I was reading through my Texas Fish and Game magazine and there was a section in there on maintaining your reel.  What was said was to release all the pressure on your drag when storing your reels for a given time period.  It will make your drag system last alot longer.  I didnt know this so i thought I would pass the info.  No charge guys. this one was free

I have heard this before. I have never done it. How important is it? What effect does it have on the drag to be left tight?  :-/

The two washers, that act as springs, and look like this (), can get compressed. You'll end up with a drag with little or no adjustment range.

I back off my drags after every trip. You'll get an added benefit. You have to set and test your drag every time out. I used to forget to do this. Now I don't.

Cheers,

GK

I always store the reels with the drags completely relieved of pressure. Any reel I sell goes out like that to the customer.  Some have become confused and thought there was something wrong with the reel because the spool didn't turn when they turned the handle. When I told them what was up they also didn't realize that about the drag setting when a reel is stored.

OK, thanks, guys. Is it necessary for say overnight? If I'm in a tounament situation, that's another thing on an already long list of preparing for the next day. Basically, what is an acceptable length of time to leave the washers compressed?

Not only the metallic washers flatten out, the pads loose thickness.

Overnight it won 't happen anything to your reels, for an extended period of time it will.

ghoti,

Got it right. The 2 drag spring washers get compressed. But the big deal is the main drag stack. Whether or not it is a multi stack or single pad stack, the pads will compress. When this compression starts you cannot get the minimal drag setting that you look for on fresh pads, plus the drags will get jerky.

hi_steel_basser,

Basically, what is an acceptable length of time to leave the washers compressed?

If your in a 2, 3, or 4 day tourney, leaving the drags set for that period I wouldn't worry. But when your done, and if you have a say couple of weeks in between tourneys, I would back them off. Definitely back them off for winter storage.

Tight Lines!!

I back mine off during the winter. During the season, april-nov. up here, i usually leave them set if I am going to use them, if they sit for more than a week or two I back them off.

I do this even if it is only for a week at a time. It is one of those things that become a good habit, like not slamming your bail on a spinning reel but, closing it with your hand. These are both very good habits to abide by.

I do the same thing every off season. turn them all down.

just like you would with a bow.

After hunting season I turn my limbs down till next season.

I didn't know either.  Good tip, thanks for sharing.