[txseadog]

Russ,

I look at max drag ratings like a speedometer on a car, just because it has 160 mph on it doesn't mean you should or can drive it that fast...

Originally Posted by Uncle Russ

Louis: I am assuming those are the specs Shimano puts out on the reels. But with all due respect to the Stella 8,000, 45 pounds of drag certainly seems excessive for a reel with a spool of that diameter. I have not tested mine for maximum drag, but will this weekend if I get a chance. I also have heard that the Stella 20,000 will put out more drag than the Twinspin SR30, and that may be true. I have not tested that reel either, but my Twinspin has gone up to 45 pounds, and I might have honked down on it for another 5 pounds--although I would never fish it above 30 for anything I will ever catch. I can't conceive of the Stella 8,000 matching that, and if it did, I would worry about something else failing in the old boiler room--like gear failure or a handle snapping or something equally horrible.

Russ