Is Drag Necessary On A Baitcaster?

[Smallie_Stalker]

KastKing is coming out with a new baitcaster that has no drag star! The reel is set up as if the drag is locked down tight. I saw a video a couple days ago by pro Cliff Crochett talking about it. He says there is no longer a need for drag on a casting reel because most people lock their drags down all the way. If you need to you can disengage the spool and use your thumb to control the pressure on the fish.

Personally I disagree with part of that statement. I do lock the drag on my pitching/flipping/punching reels, but other than that I set it based on a number of criteria. There ARE times when I click the thumbar and use my thumb for control, but that is mostly if the fish is making a hard run when it is close.

Also, given the steady rise in BFS baitcasting I believe having a drag that you can set is an absolute necessity for this approach.


So a couple of quick questions:

Do you lock the drag down on all your reels? Or do you set your drag per situation and maybe sometimes use your thumb for control?

As for this reel and the thinking behind it - Thoughts? Opinions?

I'd like to hear what you all think. 

[coldfront]

once again i depart from the typical... don't lock down my drag. ever.  it's about using it.

set it just tight enough that it barely gives on my 'best' hookset.  then add thumb pressure.

those guys 'clicking in and out' when the fish is near the boat drive me frickin' nuts.  sorry, but seems about one OF THE stupidest things I see 'pros' doing.

modern reels, drag/equipment?  they work GREAT.  but there's just so much 'old wive's tales' to our sport...

[Capt. BassinLou]

I only lock down my drag in two situations. Frogging, flipping and punching. With everything else I utilize my drag in one way or another.

[big g]

When bank fishing I always lock down the drag because I have to bring fish through at least 10 yards of heavy pads and weeds.  If you don't get there head up fast, you lose them.  I surf them over the weeds.

[D.W. Verts]

I do the "stupidist thing". Have for years.

Dale

[coldfront]

I do the "stupidist thing". Have for years.

Dale

no one's saying you're not as young and dumb as I am... 

[mygreenihc]

When I was young,  my first baitcaster,  and only one for several years, was an ambassador 5000c and id did not have a drag at all.  I learned to put pressure on the spool at hookset and use my thumb as a drag.  It worked great for bass,  but for Spanish mackeral,  it was a little hard on the thumb....

I do not tighten my drags down.  They are tight enough in most cases that 2 pound fish are not able to pull it,  but for bigger fish it will give.  The exception to that is my crankbait rod.  I leave it moderately tight wanting it to give before pulling the trebles loose.

Brad

[Donald Garner]

I lock mine down tight on all my flippin and pitchin reels.  My other reels I have them moderately tight. 

[apenland01]

All my baitcasters have some drag set to account for various line strength...

[Pferox]

I set my drags too.

[Bud Kennedy]

Well, the good new is......You don't have to use the drag if you don't want it.  No Problem.  I like to use drag and do vary the settings but I would not buy a reel without it.

[fishballer06]

Obviously this reel is not designed for crankbait/treble hook fishing. So if you're going to buy a reel designed as such, don't use it for such.

Secondly, I hope people who buy this reel know that they're going to be replacing drag washers all the time because they will wear out quicker being under constant lock like that.

[1ReelFanatik]

"He says there is no longer a need for drag on a casting reel because most people lock their drags down all the way."

I'm calling bull.

[Oldfart9999]

"He says there is no longer a need for drag on a casting reel because most people lock their drags down all the way."

I'm calling bull.

Me too, I don't flip much, clear water so I pitch, with heavy cover it's all drag and PULL!!! Otherwise I let the fish run a bit, helps the line not break.
Rodney

[chrisD46]

*It only matters when you need it !  Lighter lines for crank baits & jerk baits I say yes ... For Frog'n & Flip'n using heavy braid & FC line ,  I say no as most lock that drag down with heavy lines .

[coldfront]

one last discussion point:  in every system there is a weak point.  in this case... it could be line, knot, hook, reel, fish mouth...
at some point, something has to give.  always figured I'd allow the part that is designed to 'give' do it's thing...

[apenland01]

Just realized the date the supposed video would have been made....

Likely April Fool's joke, no way any company would make a reel without drag.....

[Smallie_Stalker]

Just realized the date the supposed video would have been made....

Likely April Fool's joke, no way any company would make a reel without drag.....

I thought that at first myself but they are available now for pre-order on Tackle Warehouse for $119.99.

Called the Deadbolt.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/KastKing_Speed_Demon_Elite_Deadbolt_Casting_Reels/descpage-KKSDB.html


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[Pipepro]

I think the one you linked shows 18lbs carbon fiber drag and draco star adjustment?

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[Smallie_Stalker]

I think the one you linked shows 18lbs carbon fiber drag and draco star adjustment?

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

If you look on a PC (larger images) at the 2nd pic which is the view from above you can see that there is no star drag. What appears to be a star in the side image is just the plastic spacer plate between the handle and the reel body. It is one piece and doesn't move.
The description does indeed say 18 pounds of carbon fiber drag but it is preset at the factory and can't be adjusted by the angler, hence their use of the term "locked down".

[Pipepro]

You are correct sir. I found this article on the Kastking blog. Interesting for sure.

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[FD]

I use drag only for treble hook baits.

In most of the places I fish, if you don't turn them on the hookset, you might as well go play golf, cause you're not getting them to the boat anyway....

Sent from the very edge of civilization...where I belong

[Pferox]

one last discussion point:  in every system there is a weak point.  in this case... it could be line, knot, hook, reel, fish mouth...
at some point, something has to give.  always figured I'd allow the part that is designed to 'give' do it's thing...

I agree with this whole heartedly.

[fishingram24]

Many years ago one of my favorite reel was an Ambassador 5000 D with the
D standing for direct drive. You had to release the handle and it would turn backwards for any drag at all. Most of my reels today have the drag set tight but not locked down since I fish a tidal river marsh and, like yesterday, I may catch a redfish or several other species of salty fish while bass fishing and trust me a 4-5 pound red will strip  line quickly. 

[Espresso_Junky247]

Maybe that particular company can't design/utilize a quality drag so they just lock it in... I have been using baitcasters going on 40 yrs and have always relied on 2 things that give me total control... one being a drag that is never locked down to a max setting and second is line stretch. Personally I'll only own Daiwa and maybe Shimano as a close 2nd. No others have ever been close!