A good drag system should start playing out line smoothly when a fish takes. You don't want a sticky start followed by a light release of line - this is a sure way to loose a fish. A sticky drag may be remedied by applying neetsfoot oil or Superlube Synthetic Oil to the cork surface. Best long term results are obtained when the oil is applied to the cork surface and left for a few hours to allow the cork to soak up the oil on the surface, thus wetting the cork and creating a drag which will be unaffected by water.

Regular maintenance

Lubrication: Parts will begin to squeak, corrode and stick after use, especially in a saltwater environment. Make sure that you rinse off your reel under a tap after use. Shake off any excess water and allow the reel and line to dry in a ventilated area before packing away. Do not blast the reel dry with high pressure as this only pushes moisture deeper into the reel parts. Once dry add some lubrication to the handle and spindle.