Patent ID: 6860442

Claim:
In a fishing reel having a drag mechanism capable of being moved to a drag condition and to a free spool condition, and having the force exerted by said drag mechanism pre-set by turning a knob, the improvement comprising: a locking means to prevent said knob from accidentally turning during use of said reel, said locking means comprising: a radial surface on said knob; said radial surface having balls retained therein and extending therefrom; a transmitting means juxtaposed to said knob and having a radial surface in opposed relation to the radial surface on said knob; said transmitting means radial surface having depressions therein such that when said balls are engaged with said depressions and when the drag lever is moved to said free spool condition, said knob can be easily rotated, or when said reel is in a drag producing condition, said knob is in a locked non-rotating condition.