Do YOU Backreel? No Need for a Drag ?

[JimmyJ]

I read alot of posts on the board that talk about the quality of the drag on various spinning reels.
If you backreel a drag doesn't seem to me to be that important. I started backreeling about 10 years ago and I cannot remember loosing a fish once it was hooked in all those years. What do you think, am I all wet on this one? Can you get by with a cheaper reel based on weather the drag is used or not?

[stewart]

I backreel, though that's just because I grew up fishing with cheap reels whose drags I didn't trust. Even backreeling you'll appreciate the quality of a better reel. Smoother,going forwards or backwards.

[Fin Addict]

I used to back reel when I was a kid. Now I have adequate reels and it is no longer necessary. Having the antireverse locked on a decent reel is a real advantage when setting the hook. I do a fair amount of deep sea fishing and for these larger fish I set my drags with a scale. If drags are set properly on a decent reel they will do a far better job than I can do back reeling and will maintain more consistent pressure resulting in fewer lost fish.

[Doc_wi]

I too back reel any big fish as I hammer my drag tight on my jigging sticks. I feel that once mastered, back reeling the fish gives you the best chance of landing a BIG fish on light tackle. Trusting the drag doesn't give you the ability to keep the right amount of pressure on the fish at all times. Now with fish that are known for long hard runs like trout, salmon and big northern pike, I can see where a tight drag can cost you a fish.
IMHO
Doc

[Terry/JNR]

With the advanced drags on most of todays quality reels, backreeling isn't nessesary any longer. If you have a properly adjusted drag, you won't loose any more fish than if you back reeled. Shimano's rear Fight'n drag is the best one, in my opinion.

[fishinjones]

Tough for any drag to respond when a good fish runs. Back reeling saves you from pulling hooks out of fish and breakoffs at unknown weak spots. If you find yourself reaching for the line to pull out drag or adjusting the drag during the fight, try it. What about baitcasters do you free spool or pull line by hand when a fish is hot? Do they make a baitcaster that can back reel?

[Greg P.]

I have been successfully backreeling for many years, due to the sticky properties of the drag on spinning reels I use. I have landed plenty of very large fish using only backreeling technique, I can't remember the last time a fish broke my line (biteoffs excluded).

I also agree with Terry on the Shimano fighting drag system, it is very effective. I also like the fighting drag system when I take less experienced fisherpeople out. I can adjust the drag for them while they fight a big fish without interfering with them. Some of the people I take out fishing have never hooked a fish big enough to break their line, and don't know what the drag is for.

I have a hard time spending more than $40 on a spinning reel. I often supply gear for other people who are sometimes a little abusive to my equipment. Handles get stepped on and bent, they get set in the dirt, etc., because of this, I don't like to buy the expensive reels. The newer, expensive models have drags that are not sticky.

To answer your question directly, I use both, backreeling, and the (fighting) drag. Both can be used effectively.

There are a few other reels besides Shimano with the fighting drag system on the bottom of the reel.

Good question,
Greg P.

[Phil T.]

I own a baitcaster that can be backreeled. It's a Quantum 1420. I bought it for the free spool with clicker feature for spring pike dead bait fishing. I was pleasantly surprised that the antireverse could be switched off. I don't know if it's even being sold anymore. And I don't know if its little brother, the 1310, has the feature.

[Ed M]

I back reel, but remember, the drag still works if a big'un overpowers you. Back reeling is the best way to handle a big fish that's way over your rod and reel's capacity. Like a big muskie or carp on a little 6 pound test outfit - you don't want to trust any drag in that situation. When that big carp hits, you always hope it's something else, buy you at least want to hold it long enough to find out! With a normal size fish that's matched to your outfit, it don't matter if you use the drag or not.

[KM]

I also have been backreeling for at least 30 years. It is the best way I have found of having control over the fish. I really wish the top quality shimano baitcasters gave you this option. With them I am FORCED to use there drags. I own 10 of the old Cardinal 4's and elect to only backreel fish. I would not trade these reels or change this technique. I cannot remember the last time I lost a fish, once hooked, due to backreeling. On the other hand I have heard of many who lose fish relying on their drag systems. Of course this is probably due to the fact that their drags where improperly set for the conditions or fish they where after.

KM

[Phil T.]

I wouldn't worry too much about the drags in your old Cardinal C-4's. I had a 6lb spring salmon all but empty the spool of my C-3 in a single run. The drag didn't sieze, the 6lb line held. That's how I know the size of the fish.

[night_eyes]

I do nothing but backreel...and i'll never change that. I have buddies that constantly break lines on big fish..and i know that they probably dont have their drag set..but i constantly tell them to backreel because you dont have to worry about any drag settings. I caught a 43" northern last year in Canada on my light action jigging rod. After seeing how lightly hooked that northern was...i think if i had relied on the drag that hook would have popped right out. But with the backreel i was much better able to control things.