I have never used this reel but it could be the spring washers that provide tension to the drag disks. If they flatten over time all the drag adjustment is lost. If you have a schematic look for them.
I have taken them before and carefully squeeze one at a time with a pair of channel locks. Make sure they are placed correctly when reinstalling.
I hope this is helpful.

 

I found this on an internet search, it's a model #1355, don't know if that's right. It doesn't use the concave washers I was thinking of but a split tension washer #1771. I would look at it and if it is flat try pulling it out, giving it more spring, or see if a replacement is available. Good luck

 

Could be a little too much grease or the stack isn't tall enough with the carbon fiber washer installed...just a guess

As popular as those were...I'd assume they'd be capable of 15lbs of drag at least but I may be way off on that

 

Thanks for the replies guys I'll check the thickness and clean any excess grease off & try again

 

I did some checking also Osage. I would say the reel would have 15 pounds of drag AT MOST. With just the one drag washer I can’t see it having more than that.

Here is a video you may not have seen.

I like this guys videos but I think he uses way too much drag grease. I was taught to use just enough to cause a finger print when touched. Any more gets squeezed out and wasted.

it does have the typical spring washer he refers to as a pressure washer. The pressure washer won’t effect max pressure but allows pressure to be applied more gradually making it easier to set. Without the pressure washer, the drag would essentially just be on or off with very little adjustment. The spring washer (typically just a bent washer) can be re-bent SLIGHTLY if necessary. Keep in mind the bend is just a slight bend.

Spokey makes a good point that the new washer may be thinner than the old one. If you kept the old one I would check it and maybe try it to see if there is a difference in drag. It could be that it would take two of the carbon fiber washers to get the thickness needed although on the Abu reels the carbon fiber disks look to be slightly thicker. That all depends on the original tolerances.

tight lines

 

That video is actually what got me interested in these reels so it's funny you shared that but they actually use two drag washers

 

After a second look I saw that. The Abu reels have a disk much smaller than the drag disks that goes under the main gear. I guess that is why my two brain cells passed over it.

I have watched several of this guys videos. Great videos for understanding the parts but for me he doesn’t clean parts well enough by removing all old grease and then he add too much new grease. But, that is just me.

good luck with your reel.

 

You can also try the drag disk without any grease. On some reels that will make a difference. To totally clean the grease off use brake pad cleaner.

 

Thanks for the ideas & help. I'm definitely going to take some break cleaner to it try running them dry without any grease and see if I can increase the drag some don't know if it'd be possible but if there's room for a third drag washer I may add it depends how thick I should have took my micrometer and verified they were the same thickness as the original bakelite drag washers that were in the reel

 

I just removed the drag washers and cleaned them off with brake cleaner and the drag is considerably stronger at least twice as strong. Thanks everyone!

 

Glad that helped Osage. I read an article some time back that said the affect on each model of reel could be different. Some greased is better and some dry is better.

 

I've only rebuilt Penn and Ocean City reels. No lube on the drag washers.

 

In the future I am going to run them dry unless I have issues on different reels.

I am new to using the carbon fiber washers and in my research before had the majority of cases I read grease was recommended so initially I thought I was doing a good thing but in my case it wasn't. I'm thankful I found out on a fish this size and not something bigger or I'd have had to thumb the spool to get him in.

Appreciate the advice guys you all came through for me

 

I recently bought a vintage Pflueger Rocket off eBay. It was in new unused condition in the original 1960's box. Before using it I took it apart replaced the bakelite drag washers with carbon fiber washers, lightly greased them and serviced the reel with fresh reel grease and oil

This evening I hooked a 3lb channel cat and had to tighten the drag as tight as possible to keep it from running on me.

Could this be because the grease & fresh washers or would these vintage reels just not have much drag? Was wanting to use this for bigger catfish but now I'm worried it's not up to the task. Anyone else have one of these & if so how's your drag?
Nox Vidmate VLC

I have taken them before and carefully squeeze one at a time with a pair of channel locks. Make sure they are placed correctly when reinstalling.

 

HERBHOME POST ON APR 11, 2022

I have never used this reel but it could be the spring washers that provide tension to the drag disks. If they flatten over time all the drag adjustment is lost. If you have a schematic look for them.
I have taken them before and carefully squeeze one at a time with a pair of channel locks. Make sure they are placed correctly when reinstalling.
I hope this is helpful.

marcosdanis post on Feb 14

I have taken them before and carefully squeeze one at a time with a pair of channel locks. Make sure they are placed correctly when reinstalling.

I only looked at two threads and this is what I noticed.

I smell a rat, maybe a British rat. 🤔😳😳

 

I smell a rat, maybe a British rat. 🤔😳😳

I just noticed it on two more posts. HMMMMM?

 

It seems like your vintage Pflueger Rocket reel may have limited drag capabilities. Even with new carbon fiber washers and fresh grease, these older reels weren't designed to handle high drag pressures.
The maximum drag for vintage Pflueger Rockets is around 12 pounds. So, if you're targeting bigger catfish, you might want to consider using a different reel with a stronger drag system.
However, if you're really attached to using this vintage reel, you could try using a heavier line and/or adjust your fighting technique to compensate for the lower drag.