Front drag or rear drag...what's the difference?

[fruitloopy]

Apart from the obvious (one is at the front and the other at the rear) what is the difference between a rear drag reel and a front drag reel and why would you use one over the other? Is it just a personal preference or is one used for a particular method, application or style?

 

Thanks.

[rourke7719]

Apart from the obvious (one is at the front and the other at the rear) what is the difference between a rear drag reel and a front drag reel and why would you use one over the other? Is it just a personal preference or is one used for a particular method, application or style?

 

Thanks.

 

A lot of it does come down to personal preference but besides the obvious differences I find that the drag adjustment on a front drag reel is far more precise than on a rear drag and I have found the drag to be more reliable on front drag models. Rear drag models big advantage IMO is the fact that the spools can be changed far more easily and you can change them without having to alter your drag settings.

 

I like rear drag reels for big fish because I have shimano reels with the fighting drag system which is handy if you need to quickly alter your drag setting whilst playing a fish. However I do have front drag reels, which I actually prefer to use for general fishing where I don't expect any monsters.

[Neil G]

Prefer front drag, simpler and less prone to snatchy feel etc

[Alan Stubbs]

I have both, and whilst front drag reels are smoother and more accurate - far less prone to snatching, rar drag reels are a lot easier to manage when playing a fish IMO.

 

OK, I don't often have to adjust the drag on my reels, being relatively uninvolved in catching fish of a size capable of testing drag, but I do fine rear drag easier to use!