Star Drag vs Lever Drag

[The Great Wallsendo]

Self explanatory...is it just horses for courses? or is there a difference?

I ask because I like the look of this...

http://www.shakespeare-fishing.co.uk/index.php?page=products&sarticle=2911-351

[Jaguar]

Well Big fingers and hands Star is alot of messing around. i went for the Warbird T25. Nice big power handle and lever drag Keeps it easy.


http://www.tacklebros.co.uk/catalog/...bc431d94da7ba5

[The Great Wallsendo]

Well Big fingers and hands Star is alot of messing around. i went for the Warbird T25. Nice big power handle and lever drag Keeps it easy.


http://www.tacklebros.co.uk/catalog/...bc431d94da7ba5

Is it any good?

Someone mentioned the ABU 7000LD in this thread

http://www.nesa.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=14276

Would it be a bit lightweight for Wrecking?

[ScottyJim]

Lever drag/Star drag

They both do the same thing I suppose, so whatever is easiest for you. The original idea for lever drag was for sport fishing in more summery climes than Wallsend. When a baracudda, tuna, or the likes, hit your bait or lure, they took off at a rate of knots for the horizon. Because of the shock to the line, you had the drag set back a fair bit to take the hit and let them run. Once you had stopped them, you then pushed the lever forward to the fighting setting where the fish had to fight harder to get line off the reel. The lever drag allowed you to have two set drag settings. So if you are going to go for the tuna off the Tyne, a lever drag is what you want. Seriously though, if you are thinking of trying for some big pollock on the wrecks, a lever drag might be the thing to take the first dive.
This is just a personal opinion. I wouldn't touch Shakespeare reels with a bargepole. My experience in the past is that they fall apart after a couple of years(If your lucky). They rust and corrode and you have to religiously wash them in fresh water after every trip. In saying that, I'm sure I seen somewhere recently that they either took over Penn, or were taken over by them. Might change their quality.
Lastly, I always like a good name and Abu is one of them. An Abu7000 I would discourage nobody in buying. Funnily enough I was looking around the mail order chappies the other day and noticed this. Didn't know Abu did a lever drag 7000. Good discount too.

http://www.poingdestres.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/98/groupID/1/categoryID/2

[ScottyJim]

Lever drag/Star drag

They both do the same thing I suppose, so whatever is easiest for you. The original idea for lever drag was for sport fishing in more summery climes than Wallsend. When a baracudda, tuna, or the likes, hit your bait or lure, they took off at a rate of knots for the horizon. Because of the shock to the line, you had the drag set back a fair bit to take the hit and let them run. Once you had stopped them, you then pushed the lever forward to the fighting setting where the fish had to fight harder to get line off the reel. The lever drag allowed you to have two set drag settings. So if you are going to go for the tuna off the Tyne, a lever drag is what you want. Seriously though, if you are thinking of trying for some big pollock on the wrecks, a lever drag might be the thing to take the first dive.
This is just a personal opinion. I wouldn't touch Shakespeare reels with a bargepole. My experience in the past is that they fall apart after a couple of years(If your lucky). They rust and corrode and you have to religiously wash them in fresh water after every trip. In saying that, I'm sure I seen somewhere recently that they either took over Penn, or were taken over by them. Might change their quality.
Lastly, I always like a good name and Abu is one of them. An Abu7000 I would discourage nobody in buying. Funnily enough I was looking around the mail order chappies the other day and noticed this. Didn't know Abu did a lever drag 7000. Good discount too.

http://www.poingdestres.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/98/groupID/1/categoryID/2

[The Great Wallsendo]

As you say there are good online disounts for 7000LD...but its spec' says for max capacity of up to 18lb line....would the reel be able to handle a backing of mono and 50lb braid?

[Tadpoleman]

Lever Drag for me ! TLD 15 or if your after something for lifting wks off the bottom the TLD 20 or 25
I recommend the 15 great all round lever drag ! great quality and even better price

[ScottyJim]

50lb braid ?

Yeah. You would probably get it on the reel, but if you had your drag set for the 50lb braid, you would be over stressing the reels gearing. Not a good idea. Do you need to use 50lb braid ? The wrecks I fish are off Amble. Not too deep or far out, but just as snaggy. Doesn't matter if its 50lb or 35lb line. Once your into the heavy metal there's only one winner, and it sure aint me.

[Jaguar]

isnt 50lb braid so we dont loose traces as well ?

[davem2005]

Lever drag every time for me .. More fish are lost by incorrectly set drags than anything else. Finger tip control when you need it.

I think a large proportion of star drags in the NE are rusted into the position they were set at when they hooked a wreck and pulled for a break.

TLD 15 or charter special would be recommended

Cheers
dave

[SIXFOOTSTEVE]

I use a TLD ,lovely reel ,very pleased with it.

[The Great Wallsendo]

TLD seems the favourite....but does anyone else mirror the sentiment with Shakespeare?

[KeithB]

TLD25's are no good for catching doublers!

[Norman]

No comparisson Wallsendo, Lever Drag every time, has infinite drag setting at a touch, easy to back it off if you think the fight is too hard (and my them 2lbders at St Marys certainly put up a fight)

I hear (and from good sources just look at this thread) that the TLD`s are excellent, I use Penn 225 and 245 (prefer the smaller 225) but they are becoming difficult to find now, still a few on ebay last time a looked.

[Oblickta]

Lever drags for me too, I recently bought a 975LD and love it. Jaq's got a charter special aquired on ebay (new) for £70 and I reckon that's the best value for money deal I've seen in a while