Friday Product Review - Hatch Reels

For a Fly Reel review this week we are looking at Hatch, these are a solid made reel with a super smooth drag system. The Reel is one solid housing that is machined out of one piece of metal, the reel foot is not screwed onto the reel like many reels on the market. Hatch makes a solid product and it is Made in the U.S.A. Fishing these reels is a delight, not to mention they come in several color combinations. Come check them out we have several sizes colors here at the shop. Here is some information on their drag system off the Hatch Website listed below. 

http://www.hatchoutdoors.com/reels1

STACKED DISC DRAG
The majority of the drags on the market today incorporate what we call one to one surface contact. meaning that one surface (metal) is driven or drawn toward another surface (cork, plastic, carbon fiber, graphite, etc.). Hatch reels take a completely different approach by incorporating a stacked disc drag. The discs are made up of a combination of stainless steel and Rulon®, and positioned in a stacked configuration.

Notice that you have braking surface on both sides of the stainless steel discs. 6 surfaces on the 3 Plus, 8 on the 5 Plus, 10 on the 7 and 9 Plus and 14 surfaces on the 12 Plus. Since braking pressure is happening to both sides simultaneously, the material wears evenly.

EBS (EFFECTIVE BRAKING SURFACE)
EBS is measured by the surface contact area of one disc times the number
of surfaces it contacts. Each Size reel has it's own unique disc size and combination. The size and number of discs determines the EBS in square inches. Now this explanation is way oversimplified, but it's a start.

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT?
• More surface area makes for a smoother, more durable drag and
  virtually eliminates start up inertia.

• Heat distribution occurs over multiple surfaces, rather than one to
  one contact, thereby eliminating stick slip problems caused by
  extreme heat in high-speed runs.

• Disc materials require NO lubrication or maintenance.