Issues with reel drag
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Soft Bait Fishing
Forum Description: Anything to do with this latest and greatest way of catching our favourite species
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=138195
Printed Date: 25 Mar 2025 at 2:53am
Topic: Issues with reel drag
Posted By: Scamp125
Subject: Issues with reel drag
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2024 at 9:58pm
| Hey I recently brought a new Diawa Revros LT 4000-C, I've noticed when i pull drag its really bumpy and its nothing to do with the mechanism its something to do with the line rubbing or something. The line is XJ4 diawa braid which is pre spooled from factory, I am new to fishing and wondering if anyone has any tips to make the drag smoother. Could I use Xj8 Braid? or should I switch out the washers? |
Replies:
Posted By: Crochet Cast
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2024 at 10:51pm
| It is more likely to be the drag washers than the line. |
Posted By: lawabidingpoacher
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2024 at 6:54am
| If it's nearly new , take it back to shop |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2024 at 8:08am
|
The first thing to do is to open the bail arm and pull out 10 or 20m of line and wind it in with just light pressure on the line. Then try the drag again. If the line was put on under too much drag pressure when the reel was spooled the line could well be digging in to itself.
How much drag are you using? On a reel that size you would probably only need 2 to 4kg of drag. If you don't know how to measure that then let us know. ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: Scamp125
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2024 at 10:39am
| @Crochet Cast, Does that mean they came bad from factory? Because the reel is brand new only had 1 session. |
Posted By: Scamp125
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2024 at 10:42am
| @smudge , I'll try that now. I think the line may be digging into itself as when I pull drag the line that comes off the spool looks like its getting caught on the other line on the spool. Also yeah I don't know how to measure drag haha. |
Posted By: Crochet Cast
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2024 at 3:48pm
|
I think Smudge has a good point try his idea first. I have had issues with the Diawa drag washers mainly the felt ones being sticky before as well. I replace them now with Carbonex ones on the mid to low end reels as a matter of course. If it’s a new reel take it back. |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2024 at 12:31pm
|
Did you sort this out Scamp? The easiest way to measure drag is using a known quantity of water such as a 2 litre milk bottle filled with water. That is 2kg. Tie your line to the bottle - make sure the rod is sturdy enough to lift it. If the line starts to pull off the drag just as the bottle starts to lift off then your drag is at 2kg or thereabouts. Use a light bucket with a measured quantity of water 1kg = one litre. You will only need 4kg drag at the most. Be very careful about loading a light rod up that much though!
------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: Scamp125
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2024 at 7:49pm
| It definitely helped but the issue is still there, I haven't returned it because someone told me it was a normal thing with that model of reel. I've also noticed a a small bump in the spooling like at the bottom of the spool there is less line and at the top there is more but midway through the spool it is normal, I have no idea if this is normal for spinning reels but hopefully it doesn't affect it too much. Do you reckon I should just send it back as well? I've been holding that option off because I would have to mail it back as I bought it online from Land and Sea. |
Posted By: krow
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2024 at 8:45pm
| That to me is pointing to the line not being wound on the spool with load and is loose. Possibly the braid is digging in on the loose line causing it to feel jerky or bumpy. Try Taking it all off and winding back on with some load. The drag should be smooth and consistent. |
Posted By: muchalls
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2024 at 8:29pm
|
My thoughts? Firs do check the braid is tightly wound with no ‘give’ when you pinch it on the spool. If it is the drag, a proper service is highly recommended in my personal opinion…. I had a Tica baitcaster, Okuma 6-10 lb rod with a Shimano Colt Sniper 28g jig. Having had a jerky sticky line busting drag properly serviced with a buttery smooth drag, preset to about 1.5 kg,I went fushing. Hooked a big Snapper, a really big one, bending the rod to the reel seat. Eventually landed, close to 20 lb. Advertising comment ahead…. Reel drag serviced by reelrepairguy aka swordfish steve, now relocated to the beautiful Bay of Islands…..top man!  |