kayaks and lever drags?? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

grey zone · 01-14-2013, 02:42 PM

The lever drag reels are great for slow trolling mackeral. The clickers on most reels are not strong enough to hold a strong mackeral. With a lever drag you can troll with a light drag setting that is enough to keep the bait from taking line from the reel.

For bottom fishing both lever and star drags work fine. I have two Avet JXs and one is a two speed. I do not use the low gear very much but the 6:1 gear ratio on both is great in terms of alot less cranking of the handle to get gear back to the surface. My Avets have been very durable reels and have the best free spool I have ever seen. Bottom fishing with heavy sinkers took a toll on my Toriums antireverse bearing so I would recommend using a star drag reel that has a dog gear.

I do not like lever drag reels for jig casting but thats just me.

TJones · 01-14-2013, 03:11 PM

I was surprised it so long for someone to mention.

dmrides · 01-14-2013, 04:15 PM

I used a TLD 15 for a long time for trolling macs. The drag is buttery smooth, and it was easy to set the drag just enough that the Mac didn't pull out line while paddling, but light enough not to hinder a fast strike.
Once I got my hobie, I found I prefer to hold the rod while trolling most of the time, so I sold it to try to limit my growing rod and reel collection. In hindsight I probably should have kept it. It was a great reel.

01-14-2013, 03:11 PM	#2
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,526	You nailed it I was surprised it so long for someone to mention.

01-14-2013, 02:42 PM	#1
grey zone Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: san diego Posts: 158	The lever drag reels are great for slow trolling mackeral. The clickers on most reels are not strong enough to hold a strong mackeral. With a lever drag you can troll with a light drag setting that is enough to keep the bait from taking line from the reel. For bottom fishing both lever and star drags work fine. I have two Avet JXs and one is a two speed. I do not use the low gear very much but the 6:1 gear ratio on both is great in terms of alot less cranking of the handle to get gear back to the surface. My Avets have been very durable reels and have the best free spool I have ever seen. Bottom fishing with heavy sinkers took a toll on my Toriums antireverse bearing so I would recommend using a star drag reel that has a dog gear. I do not like lever drag reels for jig casting but thats just me.

01-14-2013, 04:15 PM	#3
dmrides Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Point Loma Posts: 584	I used a TLD 15 for a long time for trolling macs. The drag is buttery smooth, and it was easy to set the drag just enough that the Mac didn't pull out line while paddling, but light enough not to hinder a fast strike. Once I got my hobie, I found I prefer to hold the rod while trolling most of the time, so I sold it to try to limit my growing rod and reel collection. In hindsight I probably should have kept it. It was a great reel.