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 RulonĀ®, and positioned in a stacked configuration. 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.