I have a Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier 2 baitcasting reel that I use a lot. Well, it seems that the drag doesn't get as tight as I think it should. With it tightened as much as I can with my fingers, it still allows 10 pound Big Game to unspool with relative ease. I'll guess 5 pounds of pulling force.

 

Okay, so I know it doesn't lock down, and I know it won't have a huge amount of pulling force, it just seems weak to me.

 

I haven't oiled them, and I don't oil the reel enough to think that oil migrated to the washers.

 

When I break down the reel for cleaning and relube I'm thinking it'd be a pretty good upgrade to replace the drag washers.

 

Suggestions.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115263654312

 

the right drag washers - good vendor

Thanks Bulldog.

That listing said indicates that the washers are to be greased. My understanding is that with carbon drag washers, no greasing is required unless for hard/long pulling fish.

I occasionally catch other species at the river, I have caught carp and gar, each weighing 10-15 pounds with about a 3-5 minute fight. Would I be better served by greasing the drag considering this? Or is that not sufficient to warrant it?

Proper use of drag grease is basically to remove everything you put on - the thinnest possible residue film is all you need.  

The most important places to get the grease are the I.D. and O.D. edges of the drag washer thickness, where the mainshaft and gear recess contact them.  

Handy photo of carbontex

 

Drag washer composition that should be run dry w/o grease is red or blue corundum, like this red Daiwa washer (came out of the reel covered in oil, and I dried it using alcohol soak).  

 

^^Agreed^^

 

I use a VERY small amount of Cals drag grease on all my carbon drags, but as @bulldog1935 said,.... A VERY minimal amount.

 

I put a dab on the pads of my index finger and thumb and rub them together then tamp them on the drag to apply a very small film of grease. I just believe it aids in smoother startups without lowering the drag strength significantly.

 

I don't run my drags cranked down fully anyway.