Dave,

It is a reel made for trout or pan fish fishing, not for huge saltwater fish or monster carp or pike, etc. A trout reels main function is to hold line. Very seldom do most trout really get the line flying off the reel. The drags are mainly there to prevent free spooling. The few times you do run into a trout that is big enough to actually take line off the reel then the drag system on this reel should handle it. Again the main function is simply to hold line.

However, if you do fish a type of fish that often gets the line flying off the reel, then seriously consider buying a more expensive reel with a really good disc drag that can take the punishment. That reel will cost at least 4 times and up to 8 times what this reel does.

So, what is your style of fishing and what fish are you going to target? Buy accordingly.

Then, get out there and do some fishing.

Larry ---sagefisher---