So I've heard many times that you are supposed to do this, so I've started doing it diligently (especially since I've started investing in some nicer reels). But recently I've started to wonder...should this be done between every trip if I go only once on the weekends? Or is this only a long-term winter storage type thing? I could see how it could be good to loosen the drag regularly, but I could also see how constantly tightening and loosening could maybe be detrimental. Thanks in advance for the advice!

I never do it. Fish way too much for that. I'd forget i loosened it every time i went to set the hook lol

heard it but i dont do it

I only fish in the weekend, and not all weekends, so I keep mine loosened. I only have 2 rods so, yup, that is A LOT of work to keep them loose. It becomes a habit to adjust your rod/reel each Friday night for different lure weights and tactics for the weekend. This helps me stay in tune with my gear and I always know when it is time for some oiling and cleaning. I would not be too aware of this if I had kept everything the same every week.

I think your overthinking this. I have shimano calcuttas purchased in 1992 that the drags still work fine on without ever backing off.

Ideally, the drag should be loose when not in use. I loosen mine at the end of the fishing trip whether it's an afternoon trip or a weekend trip. I typically only take 2 or 3 rods out on the kayak or Bass Raider. I loosen the drag as I put the rod/reels into a rod rack in the garage. It would be a bigger ordeal if you have a dozen setups in a bass boat rod locker.

I do it, don't think it matters much on high end reels say $200+ price point ones but most of my stuff is mid to lower end, its kept some of my cheaper reels working well for almost 15 years rather than having to have them worked on replaced every 5 year like before.

I do it. When I'm unloading rods at the end of a day, I loosen them up before I put them on the rack. Makes it easier to re-string since I retie before every time I go out. I think it extends the life of the reels. It can't hurt

I do that! I think it definitely helps keep the drag smoother.
But I hate it when I forget to set the drag when fishing! Lost fish that way! duh!

I've done this since my 1st baitcaster.

Never done it. Never had a problem.

I fish every weekend so it's not like they ever really get stored.

Since i started to clean reels as a hobby i find that if a reel always has the drag set you will have to tear the washers up to get them out when you clean them. I always back my drags off when they are not is use.

I never do that. But occasionally, I'll take whatever rod I'm using at the time, I'll back the drag off and pull some line out, then tighten it a little and pull some line out again and repeat til I have the drag tightened back up.

I always loosen my drags between trips. Growing up fishing saltwater where drag condition was vital (tarpon, etc.), I do it out of habit. Probably not as important for bass fishing, but can't hurt.

never done it. have a bunch of curados that the drag is still smooth as silk after 18 years.