Front or Rear drag reels?

[STCROIX BOY]

O.K. guys what's the scoop on front drag vs. rear drag reels? I'm looking to pick up an inexpensive reel for multi purpose use. I like the feel of the Mitchell Copperhead reels, and all Mitchell's have a $10 rebate. Looked at both front and rear drag versions. Close in price. What's the diff?

Thanks
STCROIX BOY

[stewart]

Don't know about the specific reel your looking at, but this is what i know about the dif. between front and back drags. Front drags use larger washers, so usually they give you a better drag. However, on inexpensive reels it's better to go with a rear drag because front drag systems take more care to build well than rear drags.

[BD]

My personal preferance is to go with the front drag. I had trouble with a rear drag on a different but expensive rear drag reel.

"Has it ever struck you that trout bite best on the Sabbath? God's critters tempting decent men." --- James Barrie (author of Peter Pan, circa 1891)

[Mattman]

One of the reasons I like front drag is because the reel is more compact.

[cisco]

Best bet, in my opinion, is the new center drag.

[mikemcadams]

I'll second that on the center drag reels. I bought one this winter and have been using it since mid-February. I have found it to be well built and very reliable so far. Now if Abu Garcia would just send me my free one!

The only downside to these reels is the anti-reverse. It is also a ring, rather than the usual toggle. Since there is no really visible indicator it can be difficult to determine whether it is off or on, but nothing a little paint won't correct.

Your mileage may vary, but I'm one satisfied customer.

Abu Regards,
Mike

[Kevin/CO]

Front drag gives line smmother but with front drag it is much more difficult to make adjustments durring the fight. With rear drag the drag might not be as smoothe but you can easily adjust the drag without contacting the line. My 2 cents.

[TLY]

Are you saying that the reverse is now history? That would be sad as much as I have just tried to lock in on bait casters that still had a reverse (see archives).

I prefer a front drag as long as I can temper my incorrect drag decisions with a quick reverse when the critter starts to run.

TLY

[GORD]

Making choices can make your brain hurt. When in doubt, stand back and take a look around, take a look at the big picture. Do expensive reels have rear drag, or just the cheap stuff? Then again, cheap reels are known as "throw aways" because they just aren't worth fixing. Most cheap reels today are pretty good. buy one, use it for a few years, then give it to a kid....... two days later, he'll tell everyone which drag style is best.

[vetspet(ind)]

i agree with the front drag having larger discs for greater drag control...the only thing i have noticed on my ultralites is that the same reel with rear drag seems to have less play in the anti reverse mode than my front drag reels....steve

[Terry/JNR]

I've always prefered the Shimano rear drag with the fightn drag. Set the drag where you want it and use the fightn drag while fighting a fish and return to your preset drag every time.

[WAeyes]

I didn't know there was "play" on reels with anti-reverse. Isn't that why they call it anti-reverse?