @ Delware Valley Tackle.  He cleaned, tuned, and upgraded the drag.  I didn't gain any noticeable distance (I'd already cleaned it when new, but the reel's smoothness is greatly improved.  Money well spent.

I own a PQ'r ... Not rushing out to get a new drag set just curious if available and if a noted improvement .

Good to know Mike @ Deleware can keep a PQ'r running good for a long time !

The tackle tour review for the BPS Pro Qualifier says the drag is terrible. I don't know if that is actually true though, as tackle tour is sponsored by Tackle Warehouse so there reviews are probably biased against in-house tackle.

Some say they feel the PQ'r drag is not as smooth as they would like ... Is it possible to upgrade the drag set with a 3rd party / aftermarket drag set ? If so , what are your recommendations ?

 

Carbontex drag washers are available for the PQ.  Call Dawn at SmoothDrag and she can fix you up. The PQ uses the same drag washer set as the 1st gen Revo S.

 

The tackle tour review for the BPS Pro Qualifier says the drag is terrible. I don't know if that is actually true though, as tackle tour is sponsored by Tackle Warehouse so there reviews are probably biased against in-house tackle.

 

TT has a nifty machine that they use to test drags and one of the metrics they record is the variance between start-up force and the steady state force (or whatever terms they use) at various drag settings. If the variance is significant, the drag might be labeled "lumpy" or "stuttering".  When they see that variance exceed a certain percentage, the TT guys will wail and moan and declare the drag unusable.  And, if one was using 4lb test line on a PQ, that variance might indeed be enough to cause break-offs due to that stuttering drag.

 

Meanwhile, out of the laboratory and in the real world, most people are running 10 to 20 pound nylon/flouro/hybrid or 30-50lb braid, and a little stutter at start up is not going to be a problem. AND, most of the times you probably can have your drag set at only 3-4 pounds and a 10% start-up variance only equals .3 or .4lbs - not a big deal at all.

 

Me, I perform the impossible on a regular basis. TT gave a failing mark to the PQ drag...but I catch fish like this, on 10-pound test line, and don't seem to have a problem with drag performance....

 

 

The two piece Revo kit from Smooth drag fits the PQ. It's a definite upgrade and only $8. The stock drag is the least impressive component of this reel but it is usable.

The drag is all herky jerky.  It's not a sticky drag that locks up, just that is isn't smooth.  Not a big deal on a baitcasting reel when we're talking about using #14 monos and #30+ braids.  . 

The two piece Revo kit from Smooth drag fits the PQ. It's a definite upgrade and only $8. The stock drag is the least impressive component of this reel but it is usable.

Great info Goose52 & Mike (I presume) @ Deleware Tackle ! ... $8.00 for an improved drag set is a fair value & improvement !