One of the classic symbols of offshore fishing is the lever-drag reel. Penn Internationals, and Shimano Tiagras are typical examples of this type of reel. Other entries include models from Accurate, Everol, Avet and Okuma.

Historically, star drag reels are more commonly used inshore, or with light-tackle offshore enthusiasts. Representative of this type of reel are the Shimano Trinidads, Diawa Saltigas, Penn 500GS series, or the various large baitcasting reels like the Shimano Calcutta 400s and 700s However, with the increasing use of Spectra as backing, star-drag reels (and spinning reels, for that matter) are becoming more common sights in blue water.

When is one type of reel more appropriate than the other? There have been a couple of magazine articles and internet discussion threads over the last couple of years that have discussed this point. Here is a summary of the consensus:

Lever Drag Reels...
Pros	Cons
Have bigger, more powerful drags Allow the fisherman to make continuous, repeatable adjustments to the drag while fishing or fighting a fish Have two-speed models available for heavy lifting Require less drag maintenance compared to star drag systems	Are usually heavier Are typically more expensive

Star Drag Reels...
Pros	Cons
Are typically lighter Are typically less expensive than a lever drag reel.	Have drag systems that can not generate as much drag as lever drag reels Require more drag maintenance than lever drag reels  Should not have the drag settings adjusted or changed during a fight. Are only single-speed reels. Some manufacturers install extra long handles with bigger grips (see the Shimano Trinidad / Toriums and the Daiwa Saltigas, for example) to give the fishermen more leverage during a fight, reducing the need for two speed reels.

"Conventional wisdom" holds that lever dag reels:

• Do not cast as well as star drag reels, due to the extra mass of the drag washers (which are attached directly to the spool). This is changing, however. Accurate, Avet and Shimano now have lever drag reels designed to be cast, and the other will follow shortly, I'm sure. However, it does appear that the majority of lever drag reels are ment to be used for trolling instead of casting.
  
  
• Have lower speed gear ratios  - a "fast" lever drag reel might have only a 4.0:1 gear ratio. This is also changing, as almost all lever drag reel manufacturers now offer lever drag reels with high gear ratios (at least 5:0:1). The Accurate X series, the Shimano Torsa and the Shimano Tyrnos, the Okuma Titus Gold and several Avet reels all have high speed gear ratios. But again, in general, the majority of lever drag reels have a 4:0:1 gear ratio or less. 

We currently have an Accurate Boss Magnum Twin Drag 870 , a Shimano TLD15, and two Shimano Toriums (20 and 30) as test beds.The lever drag reels are loaded with 30 lb mono topshots over 50 lb PowerPro braid. The Shimano Torium 20 has 25 lb mono over 50 lb PowerPro, the 30 has 40 lb mono over 50 lb PowerPro.

The Toriums and TLD are mid-range reels price-wise; the Accurate is more towards the high end. None are the "latest-and-greatest", but are representative of the workshorse reels most of us are likely to buy.

We've fished these reels in a variety of situations, using the lever drag reels to cast lures and live bait, as well as trolling duties, and vice versa for the star drag reels.

So far, our experiences confirm the consensus and "conventional wisdom" points above. Of course, we have to qualify this by saying that we have not had a chance to try any of the new high-speed or designed-for-casting lever drag reels.

A couple of interesting points: