The following information will assist you in the proper care of your reels star drag system.   A few simple procedures will extend the life of your friction drag washers and result in a smooth operating drag.

When fishing is over, before you stow your rod away, back off the drag.   Leave your reel in gear, hold the spool with your thumb and with a little drag pressure on, turn the handle a dozen or more times, then back off the drag completely.  This will separate the metal and friction washers and prevent them from sticking to each other.

When you arrive home, its time to clean up your gear.   Remove the reels and wash off your rods.   I use a little dawn detergent in a bucket of warm water.  With a cloth, wash and rinse the rods and dry with a towel.   Before washing your reels, tighten the drag.  This helps keep moisture out of the washers.  Then wash the salt from your reels.   Do not submerge them in the bucket.  Just wash the salt off and rinse with fresh water.  Don't use any pressure, just running water and dry off the reels.  Once again, back off the drag, reel in gear, thumb on spool, turn the handle to separate the washers and back off drag completely.   You can spray lightly with WD-40, corrosion X, or ?  Store your reels with clicker on, in free spool.

Caution - - some spray on lubricants may damage hypalon and rod grips.

Lever Drag - With lever on, rinse and dry reel Back lever off to free spool and engage clicker.   If your reel is a two speed, store with reel in low gear position.

If your lever drag reel has a graphite frame, never store or leave the drag lever engaged for long periods of time.  Constant pressure in warm conditions, may distort or stretch the frame and end plate and cause a "set" that may result in uneven drag braking.

Spinning reels - Always back off drag system before storing.

THE REEL DOCTOR

Bob Frazer

(909)  986-5709