Shimano Spinning Reel Max Drag Spec

[pametfisher]

I've got three Shimano spinning reels that I tested for max drag. My method was simple: turn the drag cap until it bottoms, no tighter, pull with a scale.

Specs:
Shimano Stradic 5000 FA 25 lbs. Max
Shimano Stella 20000 FA 58 lbs. Max

Measured at full spool:
Stradic: 13 lbs.
Stella #1: 26 lbs.
Stella #2: 29 lbs

Since the numbers are much lower than the spec, I took into account the reduction in diameter of the spool and calculated what the drag would be at the bottomo of the spool.

Calculated Bottom of Spool Drag:
Stradic: 24.5 lbs.
Stella #1: 73.5 lbs.
Stella #2: 81.5 lbs.

These results say that Shimano's spinning reel drag specs are closer to the empty spool calculation than a full spool measurement.

Assuming that the bottom of spool drag is equal to the spec, you can make a calculation of what the maximum starting drag implied by Shimano's spec should be. If you buy the reel, this is what you can count on even though you might be able to coax 20% or so more from them. (I guess if I overtightened the 20Ks I could get to about 30 lbs. at full spool.)

Maximum Starting Drag:
Stradic 5000 FA: 13 lbs.
Stella 20000 FA: 21 lbs. (The SW spec is 55 lbs. which would translate to 20 lbs.)

As a side note, the force of the bail at max drag is below:

Bail arm force at Drag spec:
Stradic 5000 FA: 35 lbs.
Stella 20000 FA: 82 lbs.

[BretABaker]

great post pametfisher!

ive noticed how hard it get to screw the caps down more once you get into mid-20s of drag. never thought to test it though. thanks for doing that

interesting though, since on conventional reels like the trinidad and accurate boss reels, i have gotten their spec drag (actually a little higher) with the spool full.

[pametfisher]

great post pametfisher!

ive noticed how hard it get to screw the caps down more once you get into mid-20s of drag. never thought to test it though. thanks for doing that

interesting though, since on conventional reels like the trinidad and accurate boss reels, i have gotten their spec drag (actually a little higher) with the spool full.

That's interesting, that's what I thought I seen in the conventionals from other posts. It made me go test a couple of Penn 950s. One is at 17 lbs. full, the other at a measly 13. I'm going to see if there's grease on the 13.

If you go to full drag spec on the conventionals, do you also get Free spool?

[BretABaker]

ill check......but i dont remember it necessarily.

[d-a]

If you go to full drag spec on the conventionals, do you also get Free spool?

Depends on the conventional. Some like the Trinidads and saltiga's will but thats there nature whereas some lever drags will loose free spool when you get to the upper ends of the drag range.

d-a

[YMMV]

Just curious, how are you measuring the drag? Are you doing it by just pulling line directly off the reel? I have always thought (which is also the way I set my drag) and been told to have the reel on the rod, run the lines through the guide, and then pull on it to set the drag.

[Jrzrider83]

pametfisher-

what do you mean when you say "the force of the bail" ?

is that the force required to close the bail at max drag of the force that max drag exerts on the bail?

[ksong]

MY Jigging Master PE4 get more than 25 lbs drag with full line and has excellent free spool even with 25 lbs drag. I never heard max drag is measured at the bottom of spool. If your measurement is correct, it is Shimano's gross misrepresentation. I hope you measure the max drag of Saltiga or Twinspin.

[d-a]

MY Jigging Master PE4 get more than 25 lbs drag with full line and has excellent free spool even with 25 lbs drag. I never heard max drag is measured at the bottom of spool. If your measurement is correct, it is Shimano's gross misrepresentation. I hope you measure the max drag of Saltiga or Twinspin.

Kil

I have gotten 30lbs of drag out of my stella's (8000 thru 20000's)with a full spool. Never tried higher.

d-a

[ksong]

Kil

I have gotten 30lbs of drag out of my stella's (8000 thru 20000's)with a full spool. Never tried higher.

d-a

That is true. No need to go over 30 lbs drag for any fish with a spinning reel.