Lever drag vs Star Drag - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

FARRIER · 07-12-2015, 09:22 AM

How did you lose those 3 fish? Before you start blaming your gear I would test your terminal connections. That being said what did you lose them on. I had some good lessons from a friend who made me test my knots with actual weight. He filled a bucket with 25 pounds of weights and had me tie knots to a collection ring. I learned the problem was not my gear. Did you have clean breaks of your line or curly ques at the end or did they just come unbuttoned? You may need to beef up your knot arsenal before you start dropping coin.

Gunner58 · 07-12-2015, 09:35 AM

One just pulled the hook, one broke clean just above the hook (possible toothy critter) and one line broke by my uni to uni knot. I was using 30lb floro attached to 50lb braid. But that is a great idea with testing knots. I will start doing that

Mahigeer · 07-12-2015, 10:50 AM

Looks like your problem is more with the rig than the reel.

Some reels, like Avet, do not allow for you to readjust your drag, unless it is in free spool.

In another word, the range of the level drag setting cannot be done without going to free spool.

If your level is in maximum drag setting and fish still is taking line and you need to increase the drag. You must first go to free spool and adjust drag with a small knob. Then your level will have different drag setting.

Kind of hard to explain on line.

FlyFishinYakr · 07-12-2015, 11:13 AM

Rather than assuming you need to upgrade your gear, here's something anglers sometimes forget.
How old is your gear, when was the last time the drag washers were serviced? Is your drag smooth or jerky?
How old is your line (if using mono), or top-shot? What kind of knots are you using (if you're consistently breaking off at the connections)? Do you check your line/top-shot after catching/hooking a fish (did it take you into the kelp)? If there's one thing I learned from my time at a tackle shop (Art's Tackle in Gardena) or on the boats was to check or change my line often (and buy bulk spools). At least every 5-6 trips or once a month I would change my line (mono).
Lastly (and this is just my opinion) maybe you should upsize your gear a little? I generally fish 40# for

over 15-20# and when fishing around pesky dogs, kelp, pinnacles and if I'm fishing for food. I will fish 25-30# if the avg.

are under 15# and if for sport.
Something to contemplate before you start shelling out some coin to upgrade [unless you need an excuse to tell "the significant other" why you have to buy some new gear, in which case newer gear has better tech!

].
FFY

Gunner58 · 07-12-2015, 11:26 AM

Well to be honest it's a little of both. Reels are old so that could be part of the problem. I have two Abu 5500 that have been serviced not to long ago. I love those but prob not enough umph to handle those yellows. And I really do need to change out the line. It's about 1 year old so there are some other factors. But most of my bigger gear is about 10 or so years old so I think it's time to upgrade

parkermann · 07-12-2015, 12:03 PM

Check out some okuma reels. They now make some top of the line stuff. And they have a good amount a reels that are decently priced. The okuma Cedros and Cortez are great star drag reels and metaloid and andros are great lever drag.

And if you or someone you know is a first responder(cop, fireman, military, emt, ect) the okuma warehouse in Ontario gives you a 40% discount. My brother is a cop so he has been getting okuma gear at great prices

Gunner58 · 07-12-2015, 12:19 PM

Ya I am military so that would be great. Do you just call them direct?

HobieScot · 07-12-2015, 02:07 PM

It does sound like you may be experiencing multiple problems as mentioned above. I would check your connections first then your drag second. Make sure the connections are not failing and that your drag is smooth and not grabbing as it lets line is out. Easy to tell as it will be jerky when a fish pulls line.

If you check both and determine you need to upgrade your gear I have nothing but great things to say about the gear I have been using.

I have been fishing strictly Diawa for inshore and Avet for offshore for years. I swear by my Avets. I have not had one let me down or not be able to stop a fish yet.

With that being said on my last trip to Mexico I had a chance to try out a small Okuma lever drag (wish I knew which model it was) and I must say I was extremely impressed. The next time I want a new set up I will be looking into the Okumas.

parkermann · 07-12-2015, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunner58

Ya I am military so that would be great. Do you just call them direct?

Call them to confirm the days but I think it's every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 1-4.

Silbaugh4liberty · 07-12-2015, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkermann

Check out some okuma reels. They now make some top of the line stuff. And they have a good amount a reels that are decently priced. The okuma Cedros and Cortez are great star drag reels and metaloid and andros are great lever drag.

And if you or someone you know is a first responder(cop, fireman, military, emt, ect) the okuma warehouse in Ontario gives you a 40% discount. My brother is a cop so he has been getting okuma gear at great prices

Just got my cedros for father's day, I think Charkbait still has them for $80 off retail. I want the same size Cortez for surface iron since it has cast control, but I'm gonna wait for the 2016 version to come out (grey and black rather than hey and red).

I don't have any lever drags yet, but my first one will either be an okuma Metalloid or a Release SG (soon to be named Truth Reels). The Metalloid is basically in the Avet Raptor class at half the price. And the Release SG, is a single speed lever drag, 30lbs of drag, all machine aluminium, holds like 500 yards of 50lb braid. About $250 for those and Jim Sammons swears by them.

Gunner58 · 07-12-2015, 03:38 PM

Thanks for all the info guys. If the okuma wear house is still doing that I just may have to replace more than one reel and rod.

07-12-2015, 09:22 AM	#1
FARRIER Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cmont [] Posts: 314	How did you lose those 3 fish? Before you start blaming your gear I would test your terminal connections. That being said what did you lose them on. I had some good lessons from a friend who made me test my knots with actual weight. He filled a bucket with 25 pounds of weights and had me tie knots to a collection ring. I learned the problem was not my gear. Did you have clean breaks of your line or curly ques at the end or did they just come unbuttoned? You may need to beef up your knot arsenal before you start dropping coin. __________________ "It depends on what the meaning of the words 'is' is." –Bill Clinton

07-12-2015, 11:13 AM	#4
FlyFishinYakr Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Nor Cal...30 min from Bodega/Tomales Bay, 1hr from Clear Lake, 2+ hr to Berryessa & the Delta Posts: 729	Check your drag washers lately? Rather than assuming you need to upgrade your gear, here's something anglers sometimes forget. How old is your gear, when was the last time the drag washers were serviced? Is your drag smooth or jerky? How old is your line (if using mono), or top-shot? What kind of knots are you using (if you're consistently breaking off at the connections)? Do you check your line/top-shot after catching/hooking a fish (did it take you into the kelp)? If there's one thing I learned from my time at a tackle shop (Art's Tackle in Gardena) or on the boats was to check or change my line often (and buy bulk spools). At least every 5-6 trips or once a month I would change my line (mono). Lastly (and this is just my opinion) maybe you should upsize your gear a little? I generally fish 40# for over 15-20# and when fishing around pesky dogs, kelp, pinnacles and if I'm fishing for food. I will fish 25-30# if the avg. are under 15# and if for sport. Something to contemplate before you start shelling out some coin to upgrade [unless you need an excuse to tell "the significant other" why you have to buy some new gear, in which case newer gear has better tech! ]. FFY

07-12-2015, 09:35 AM	#2
Gunner58 Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 81	One just pulled the hook, one broke clean just above the hook (possible toothy critter) and one line broke by my uni to uni knot. I was using 30lb floro attached to 50lb braid. But that is a great idea with testing knots. I will start doing that

07-12-2015, 10:50 AM	#3
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,910	Looks like your problem is more with the rig than the reel. Some reels, like Avet, do not allow for you to readjust your drag, unless it is in free spool. In another word, the range of the level drag setting cannot be done without going to free spool. If your level is in maximum drag setting and fish still is taking line and you need to increase the drag. You must first go to free spool and adjust drag with a small knob. Then your level will have different drag setting. Kind of hard to explain on line.

07-12-2015, 11:26 AM	#5
Gunner58 Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 81	Well to be honest it's a little of both. Reels are old so that could be part of the problem. I have two Abu 5500 that have been serviced not to long ago. I love those but prob not enough umph to handle those yellows. And I really do need to change out the line. It's about 1 year old so there are some other factors. But most of my bigger gear is about 10 or so years old so I think it's time to upgrade

07-12-2015, 12:03 PM	#6
parkermann Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 63	Check out some okuma reels. They now make some top of the line stuff. And they have a good amount a reels that are decently priced. The okuma Cedros and Cortez are great star drag reels and metaloid and andros are great lever drag. And if you or someone you know is a first responder(cop, fireman, military, emt, ect) the okuma warehouse in Ontario gives you a 40% discount. My brother is a cop so he has been getting okuma gear at great prices

07-12-2015, 12:19 PM	#7
Gunner58 Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 81	Ya I am military so that would be great. Do you just call them direct?

07-12-2015, 02:07 PM	#8
HobieScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 370	It does sound like you may be experiencing multiple problems as mentioned above. I would check your connections first then your drag second. Make sure the connections are not failing and that your drag is smooth and not grabbing as it lets line is out. Easy to tell as it will be jerky when a fish pulls line. If you check both and determine you need to upgrade your gear I have nothing but great things to say about the gear I have been using. I have been fishing strictly Diawa for inshore and Avet for offshore for years. I swear by my Avets. I have not had one let me down or not be able to stop a fish yet. With that being said on my last trip to Mexico I had a chance to try out a small Okuma lever drag (wish I knew which model it was) and I must say I was extremely impressed. The next time I want a new set up I will be looking into the Okumas.

07-12-2015, 03:38 PM	#11
Gunner58 Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 81	Thanks for all the info guys. If the okuma wear house is still doing that I just may have to replace more than one reel and rod.