Max Drag with Freespool - Torque or Saltiga?

[bryanebai]

Hello,

I want to upgrade my 60# two-speed reel to a Torque 40n or Saltiga 55. Can either or both get at least 20# of drag at strike out of the box before losing freespool? Seeing mixed information about this for the Torque, and I know I’m definitely not getting that much on my FTH40NLD2. Thanks for the input!

 

[tunanorth]

Since I am still a "Covid Shut-In" [Vaccine appointment tomorrow!], I had time to check this.
First grabbed my personal TRQ40NLD2, last serviced in March 2019; and totally "stock".
In just a straight-pull test it easily achieved 22 pounds at Strike; I assume that mounted on a flexed rod with the line running through the guides, it would add at least another pound or two. Freespool was totally unfettered.
Should add that I don't usually fish these reels at those higher settings. Normally I go with 15-17 pounds for bait with circle hooks, and 18-19 pounds with jigs when using 60-pound topshots.

 

[bryanebai]

Thanks for your reply and congrats on getting an appointment for the vaccine! I would like to be able to set drag to 15-20# at strike, but with the FTH40NLD2, I started losing freespool around 12#. I thought it was just the particular reel I had, but after taking it back to the shop, getting it serviced, and eventually replaced, I'm only able to get the replacement to around 14# at strike before the freespool is impacted. Seems consistent with what other BDers are experiencing with theirs without any modifications.

Is the TRQ40NLD2 designed to be able to achieve higher drag than its FTH counterpart without affecting free spool? I imagine with the better materials/tighter tolerances, the TRQ's are more likely to outperform FTH's, but it's interesting that you're able to achieve the same drag results between the two.

 

[tunanorth]

Thanks for your reply and congrats on getting an appointment for the vaccine! I would like to be able to set drag to 15-20# at strike, but with the FTH40NLD2, I started losing freespool around 12#. I thought it was just the particular reel I had, but after taking it back to the shop, getting it serviced, and eventually replaced, I'm only able to get the replacement to around 14# at strike before the freespool is impacted. Seems consistent with what other BDers are experiencing with theirs without any modifications.

Is the TRQ40NLD2 designed to be able to achieve higher drag than its FTH counterpart without affecting free spool? I imagine with the better materials/tighter tolerances, the TRQ's are more likely to outperform FTH's, but it's interesting that you're able to achieve the same drag results between the two.

That is definitely not normal with FTH40NLD2's.
I know that at least one of those reels that was underperforming went back to the factory, and was found to have some parts assembled in the wrong sequence.
As noted, since I already had the Rapala scale hanging from my stairway railing [almost the same way I hang it from the boat railing on the way out!], I grabbed one of my loaner FTH40NLD2's that has received some rough treatment, and had also not been factory serviced since March 2019.
Again it easily got 22 pounds at Strike with total freespool.
Factory spec is 23 pounds, but didn't go any further than the 22.
There is one other trick you may try that mirrors what some of the boats do, who use FTH's for their "loaners".
They just tell the [usually novice] anglers to treat the "Full" position as Strike.
Generally in their excitement, novices just push right past the indent anyway.
Doing this loses you some of the top end, so it would depend on exactly how much drag you would want at "Sunset".
Setting it at 20 pounds at "Full" would mean you would probably get 24-25-ish at Sunset.

 

[bryanebai]

That is definitely not normal with FTH40NLD2's.
I know that at least one of those reels that was underperforming went back to the factory, and was found to have some parts assembled in the wrong sequence.
As noted, since I already had the Rapala scale hanging from my stairway railing [almost the same way I hang it from the boat railing on the way out!], I grabbed one of my loaner FTH40NLD2's that has received some rough treatment, and had also not been factory serviced since March 2019.
Again it easily got 22 pounds at Strike with total freespool.
Factory spec is 23 pounds, but didn't go any further than the 22.
There is one other trick you may try that mirrors what some of the boats do, who use FTH's for their "loaners".
They just tell the [usually novice] anglers to treat the "Full" position as Strike.
Generally in their excitement, novices just push right past the indent anyway.
Doing this loses you some of the top end, so it would depend on exactly how much drag you would want at "Sunset".
Setting it at 20 pounds at "Full" would mean you would probably get 24-25-ish at Sunset.

Good to know, I appreciate the detailed response. Is factory spec for the TRQ40NLD2 also 23# at strike? That would more than cover what i'm trying to do with the reel.

 

[tunanorth]

Good to know, I appreciate the detailed response. Is factory spec for the TRQ40NLD2 also 23# at strike? That would more than cover what i'm trying to do with the reel.

Correct.

 

[hucklongfin]

My Saltiga 40ld2 has no problems getting 17# at strike with a 50# leader. I’m assuming 20# would be fine too.

 

[bryanebai]

My Saltiga 40ld2 has no problems getting 17# at strike with a 50# leader. I’m assuming 20# would be fine too.

Awesome, is that the older model or the new one? I’d appreciate any hands on feedback on the new 2 speeds.

 

[hucklongfin]

Awesome, is that the older model or the new one? I’d appreciate any hands on feedback on the new 2 speeds.

It's the older silver/blue model.

 

[Tugboat64]

Thanks for your reply and congrats on getting an appointment for the vaccine! I would like to be able to set drag to 15-20# at strike, but with the FTH40NLD2, I started losing freespool around 12#. I thought it was just the particular reel I had, but after taking it back to the shop, getting it serviced, and eventually replaced, I'm only able to get the replacement to around 14# at strike before the freespool is impacted. Seems consistent with what other BDers are experiencing with theirs without any modifications.

Is the TRQ40NLD2 designed to be able to achieve higher drag than its FTH counterpart without affecting free spool? I imagine with the better materials/tighter tolerances, the TRQ's are more likely to outperform FTH's, but it's interesting that you're able to achieve the same drag results between the two.

Never had that issue before with any fathoms, like Steve said he’s the go to guy for any penn stuff but that’s not right for only 12-15lbs of drag at strike. Maybe you can check to see how much grease is in some areas? I know with some of my reels that totally affects the drag at strike in a Jurassic way. Just an idea. And if you had to get a brand new reel serviced, I would be going back wanting a refund on that from the service shop, and if you got the receipt try and exchange the fathom for another one. Should not have to spend 50+ dollars to service a brand new reel..

 

[bryanebai]

Never had that issue before with any fathoms, like Steve said he’s the go to guy for any penn stuff but that’s not right for only 12-15lbs of drag at strike. Maybe you can check to see how much grease is in some areas? I know with some of my reels that totally affects the drag at strike in a Jurassic way. Just an idea. And if you had to get a brand new reel serviced, I would be going back wanting a refund on that from the service shop, and if you got the receipt try and exchange the fathom for another one. Should not have to spend 50+ dollars to service a brand new reel..

I used the first one a handful of times before getting it serviced. When it was still not freespooling right, they reached out to Penn and got me a replacement. The second one is an improvement, but I can definitely notice the spool slow down once I get over around 15# of drag at strike.

 

[Tugboat64]

I used the first one a handful of times before getting it serviced. When it was still not freespooling right, they reached out to Penn and got me a replacement. The second one is an improvement, but I can definitely notice the spool slow down once I get over around 15# of drag at strike.

Still doesn’t seem right.. not sure what it could be my only advice would be check the greasing around the drag washers perhaps because I’ve had reels with to much grease get 8lbs of drag when it’s supposed to max out at 30 something, or the same thing happene with to little grease

 

[bryanebai]

Still doesn’t seem right.. not sure what it could be my only advice would be check the greasing around the drag washers perhaps because I’ve had reels with to much grease get 8lbs of drag when it’s supposed to max out at 30 something, or the same thing happene with to little grease

Thanks, I’ll have to find a good tutorial online since I don’t really know what too much grease vs. too little looks like. I’m the guy who drops his reels off at the shop at the end of the season and let’s the pros do their thing, haha.

 

[Tugboat64]

Thanks, I’ll have to find a good tutorial online since I don’t really know what too much grease vs. too little looks like. I’m the guy who drops his reels off at the shop at the end of the season and let’s the pros do their thing, haha.

Nothing wrong with that, I've only ever hand serviced a few reels myself so I can only speak on what I've seen and experienced while doing it.

 

[bryanebai]

Nothing wrong with that, I've only ever hand serviced a few reels myself so I can only speak on what I've seen and experienced while doing it.

Just wanted to confirm, were you getting over 20# of drag on the Fathom at the first stop where it’s marked strike or at the button? I took it back to the shop and was told that what I’m experiencing is normal and that I should treat the button (marked “full”) as strike, and go into sunset if I need more drag. I was easily able to get 20#+ drag at the button without any impact to free spool.

 

[Tugboat64]

.

 

[Tugboat64]

Just wanted to confirm, were you getting over 20# of drag on the Fathom at the first stop where it’s marked strike or at the button? I took it back to the shop and was told that what I’m experiencing is normal and that I should treat the button (marked “full”) as strike, and go into sunset if I need more drag. I was easily able to get 20#+ drag at the button without any impact to free spool.

I don’t fish a fathom, only a torque but already knowing they have the same drag system, I can say that my torque 40 had 24lbs of drag before I PERSOBAKKY noticed a free spool change, maybe for some it may be a crucial change but for me I could still fly line a sardine or throw a jig no problem (26 with bend in rod)

 

[bryanebai]

I don’t fish a fathom, only a torque but already knowing they have the same drag system, I can say that my torque 40 had 24lbs of drag before I PERSOBAKKY noticed a free spool change, maybe for some it may be a crucial change but for me I could still fly line a sardine or throw a jig no problem (26 with bend in rod)

I guess I'm just trying to understand whether folks are really able to achieve 22-23#+ of drag at the first indent, which Penn calls "strike," or if they are reporting the drag they are getting at the button, which Penn calls "full." Just a bit confusing because on other reels, including my International, "full" is past the button.

 

[chilidip]

I have both but have not yet tested this. The Saltiga 55 is advertised to have 45lbs of max drag pressure so pretty darn near positive it can get at least 20 lbs without losing freespool.

 

[bryanebai]

I have both but have not yet tested this. The Saltiga 55 is advertised to have 45lbs of max drag pressure so pretty darn near positive it can get at least 20 lbs without losing freespool.

I was able to confirm this weekend. Cranking up the drag had zero impact on the Saltiga 55 freespool. The limiting factor was being able to push the lever into gear, but I easily got to 32# of drag at strike.

I also tested out a third FTH40NLD2 (my buddies) and got the same results. 11-12# at strike and 22-23# at full before the free spool started to slow down. I'm starting to think the factory spec of 23# is referring to Full rather than Strike.