Rear Drag Spinning Reels

[Lee]

I'm a bit of a Shimano fanboy, I think they call it "Fighting Drag."

I've been shopping spinning reels, never used a rear drag, is it just a gimmick? Seems like a slightly more convenient location to put it that the traditional spot. Though it's not like you can really adjust drag and reel at the same time, so reaching the front vs back of reel is maybe just a preference?

I'm right handed, and want my rod in my right hand and reel handle on the left. I don't know why that's considered left handed and not as common? The other way just feels weird to me. Thankfully most spinning reels you can swap the handle side to side.

 

[total newb]

I reel the same way so much that i buy l/h crank abu garcia casting reels as well.

While i prefer rear drag spinning reels they are few and far. It has been said that its harder to make the larger drag plates so top/spool drag are better because the have to be more presice to make the parts.

 

[Lee]

I reel the same way so much that i buy l/h crank abu garcia casting reels as well.

While i prefer rear drag spinning reels they are few and far. It has been said that its harder to make the larger drag plates so top/spool drag are better because the have to be more presice to make the parts.

I've got a lefty Curado from the mid '00s but that's the only bait caster I own. I'm really good at making bird's nests with that Curado. Everything else I've got is a spinning or spincast reel.

 

[Aggie06]

I've got a lefty Curado from the mid '00s but that's the only bait caster I own. I'm really good at making bird's nests with that Curado. Everything else I've got is a spinning or spincast reel.

Have you tried adjusting the brakes on your curado?

 

[Lee]

Have you tried adjusting the brakes on your curado?

The little weights under the side cover?

I can dial it in for a particular lure, and sorta look like I know what I'm doing when I'm casting, but as soon as I put a different weight lure on it, I've got the go through the process again, or it's bird's nest city. I'm not much of a baitcaster, never really tried to be though. Had some buddies into tournament bass fishing that convinced me to waste a bunch of money on it. I don't necessarily regret buying it, but it's not my go-to reel for anything I like to fish for.

I've got a Walmart Shakespeare spinning reel and Ugly Stick combo that's caught far and away more fish than anything else I own. I don't know what I'm missing, so... well, I don't know what I'm missing.

I've got a work friend wanting me to take him fishing, my gear is pretty dated, just got me looking at what's out there, and rear drag piqued my interest.

 

[planefixer]

I've used both but prefer front drag spinning reels. It just seems like I can fine tune the drag better with it on the front.

 

[grandeyota]

I had a rear drag shimano from the early 2000s. Whatever the lowest end model at Walmart was from that era. Gave it away to a neighbor kid last year.

Was thinking about it when my 6 year old hooked into a mutton snapper and it started pulling line. He was so pumped up he wouldn’t pause reeling for a second to let me tighten the top drag.
Was also super convenient if line got under the spool. Just hit the button, pop the spool and right back in business without 20-30 seconds of twisting off/on the drag knob.
Not much else different I can think of.