Do we REALLY need a small spinning reel with huge factory drag ratings?

[Leprechaun]

I think not. Watch this vid - I find it interesting.

 

[longcast]

I think not. Watch this vid - I find it interesting.

Very interesting video. And very true.

 

[captmike28]

I think not. Watch this vid - I find it interesting.

He certainly makes some good points and that was a nice visual of what is actually happening.

IMHO, if you are having to push your reel to the max drag setting on whatever setup you use, you probably need to change and move up a notch on your tackle choice. Pushing your drag system to the max too much will certainly wind up damaging the reel in the long run. I'm sure many of us, me included, have seen this happen.

Also, not surprising that "deceptive marketing practices", like the specification race, are as much a part of fishing gear as many other products.

Thanks for the insight, Lep.

 

[Roccus7]

I’ll present another question like yours, Does anyone really need 5 outboards to power their boat?

The answer to both our questions is because somebody will gladly spend money they don’t need to, and boldly proclaim, Look what I got!!

 

[MakoMatt]

I think he makes a good point for most inshore applications. One exception would be slow pitch jigging. Although spinning reels are not the norm for this, there are people who do use them. Here is where you may benefit from more substantial drag. The “purest” slow pitch jiggers use the rod primarily to help impart the action to the jig…….. the free falling flutter. The rods aren’t designed to put pressure on the fish by way of resistance of the rod bending. You fight the fish pointing the rod tip at the fish, and let the reel winch the fish in. I do a fair amount of slow pitch jig fishing. I do not particularly care for that “purest” way of jigging, but sometimes I do. And if the rod can’t help you get that fish off the bottom you had better have a reel that you can winch it away. This is especially true down south playing with the various grouper’s & snappers