what's the difference between front & rear drags
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Don't know the details of the Symetre rear drag, but a few points to consider:
* the rear drag MAY (you need to check this) allow you to change the spool without having to reset the drag;
* this is countered by the rarity with which you change spools and the general advice to back off drags when storing reels, to reduce wear;
* a small drag will initially work well but will heat up more easily and wear more easily. Threadlines have proportionally smaller drags than other reels so you don't want to go smaller than you need to. You need to check how the front and rear options compare
* the rear drag MAY (you need to check this) allow you to change the spool without having to reset the drag;
* this is countered by the rarity with which you change spools and the general advice to back off drags when storing reels, to reduce wear;
* a small drag will initially work well but will heat up more easily and wear more easily. Threadlines have proportionally smaller drags than other reels so you don't want to go smaller than you need to. You need to check how the front and rear options compare
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Hiya Jeffo, I think general consensus amongst the fishing world is that rear drags suck for the reasons Dodge mentioned. I like em though and use the Shimano IX R 4000 entry level reels which are el cheapo's (on special can be as low as $19.99). They've worked for me on the stuff I target, but for bigger snapper and mulloway they may cost me a fish one day. Until then I'll stick with em, then probaly get an Alvey. My reel maintenance is also crap..but at that price I don't have to feel guilty about that or dropping em overboard. Mostly I like them because I troll the lures behind me and can easily find the drag to adjust when the rods are behind me. In winter I often wear a pair of neoprene gloves which hinder my sense of touch, so a bulky drag to grab is a bonus. For around $20-25 bucks you could probably buy one just to put a rear drag on trial for yourself. 
I also use several of those IX R 4000 reels, I like the fact that they're made of graphite so no corrosion from the salt. I also get pretty slack with reel maintenance & have had no probs with 'em. Mostly I love the Quickfire trigger for holding the line and flipping the bail arm over for casting with one hand. Pretty damn good for the price!!PoddyMullet said:
Even though the rear drag is often more exposed to the briny when sitting in flushmount rodholders (drag knob sits on or close to the deck) behind me, I've never seen any sign of water damage when pullong drag set-up apart.
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