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Star drag vs Lever drag re casting

Posted by pete88 <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=pete88' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 25/9/2017, 9:07 am

Sorry to ask a possibly dumb question but I have only been fishing for 60 years and there is a lot to learn.
For many years I have been using a Penn 500 left hand wind Jigmaster for surfcasting but have never achieved any decent distance and have had heaps of birds nests. I realise that the Jigmaster was never designed as a casting reel(no brake) but its pretty rugged and good to use when winching in a decent eagle ray.
Thinking of buying a overhead reel for casting but need to know if lever drag reels cast ok ??
My avid surfcaster mate in the states told me in an email that "lever drag reels dont go fully into free spool, ie there is always some residual drag on the spool"
I asked him to explain further but unfortunately the next email I got was from his wife informing me that Denis had dropped dead!!!

Was thinking of a Shimano Torium 20G or 30G
A chap in our club casts awesome distances with one of these and they are available in left hand wind. (although I'm strongly right-handed I will only use left hand wind reels)
Penn make a few more affordable left hand lever drag reels of bigger size but in lever drag only.
I dont want a level wind reel.
Can anyone tell me the difference between lever and star drag reels regarding casting performance ??? TIA

Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths.

Re: Star drag vs Lever drag re casting

Posted by nzgw <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=nzgw' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 27/9/2017, 6:50 am, in reply to "Star drag vs Lever drag re casting"

Hi Pete88 I think there is only one Avet make a MC (magnetic cast control)lever drag reel and I think they have left hand options?

Re: Star drag vs Lever drag re casting

Posted by pete88 <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=pete88' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 27/9/2017, 9:42 am, in reply to "Re: Star drag vs Lever drag re casting"

Thanks for that I shall peruse that line.
What i really want to know is if star drag reels are better casting than their new-fangled lever drag cousins??

Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths.

Re: Star drag vs Lever drag re casting

Posted by nzgw <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=nzgw' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 28/9/2017, 6:42 am, in reply to "Star drag vs Lever drag re casting"

Hi Pete
Traditionally star drag cast better than lever drag but the Avets are very capable casting reels and are lever drag.
You mention Shimano torium I am pretty sure they are star drag?

Re: Star drag vs Lever drag re casting

Posted by pete88 <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=pete88' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 28/9/2017, 7:57 am, in reply to "Re: Star drag vs Lever drag re casting"

Thanks for your reply

I checked out the Avets, look nice but pricey as are the Toriums (which are star drag)
A few smaller size reels out there but I really cant go any smaller than Penn Jigmaster 500 size as I find small reels fiddly to use with sausage fingers.
Cheers

Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths.

Re: Star drag vs Lever drag re casting

Posted by jaypeegee <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=jaypeegee' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 28/9/2017, 5:21 pm, in reply to "Star drag vs Lever drag re casting"

Re casting performance: the avet goes well. It has a heavy spool compared to other reels I have and this means I have to be smooth when casting. It also sits higher than I'm 100% comfortable with so getting my thumb over it can be a challenge.

The magging is very controllable. It also free spools insanely well so the drive is disengaged.

Have you considered adding a mag system to the Penn? Not too hard to do and can be done cheaply.

Re: Star drag vs Lever drag re casting

Posted by team breakaway <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=team+breakaway' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 29/9/2017, 9:20 am, in reply to "Re: Star drag vs Lever drag re casting"

Here is a link that shows how to do it;
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=8230.0
Allows you to take out mags as you see it.

Re: Star drag vs Lever drag re casting

Posted by pete88 <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=pete88' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 29/9/2017, 10:03 am, in reply to "Re: Star drag vs Lever drag re casting"

Bugger me, that is brilliant

thanks hugely chaps!!!

I have various spools for the Jigmaster, plastic, shit metal and steel, the washers would fit all

Off to Jaycar methinks

Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths.

Re: Star drag vs Lever drag re casting

Posted by jaypeegee <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=jaypeegee' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 29/9/2017, 2:50 pm, in reply to "Re: Star drag vs Lever drag re casting"

Spool has to be aluminium. If it isn't then make a aluminium disc that you glue on to the spool.

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