Andrew, my wife's Daiwa Ballistic Spinning reel 3000 has drag issues now after a year of fairly heavy use. Now I know how to fix it and will use those carbontex drag washers. Great video, your step by step instructions makes it now an easy fix. Thank you, Andrew
@@UzunKamis Yes, it worked. My wife and I retired both Ballistic reels and we now both have Shimano Vanford 5000 spinning reels. Light weight, 7.8 oz / fast smooth retrieve 40 inches per turn of handle. Also they hold nearly 200 yds of 40 lb braid, Berkley X9, and a smooth drag of up to 24 lbs . Heads and tails over the Ballistic 3000.
@@alfontana6242 I have Daiwa Legalis LT 2000 and 2500. These days my 2500 gets loose suddenly when I am casting 30 grams of jigs. I think the fabric washers are dead. I believe replacing them with carbon washers will fix this issue... I also have Daiwa Legalis 3000 and 4000. I am also thinking updating them without having issues with fabric washers.
Thank you for this excellent clip. I am a teacher in South Africa and love bass fishing. I have problems with my drag on my spinning reels and will follow your advice on all my reels. I have 10 "thumbs" and not technically minded at all but this will truelly help me sort out my drag problems. Thanks again. Be blessed.
I bought a sheet of 200mmx400mmx0.5mm of carbon fiber for $12. I will use a heat gun to soften the carbon fiber after I've stenciled what I need and will let you know how it works out. Like your videos very much--Doc
Good stuff - thanks. It is ridiculous that the manufacturers will not make the drag stronger and more sensitive in the first place - it is not difficult or expensive.
In general most drag systems are acceptable just some Daiwa LT reels has sticky ones.. Not too sure whether it's because of the type of the felt used or grease or something else. Anyway, carbon washers are the way to go in my eyes.
For most reels carbon drag washers can be a great upgrade. If you’re an ultra light fisherman for trout and use 2-4 lb carbon drag washers are not superior to a properly maintained reel using oil and felt.
I would not agree re "drag washers are not superior to a properly maintained reel using oil and felt" when it comes to most smaller Daiwa LT reels (like Fuegos, Ballistics). The drag is sticky and unrealiable no matter how much you oil it. Once you put carbon drag washers, the problem just goes away! 👌
Hi Andrew, thanks for video, I bought many things from Ali after your reviews. Those vashers, I found 22x12x07 or 22x16x07 or 21x14x07 what will be best choice for fuego Lt 2000? Regards Dan
Great videos Andrew, I’m enjoying going through them. Just one question, what pliers are you using to remove the retaining clip? The flat blades look much better than the standard ones I normally ue for such work.
hiya andrew , great video's , great to watch, and very help full, great channel ,plenty info, for every body. just tried the link for the grease , and it no longer in stock with that supplier , do you know of another stockist, cheer's Andrew , done a quick search , found another supplier , on the same site, doh, cheer's
Can't comment on one in your question as I don't use it. I used to use Shimano Oil, Abu Garcia and these ones from China. All do work ok for me. Cheers
Hi Andrew i really love your videos very informative simple , straight forward a lit bit of advertising but nothing too pushed , and you always reply to your comments true gentelmen. May I ask about the tool you used to measure, where did you get it from and also what is it called? Many thanks
Hi Andrew, love your videos. I've recently purchased a second hand Daiwa TD SOL III 2500. I've noticed the drag loosens as you pull the line, so I need to re-adjust the drag to make it tighter on every hookup. Is this an indication that the drag washers need replacing or sign of a bigger issue?
Hi, It won't be to do with drag washers. It means that when your fish takes the line, drag adjusting knob/cap spins with the spool.. How that's even possible, I don't know. Try maybe putting a little bit of grease/oil in between the spool's knob/cap and first metal spool's washer. Cheers
Great video and very informative as usual ! Would you be able to advise what size of of drag washer from carbontex is required for 2021 Daiwa Fuego 2000S-XH? I am struggling to find the definite answer . Thanks in advance for your help. Best Regards, Arek.
Had carbon washers in my drag for years andrew i maintain all my own reels strip them all down and lubricate them replace any parts that show wear i have a passion for shimano reels they make the best gear systems in the woirld in my opinion also daiwa make some nice reels ALIEN
Yes, Daiwa and Shimano are the best when it comes gears etc, I believe. Still, as you say, Shimano may have better internals.. I prefer Daiwa's over Shimano's because of thin bail on Shimano BUT still use both. 👍
Great video Andrew, I can't find carbon washers for my daiwa legalis 3012. 😔 I should mention I Do not have the digital measuring device so can't measure the washers
@@AndrewsKnots got some calipers in the mail then will order washers from the link below. Is it best to go with slightly smaller or slightly larger if exact size cannot be found? Cheers Andrew 👍
Didn't see this question asked already, but how is the ability to lock down the drag compared to the factory washers? Can your drag still tighten as much or does it slip more when cranked way down? Like the videos, thanks. 👍
I haven't noticed any problems with 'locking down'. On the other hand, if you fish often 'locked down', you should consider staying with felt as this video is about upgrading drag's performance.
Thanks. No, I don't, with some fly reels this could cause you to lose the ability to get a stiffer drag if needed, just didn't know if this would happen with a spinning reel. Thanks again.
Hello Andrew, I think i am going to buy the Fuego LT 1000 for my kuying TTS642UL, but i have one question: Do you know if the size of the washers is the same as the 2500 reel etc.? Keep on i love your videos and upgrade tutorials!
Yes it will. And, yes, only 1 washer on 1000/2000 sizes (or at least never models)! These reels with 1 washer has better drag than other LT reels with 3! True story.
@@jessevanhoogstraten6841 i have daiwa ninja 2000 LT and for this size of reel the washer size is the following: EXTERIOR: 22mm INTERIOR: 14mm THICK: 1mm Get one of the felt washers out and measure it because only when i got mine out i found out the 2000 size has only one washer compared to the sizes above 2000 witch have 3 washers. And one more thing you should know: on aliexpress the carbontex washers come in one piece (there is not a set)
Andrew i replaced washers in 6 reels today all with these carbon washers you recommend they truly transform a reel i got a pack of 21 washers for £1.05 thats crazy prices absolutely awesome Andrew ALIEN
Hi Andrew, followed link for shimano washers and unsure if price is per washer or as in the picture (about 14 washers shown) - just wondered if you could help. Really useful channel.
Hey again anglers and Andrew, this is a comment I should've made a year ago after actually ordering and testing carbontex washers for myself, and oh boy do I have things to say. For those that dislike reading here's a TLDR: Felt washers are absolutely superior and the only application where carbon washers makes sense is during saltwater fishing for really big and strong fish that pull A LOT of drag over a long period of time, since they are more durable. So my suspicion in my old comment was correct, the ATD functionality completely disappears when you swap to carbon washers, making your drag less functional overall. Some would say that the "ATD" function is similar to all drags using felt washers, and that might be partly true but from my testing, Daiwas ATD drag works way better and is smoother than other brands drag systems that use felt. You can essentially think of Daiwas ATD drag power as being over a "spectrum", let's say you set the drag to 1kg of stopping power, the drag will still output that power between approximetaly 0,7kg to 1,5kg DEPENDANT on how slow/soft or fast/hard the line is being pulled. There are THREE major reasons why this is the optimal way for a drag to work. 1. It amplifies your connection with the fish beyond that of your rod, you get a way better feel of how the fish is behaving, you can tell what the fish is doing at all times by how the drag moves, even other anglers next to you can realize this by simply just listening to the drag clicks. 2. Setting the hook feels and performs way better since when you pull fast and hard, the drag stiffens and increases it's stopping power making the hookset better throughout the motion of your arms, even on a lighter dragpower setting. 3. The nuanced stopping power puts less stress on line and leader, on a big fish you can tighten down the drag and pull slowly but firmly and STILL hear those slower clicks from the drag ensuring you that the line is not going to break since the drag is still slightly moving, absorbing stress away from the line. I would say that the difference is night and day, with the carbon washers the ATD drag functions like any other shitty drag, let me explain. When pressure is being put on the carbon drag, it "sticks". If you have it set to 1kg of stopping power, it will ONLY move if the line experiences at least 1kg of pulling power. Imagine it like this when you play a fish: The drag Sticks and doesn't move.... sticks..... sticks.... sticks..... then BAM the fish pulls enough to reach your drag setting and the drag starts SURGING, "BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ" as if you have no drag at all. There is no nuance, no extra stopping power that hinders the fish from rushing. It only moves at atleast 1kg of pulling power, and then just continues moving at the same constant rate until the fish stops. This feels even more awful when you make a hookset, if you don't have a very high drag setting then your arms and rod will end up behind your head, since once you go over the set drag power your arms will just continue moving since the drag has no more stopping power to give. As i stated in the TLDR section, the only time where carbon washers is a better option is when you're fishing for giant fish that rushes and pulls A LOT of drag over an extend period as the carbon washers are much more durable. But for essentially every other type of fishing felt is superior as it gives you way more sensitivity and "finesse". That's my two cents, consider this a sort of "warning" if you will to the reality that is carbon washers. If you happen to personally like the way that carbon drags feel, then that's fine, but in more objective terms the felt washers just work better. Thanks for reading this "essay". Hope you learned something, and maybe you even reconsidered into not ordering carbon washers or perhaps changing reel entirely!
I Agree. Very accurate explanation. I mainly use a Daiwa reel for the type of fishing that I do and switching to a shimano reel if I only feel I need to use thinner polyester lines due to shimano offers small reels and shallower spools. I always prefer Daiwa's ATD drag performance, it is my benchmark in some test that I do. Especially I do light games and drag performance is really on the top of my priority. I was surprised the new 2022 Soare BB models from shimano comes with Carbon Drag washers even the 500 series. I immediately swapped it with original shimano felt from Hedgehog after using it a few times. The stock drag for me was really unpredictable, it even do a over surge sometimes in a middle of the fight which causing my line to slack and lose the rod bend
Personally don't any problems with either of materials or marketing terms companies use to describe one thing or another. This particular video was more pointed towards those people who are not happy with their reels drag performance. Some Daiwa LT series reels/sizes had/has serious problems where drag is bad due to stickiness and replacing washers to carbon ones I've found improved a lot. In any case, thanks for detailed explanation!
Hi Andrew . Considering our reels are practically the same . Am i right in saying that the size i need is 22x12x0.7mm for the drag washers ? I will leave a message with the seller that they was recommended by you on your channel .
Hey, Your mentioned 22x12 mm. would not fit Ballistic 2000 LT for sure because your suggested internal diameter is too small as those reels have aluminum washer with 4 uprights (please watch the vid again). Basically, all LT reels I checked (Fuego 2000, 2500 and Ballistic 2000) do take 22.5x14.5 mm. washers. As for the thickess, I would say it's safer to go with 0.5 mm. because bail has very little tolerance when opening it and drag is slack on smaller reels (for example 2000 size can have issue with 0.8 mm. thick washers BUT 2500 is fine with 0.8 mm. washers). Still, all above said, please measure yourself and don't trust what I said because you are looking to pimp different reel. Hope this helps. Cheers
@@AndrewsKnots Cheers for your reply Andrew . Im not seeing the sizes you mentioned on the links you gave . I was guessing it to the nearest size they had . I was gonna measure them before ordering but the links you gave dont seem to have the sizes you mentioned (22.5x14.5 mm) .
Yes, closest to that size, just you have to think if it will fit.. For example for my Daiwa LT reels I ordered 21x14x0.5 mm. and they are great. As here tiny.cc/wsbvkz Cheers
@@AndrewsKnots Excellent Andrew . Cheers for that . My Cals drag grease come today . I must , its very good . I will leave a message with the seller letting them know i ordered because of you and your channel .
This video is from 2020. Can anyone speak on the improvements made with Daiwa's newly released ATD (advanced tournament drag) system? Is this process still an improvement considering Daiwa's new ATD? They apparently use a special drag grease with variable viscosity. If using the same drag Daiwa grease would it still be an improvement to add carbon fiber washers? What drag washers do they even use in the 2022 release Daiwa's with ATD?
Hello i watch all your upgrade videos for Daiwa reel after i see the first video i upgrade the bearings of my Fuego reel Knob handle. Now after watch this im going to upgrade the drag washer.But I'd be very interested in how to upgrade the bearing of the Daiwa Fuego line roller. Please can you help me!?
Andrew's Knots Any serious problem but i watch another video from other channel that he change the plastic bearing with metal bearing of the line roller and the reel work smother than before. But the guy of other channel block the comments section so i cant contact with him. Im interested to find the size or the series of this bearing. Thank you my friend for your time.
@@gentleman.angler I replaced that ballbearing in line roler. And now its unbeliveable good, its always so smooth. Dimension of that ballbearing for line roler is 3x6x2,5 mm. You can find that pice on Alliexpress for less than 1$. Important thing is that only you must remove plastic colar with little metal pice and put ballbearing instead of that. And to make evrything work perfectly you must order 2 metal miniature washers with exactly this dimensions 3x5x0,3 mm and place them on both sides of the ballbearing. if you need help finding and assembling these things you can contact me, I will help you. the same goes for you Andrew
You will loose ATD once you replace the drag felt washer to carbon washer since ATD is result of ATD drag grease. Not sure if ATD grease would work with carbon drag washers.
Hey question? Is it necessary to lubricate or grease the drag washers I always thought to keep them clean then once someone told me to use a dab of break oil, as they work like a brake system, I thought in that particular way aswell if you think about it compresses down for them disc to slow and tighten the drag, won't grease or oil make them work oddly or if you don't grease them can they burn up on a heavy fish. I've always cleaned them out. Never had a issue what's your thought??
I have a daiwa emeraldas reel the drag seems to work just fine to me. Could you suggest me a few tests that can prove that? Overall it hasnt failed me at any point , and because of that reel i have trust in the daiwa atd drag system. ( the daiwa emeraldas model that i have is not a part of daiwa's lt reels)
If it works ok and is smooth, you don't need to upgrade it. Probably the best test as at the start of the video (let the reel drop whilst holding the line); it should be smooth.
@@AndrewsKnots well did that thing and it rolls down pretty smooth and consistent soo i guess it has a good drag system . Ain't so surprised since its for eging a style of fishing that requires extremely good drag system .
"people think you need to spread the grease with your thumb, I don't think I need too" The whole point of grease is to impregnate the washer with grease so salt can't.
@@AndrewsKnots Thats the only difference i could see on the specs info . I dont fish salt yet so wasnt any need for magseal for me . I got them because the colours match my rods . Ive also got the 2500 size coming this week too . They are super light weight . Bearing upgrades for spool would also be good video . AliExpress has some good cheap bearings . I saw your video on changing bushings for bearings . That was a great watch . Maybe a bearing cleaning video to get rid of the gunky grease and lubricate with a light oil . Now that would be cool .
Albert i repair reels these washers are excellent just measure your washers inside your spool it will make your reel feel absolutely awesome and yes they work on any type of reel as long as you measure them correctly ALIEN
I don't have the reel in question myself BUT very big chance that the size will the same as mentioned in the video (valid for Fuegos, Ballistics and even Luvias). Cheers
Hi Andrew, do you know if swapping the oiled felt to carbon washers compromises the functionality of Daiwas "ATD" drag system? ATD stands for "Automatic tournament drag" I believe, and works in the way that if your drag is set to 2kg, the drag will still move if lighter and slow pressure is being put on the drag by either you or the fish, but when you pull hard and fast on the drag its full power setting activates. So when you set the hook or when the fish rushes the drag uses its current highest power setting, and when gentle and slow pressure is being exerted it can still move, this is what makes Daiwas ATD drag so smooth. So my worry is that could it be possible that carbon washers will lessen or maybe even completely remove this feature, what are your thoughts? Here are two videos demonstrating how it works: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wm83OU8PqlQ.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_kuOSnB424c.html
@@fadelover123 is that so? Interesting... Is there anywhere one can read about it as I'm very curious as to how it works? I have ball bearings and carbon washers being delivered to me, I will experiment with some form of scale to measure if the ATD function is still there after swapping out the felt. Anyhow, thank you for the reply!
@@AndrewsKnots Hei, you have destroyed the ATD Functinality of the reel, the new drag washer material and the spesial type of grease makes the ATD system, so the grease you put is Wrong. Daiwa doesnt sell this grease only hitena, with 4 different types of ATD grease, the UTD from the other hand is a complete other type of grease, read under and you will understand: 1. Another key feature of the new Saltiga spinner is the “automatic drag system” or ATD in short. Daiwa’s ATD uses a new drag washer material and a new grease that not only dissipates heat quickly but also enables the reel to apply smooth and consistent start up drag pressure right from the start. For example, if the reel’s drag pressure is set to 7kg, there is very little variation in the initial start up drag to achieve a consistent 7kg drag pressure compared to the previous generation UTD drag system. 2. What is ATD ? ATD or Automatic Tournament Drag is a new introduction into Daiwa spinning reels. A major drawback with many drag systems is that they are not smooth at the beginning of the drag, ATD rectifies this issue. ATD works like this, at the beginning of a strike the drag starts smoothly, then increases to its pre-set drag rating in a fraction of a second, thus eliminating line breakage at the strike.
