I've finally trained myself to loosen off the drag star on my baitcasters when I'm finished fishing for the day. Should I do the same with my spinning gear?

I've finally trained myself to loosen off the drag star on my baitcasters when I'm finished fishing for the day. Should I do the same with my spinning gear?

yes you should.

I do it with my big baitfeeder spinning reels I use for blue cats. I don't see how it could be anything but good for them. My spinning gear for bass never gets a break. I fish all winter long and they get used even more in the winter when I'm using smaller baits and slower retrieves.

I have heard both sides of the arguement for loosening the drag, some "experts" say it makes a difference others say it doesn't.  Loosening is such an easy thing after my rinse down I just do it our of habit.

i also do it out of habit.

Yes. Especially if there are felt pads as part of the drag stack.

I ALWAYS DO.

i also do it out of habit.

me too

I loosen my spinning drags when I remember, but when I forget there don't seem to be any consequences.

Never heard of this practice. Please enlighten me.

Drag washers compress over time. Loosing the drag will increase

its useful life.

I do it for winter, not in between trips in the summer.

I used to not do this.  I noticed each time I took apart my reels for cleaning and relubing that I literally had to scrape and peel the drag washers off the main gear of my baitcasters. 

Now I do it religiously for two reasons.  First, it will extend the useful life of my reel's drag washers.  Second and probably the most important, it will help prevent a sticky drag that might cost me a good fish one of these days.  If the drag is compressed and stuck on so that it won't slip easily when needed then you may as well not have a drag.

Wow, I never even thought of doing this before. I guess I will do it from now on.

I do it for winter, not in between trips in the summer.

I've started doing it after each trip. However, I haven't quite trained myself to remember to tighten it back up every time. I usually get a little laugh at myself when I set the hook on a loose one.

Better safe than sorry.

I only loosen them for long term storage or service. Since I'm a "thumber," I run them pretty loose anyway, never more than 4-5 lbs. of resistance, unless its a heavy cover reel.

Definitely loosen for long term storage. I think it's most important on bait casters to let the pressure off the spring washers but not a bad idea for spinning reels as well. I'd loosen between trips if you're one to crank a drag down tight.

I only loosen them for long term storage or service. Since I'm a "thumber," I run them pretty loose anyway, never more than 4-5 lbs. of resistance, unless its a heavy cover reel.

X2 on everything John said. I'd never heard of anyone else using the thumb method, lol. I had an older Johnny morris  years ago with a weak drag, lets just say I used my thumb alot to stop a fish when needed.

I loosen the drag on all of my reels after every outing. Been doing it for so long, it's pretty much automatic. I don't know if it helps or not, but it can't hurt.

Tom

@lightsout - nice truck!

Yes. Especially if there are felt pads as part of the drag stack.

I loosen mine periodically in the summer and for storage in the winter, now, if I could just remember to tighten them next time out..... ;D