2021 Shimano Complex XR Inconsistent, Sticky Drag Issues. The Fix.

Link to previous video with sticky drag: • First fish with the 20...
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[@sightfish]

Hi Victor! Where did you buy the replacement felt washer? Or what should I search on the internet to find that part? Love the videos!

[@ifishcatfish]

hedgehog studio. The washer itself is dirt cheap, but shipping is expensive. But i usually buy spools and grease and other things from there, and got a bunch of these because they are so cheap

[@oscher8249]

@@ifishcatfish you stated buy original parts , but wouldn’t that just be getting a carbon as well . On hedgehog doesn’t state that they’re felt as oem parts… could you please help with part number for Soare 2000hg also for complex 2000hg. Thank you, just want to make sure getting correct part. Watch your videos gets expensive haha but I prefer getting the great reviews to buy the best options out there. Thanks again

[@ifishcatfish]

Let me know if you think that it's OK that Shimano put a carbon washer in this reel. On one hand, felt washers are cheap. On the other, if you don't have one, you still have to order from Japan, you have to make sure you get the right size, you need some grease... it is still a headache...

[@bobjohnson7207]

I know in The bicycle world Shimano bicycle chains are made by KMC in Taiwan with their name stamped on it. For this they charge you twice as much. I've got a feeling that the outsource the carbon washers otherwise they look like the fishing rod if they were true Shimano.

[@quanloikid1]

@@bobjohnson7207 I'm sure you're right. I bought a 14"x14" piece carbon fiber matting from AliExpress for $11 about 2 years ago and made a half dozen washers. I bought 0.5mm to match the cloth diameter washer and it has worked well. I can still make another 20 from my sheet. If you shoot a commie with federal or PMC 5.56mm ammo...what's the difference? Thank Doc 1/5 Cav RVN 69-70

[@christinesaukam714]

Does this remedy crossover to say, the Shimano Exsence 4000?

[@ifishcatfish]

My exsence doesn't have this problem

[@jimpeterson3806]

I finally ordered some of these felt washers. Did you have to sandwich two of them together or did one suffice?

[@ifishcatfish]

it kind of works with one, but when u see them u will understand why i said it. The carbon is twice as thick. But you can tighten the knob a few extra turns and it kind of works.. I didn't fish too long but i did fish it once with just one and didn't see a problem for about 3 hours..

[@jimpeterson3806]

@@ifishcatfish perfect! I'll start there and add another one if needed 👍👍

[@AlinJapan]

I had no idea that a carbon washer could sound so bad--as you say it really does make sense most of the time not to "improve" higher-end 1000 size reels with extra bearings or carbon washers. Funny how the cheaper option (felt) is the better option here.

[@ifishcatfish]

yeah... if felt is good enough for the Vanquish... you should put it in this reel. If someone wants to fight big fish, they will get the 2500 size, although, if you ask me even there i would prefer felt. But people use 2500 size for a lot of things, so I wouldn't argue if they put carbon washer in a 2500 size reel

[@ekkasitchivakanit6224]

If I need to change my complex XR drag washers, can I replace a vanquish washers for my XR? It gonna be the white one like you?

[@ifishcatfish]

Vanquish, Vanford, Ultegra... all the washers are the same. Just don't put heavy grease. Very light grease. If you don't have light grease just use heavy oil. Oil is good enough.

[@troutmagnetman]

I never checked the drag on the XR I had……I do know my nephew has been catching a ton of 20 inch trout on it and he has no issues with it…but then again he would not notice it with the heavier 7.5# test line he is using on that reel…..he’s not really an UL angler….LOL. For years the school of thought on drag washers for UL reels is they should be felt…..not enough heat generated to require the use of carbon. I have swapped out quite a few washers in my arsenal of reels with carbon…..and I have no issues at all. What I consider to be the smoothest…best drag system I have seen on any reel is the multi carbon stacked drag on the MGX Theta 1000S by Abu Garcia. Now I tried a carbon washer in the Presso Limited 1000 and for whatever reason it would not work correctly in that reel…..so back in went the felt…..go figure.

[@ifishcatfish]

i got multiple reports that the 2500 size has felt in it. But the 2000 size got carbon. That is extremely strange. The stock drag in this reel definitely sucks. Maybe carbon with a finer texture would have done better..

[@troutmagnetman]

@@ifishcatfish I saw that and that is odd.

[@paulmackesy51]

I have both the 2000 and 2500. Just checked and the 2000 has carbon and the 2500 has a felt washer

[@ifishcatfish]

Thanks for letting me and the folks who read the comments know. I dont know how that makes sense, but its a fact as several people confirmed that.

[@abcJ-q4v]

which drag u like better?

[@eliasabrahamsotochaparro1475]

Hola buenas tardes, donde compro el fieltro ?

[@ifishcatfish]

no speako hospanico senior

[@eftalkurt]

Vanquish 2023 c2000s durocross washers compatible with soare xr 2000sspg ?

[@ifishcatfish]

excellent question and YES THEY DO!

[@eftalkurt]

​@@ifishcatfish How many i need it ?(123 Drag washer (A) 100B7) DAIWA ULTIMATE TOURNAMENT DRAG GREASE is good to use with these washers ?

[@ifishcatfish]

@@eftalkurt read the grease description. Don't buy grease made for carbon. Buy grease made for felt

[@eftalkurt]

@@ifishcatfish should i use 2 piece washer cause of made by felt ?

[@ifishcatfish]

@@eftalkurt I would buy a bunch of them, because once u pay shipping, they are cheap. Then use one first, if not enough, use one more

[@quanloikid1]

I have the F4 and it came very noisy and was disappointing at first. The drag was as smooth as silk from the beginning and after 2 or 3 times use the reel became smooth as silk. I opened the spool and looked at the drag and it is well greased carbon. However it appears thinner than the one in yours. Could the problem be the thickness of the washer? It's hard to imagine but could it be?

[@ifishcatfish]

OK, that is too much for my brain to reconcile... just... I can't explain this..

[@quanloikid1]

@@ifishcatfish Just use an emery board on the carbon fiber washer , regrease it and you'll know

[@4x4oldskool]

I agree.. although it still doesn’t feel like a felt washer, it does feel way smoother than before. I ran my carbon washer across a 4000 grit knife sharpening stone a few times on each side. Regreased and reinstalled. Feels so much better but still not compared to a felt drag washer. But it is good enough for me.

[@Yelladog78]

I know I'm in the minority today but I prefer PTFE drag washers found in Basspro Catmaxx reels over carbontex type. PTFE doesn't need grease or oil as it's self lubricating and to me stay smooth longer after several hard fights

[@ifishcatfish]

dont know what these are, but not fan of carbontex

[@Yelladog78]

@@ifishcatfish they're in your catmaxx baitcaster you made a video on. They look like plastic but they're not

[@xCruZChaos]

Hi Victor. I've been looking at buying a Complex XR for light walleye fishing, and wow am I glad I found your videos on the sticky drag/carbon drag situation. I was pretty much set on trying the 2000 F4 Complex XR (my other reels are 2500). However, after seeing your videos on the subject and reading some comments, I won't even bother with the 2000 F4, I will just get a 2500 F6 instead as it apparently has a felt washer instead of carbon like the 2000 does. I know I could just buy the 2000 and change the carbon to felt like you did here, but I like 2500 sized reels for my style of fishing anyways and don't really want to bother with the hassle. Still though... what the hell is Shimano doing by putting a carbon drag washer in a 2000 sized reel? It just doesn't make sense, even if you were to use the 2000 complex for bass fishing. It is completely overkill, considering the 2000 only puts out a max of what, 3 kg of drag pressure? You will literally never see the benefits of a carbon washer in a reel that small, and as you have shown, it actually ruins the drag on the reel. In my opinion, there is absolutely no need for a carbon drag washer in any reel smaller than 3000.

[@ifishcatfish]

nothing wrong with 2500 for walleye fishing. Probably better than 2000. Shimano Soare XR has carbon also

[@babanu65]

what rod is that?

[@ifishcatfish]

Belezza Prototype, by graphiteleader. Check my last two videos.

[@niveknivek4563]

Love the "$1 dollar man" voice lol

[@tailslapexplore6887]

I think because this reel is meant for bass fishing that is why they're using carbon, just bought the complex 2500f6 from digitaka. :)

[@ifishcatfish]

i think u right

[@abcJ-q4v]

is it felt or carbon?

[@davidrauschenbach6871]

Victor you made me curious! I have the Complex 2500 F6, I opened the spool and it came with a felt washer! And yep it’s been smooth! Like the reel Better then my girlfriends vanford. It’s not as noisy and smoother. But totally agree with you on anything it depends a lot if you get one made on a good day!

[@ifishcatfish]

WHAT?? How did u get felt in 2500 and i get carbon in 2000???? That is just bonkers..

[@davidrauschenbach6871]

@@ifishcatfish that clip went flying as I was checking to see what drag washer was in it, yep i said Victor! Have a great day

[@Hogwylderr]

What model is that felt drag washer actually for? Trying to figure out the appropriate one to order. Thanks for the video & info as always...

[@ifishcatfish]

Any shimano 1000 or 2000 size reel over 100$ will have the same felt. Even the old stradic CI4+ that is 5 years old has rhe same felt

[@eugenejohnson8635]

How much is that rod

[@ifishcatfish]

Rod? Or reel?

[@slicktyre1]

i still use this reel with the original carbon washer.. i don't have any issue with the drag, load with 1.9lb Gosen 'Answer' Lumina Shine.. i catch Mackerel family, Yellow Tail Scad, False Trevallies etc pair with my MajorCraft Aji-Do rod

[@ifishcatfish]

Good for you.

[@whiskeykilmer1866]

Thanks for the video. There is also a carbon washer in my Soare C2000SSPG. Felt in the Stradic FL C2000S.

[@ifishcatfish]

correct

[@jimscott4552]

From the comments it appears that you opened up a whole new can of worms. It just doesn't make sense, are you sure that you didn't get a Shimano knock-off?.

[@ifishcatfish]

very sure. I bought a second spool for the reel, straight from Japan, so i can switch between braid and polyester. Same drag washer, same sticky drag.

[@aidanlau795]

Felt washers are much better than carbon fibre for finesse drag

[@TrungTran-bc6od]

Oh nice 😮😮

[@Jimmymag909]

i use paintball grease on my reels works awesome...DOW 33

[@ifishcatfish]

a little risky for me, but if you already know it works.. lol : )

[@al.trzy_blu.e]

Felt for freshwater finesse fishing always… good drag grease and properly lubed… 🤷🏻‍♂️ there is nothing finesse about lockdown drag fishing lol save that for the salt 😜

[@Flarito]

It's a pity that Shimano doesn't provide kind of a choice for us - felt washers or carbon washers. Maybe they want us to suffer )

[@kevinteng8426]

It’s design not to be smooth,because it’s a Bass reel….

[@ifishcatfish]

yes, that is correct, surging drag is annoying to ultralight anglers but for bass it allows the drag to pay a lot of line with very little resistance and still be stiff at hook sets

[@chuckgregory9480]

Smooth criminal 😅