The reel drag must allow the line to flow off as smooth as silk with no jerking or hesitation. Drags that jerk under the tension of a running fish cause the hook to tear in the fish s mouth and many times rip loose. This bouncing action is also very tough on the knots tied into the terminal tackle, especially on the hook knot. Also, for casting, the reel must have a free spool that unwinds breathlessly and continuously. Many times you have to cast for distance and in doing so the free spool must handle a vigorous physical casting motion without back lashing.
Most back lashes occur when the angler tries to overpower a cast.
A smooth free spool allows a maximum distance cast without the overpowering physical motion usually associated with the dreaded back lash. Aside from all the above, the reel should have many spool rotations of retrieve to each turn of the handle. This is a personal requirement of mine because I like to throw small, very light jigs. It s much easier to impart certain rod movements to the jig to make it swim better. You can turn the handle slowly but maintain a somewhat fast retrieve, which makes the jig swim better for some fish.