Baitcaster Drags

[RuddyDuck]

I know your suppose to loosen your drags over the winter as not to crush the drag washer, but I was wondering during the season if you guys loosen them a bit between fishing trips? I usually do, but sometimes I forget to tighten them up and am scrambling to tighten it when I get that first fish of the day!

[JP Z]

I never do.........probably should take better care of my reels to be honest........I haven't had issues leaving them between trips though.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I loosen the drags on most my baitcasters between trips, Ill occasionally forget to tighten them but overtime it just becomes routine to pick up my rod and tighten the drag. Also, several of my reels have covers so at the start of the day I take the covers off and tighten the drags and at the end I loosen the drag and put the cover on.

[MuskieFever]

I loosen them after every outing. Drag systems are steel washers and ceramic washers. If kept at a full drag all season it most likely will wear your washers faster. I've used buddies reels that never loosen and their drag isn't as smooth as mine.

[RuddyDuck]

Thanks for the input. I'm gonna keep backin them off between trips, but I think I will start making it a habit of tightening them up as I load up the boat for a night of fishing. If I tighten them while I fish, I usually forget a pole or two.

Happened again the other night. First pole, no problem, tighten the drag as I start. 10 minutes later after no bites, I quick grab the jig pole. Bang, I get my first nice hit after a few casts, set the hook and say 'oh sh@t', forgot the drag again!! Quick tighten it, try a weak second hookset, but as Mr.Bass gets near boat, makes a jump and is off! Oh well, sometimes it takes me a while to learn things.