Baitcaster Carbontex drag upgrades: Worth it...?
Submitted by Quobbarockhopper on Thu, 2010-07-29 16:22
Hi all
Just wondering if anyones had any experience with changing drag washers over in baitcasters tp the carbontex types?
If so, is there any discernable difference in strength/ smoothness of the drag? I was thinking in particular in Curado 300E and Abu Revo Toro 60s... Still deciding between these two and although the washers are pretty cheap and seem easy enough to change over, wether or not they really make much of a difference and what sort of difference they make will probably go a long way to me making up my mind between the two...
If you have done this on either of these models, or even on any baitcaster, how much stronger/ smoother does it really make the reel?
cheers again guys
Ryan C
Posts: 1575
Date Joined: 08/07/10
carbontex washers
hi mate , the carbontex washers make a big differrence to drag performance if you are consistently hooking large pelagics on your reel and getting long , fast runs, under a fair bit of pressure, this is when the standard washers will start to furr up and wear noticeably, i have had the standard washers on a stella 4000 rooted in 1 near 300m run from a big yellowfin . the carbontex however wear much better , but if its extra drag pressure you are looking for most standard drags these days are more than a match for lightish graphite baitcaster rods, so it depends what you are looking for. cheers
Oceanside Tackle
Posts: 2803
Date Joined: 23/07/09
Depends on the reel. The
Depends on the reel. The Shimano does get jerky on heavy drag setting (mainly Calcuttas), so yes they can benefit from the Carbontex drag upgrade.
The Abu Revo's have drag washers similar to carbontex and HT-100s. They are pretty good as it is but was worn out you can upgrade later.
For most other reels that uses carbonfibre and composite washers do benefit from the upgrade to the Carbontex. The carbontex washers gives smoother drag at the higher drag setting. There's no inertia at the start. In some reels it can give you more drag but most of the time it gives you a smoother heavy drag setting.
Both reels are bloody good reels, cant go wrong with either.
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Choongy
Posts: 57
Date Joined: 26/08/09
Carbontex drags
Recently upgraded what was an ordinary drag in a quality reel (Team Daiwa Luna 103), and is much improved. Nice and smooth with plenty enough drag for the 6kg Fins that's on it.
Have had an Abu Revo Toro 60 for just over 12 months, and caught a load of fish on it. No fancy gimmicks in the casting department, but plenty enough smooth drag for the 15 kg Fins. As Honsu mentions, has a carbon matrix drag, and not sure that it would benefit from any upgrade. I had previously owned half a dozen Abu baitcasters, and not liked any of them, but the Revo Toro seems to be a good thing. Recently started making a suspicious noise though....
Cheers, Choongy
Alan James
Posts: 2305
Date Joined: 30/06/09
Daiwa Luna 103
How much was the upgrade on the Daiwa Luna 103. I purchased a Daiwa Luna 253 some years ago and it has sat in the corner ever since as I wasn't happy with the drag. If I had known the drag would be as jerky as it is I would have never purchased it in the first place. Went out a couple of weeks later and bought a Calcutta TE 200. Much nicer.
Choongy
Posts: 57
Date Joined: 26/08/09
Luna drag
I think it was just over $20. Not much, but you shouldn't have to upgrade a drag in you have already spent around $400 on. Want to unload your 253?
Cheers, Choongy
Alan James
Posts: 2305
Date Joined: 30/06/09
I'm tempted
but might get the drag upgrade and then it may find its way onto the boat as a spare. Thanks for the feedback.
Quobbarockhopper
Posts: 393
Date Joined: 28/05/10
thanks all... good food for
thanks all... good food for thought....
still got to decide between the curado and the toro.... hmmm
was half heartedly looking at the dawia zillion type r... love the specs on it, just not to line capacity
Lucky Tim
Posts: 2536
Date Joined: 28/11/07
I've chucked them in my
I've chucked them in my Calcutta 200's and they give a nicer, smoother drag than the stock washers. Worth the small $$$ cost in my opinion.