Is one better than the other in terms of performance or is it just a convenience thing?

I have no idea about the performance but it's an aesthetics thing for me.

It's my understanding that the drag washers are typically larger on a front-drag reel. 

Assuming you are talking about spinning reels... I believe front drag systems allow for larger drag discs than rear drag systems.

steve

In many cases they are the same size.  And rear drag systems use more washer than most front drags.  Many guys I know prefer a rear drag simply for the quick change spool feature.

I use front drag reels. its just what I'm used to and the reels I use aren't offered in rear drag anyway.

A front drag allows for larger disks and oftena higher stack. It is also more direct being on the spool as opposed to the far end of the drive shaft. All in all the front drag is a more efficient design.

A front drag allows for larger disks and oftena higher stack.

But on what reels is this actually true?  For example, look at the Shimano Symtre.  There are actually more washers on the rear drag, and they are the same size.

I mean it SHOULD work that way, but that isn't what I find being made.

A front drag allows for larger disks and oftena higher stack.

But on what reels is this actually true? For example, look at the Shimano Symtre. There are actually more washers on the rear drag, and they are the same size.

I mean it SHOULD work that way, but that isn't what I find being made.

J I have to agree with you when you compare reels of the same line or equal quality. The fist thing that popped into my head thinking about rear drag was some cheapo's I'd had in recently. 

Some rear drag Shimano reels have an extra feature: fighting drag lever, it automatically increses or reduces by 50% the set drag pressure just by moving the lever one side or the other, no need to try to reduce or increase by tightening or loosening the drag in the midldle of the fight.

Front drag reels that come with an extra spool also give you an extra set of drag washers by default.  That would be one advantage for sure.

Front drag reels that come with an extra spool also give you an extra set of drag washers by default. That would be one advantage for sure.

Whoa!!! Hold up there Rooster.

You might want to specify which reels you have that came that way. I've got several Shimano Symetere's a Sahara & more than a few Okuma bait runners and tho they all came with extra spools none came with extra drag washers. They were all NIB.

Just didn't want anybody to get misled.

Front drag reels that come with an extra spool also give you an extra set of drag washers by default. That would be one advantage for sure.

Whoa!!! Hold up there Rooster.

You might want to specify which reels you have that came that way. I've got several Shimano Symetere's a Sahara & more than a few Okuma bait runners and tho they all came with extra spools none came with extra drag washers. They were all NIB.

Just didn't want anybody to get misled.

There's nothing to quantify:

Since a front drag spinner has the washers contained in the spool assembly, by default, you get extra washers, if you get an extra spool. Spools on a rear drag reel have no washers (its a rear drag....) and therefore you get no extras.

Oopps!! 

Mia Culpa. I stand corrected.

(note to self... Don't post late at nite)

Merry Christmas All

For me it is front drag because I can take them apart completely and clean everything if I so choose.  Not so for the rear drags.  I have never been comfortable trying to disassemble those so I have given all of them away.

Front drags are the way to go. JMHO

For me it is front drag because I can take them apart completely and clean everything if I so choose. Not so for the rear drags. I have never been comfortable trying to disassemble those so I have given all of them away.

They are horrible.  Plus, you have to calibrate the "fighting drag" if the reel as one.

I find that I rarely have to adjust the drag while I'm fishing. I don't believe a "fighting drag" would improve my fishing experience in any way.