Bogey Loc: West Central Minnesota

I’m going to buy a couple new spinning reels this spring. I have seen reels with drag poundage from 5 to 25 pounds of drag. Is drag poundage that important and if so why??
I fish walleye and bass in central Minnesota.

ccrewstx Loc: Just south of Houston, Tx near Alvin

I like at least about 12 pounds but I fish for redfish

JRK227 Loc: Cedarburg, WI

You shouldn't need more than 5 to 10 pounds for the species you target.

Bogey Loc: West Central Minnesota

Thanks

MuskyHunter Loc: Torrington, CT

OK, most people use eight or six pound test line when fishing for walleye Some people even use four pound test. You don't want your drag set so tight that it exceeds the breaking strength of the line. So the max drag you need is somewhat less than the strength of the line you are using.

Your reel can be capable of providing more drag...that is OK, but as I already said, don't tighten so your line breaks.

Too much drag is not a major selling point if you use light tackle.

The real selling point is the smoothness of the drag. Look for carbon fiber drag washers. Then grease them with Cal's drag grease so they give smoothly. Many reels now have carbon fiber drag washers, but they won't be greased. You don't have to grease them, but they will be smoother at startup.

Bogey Loc: West Central Minnesota

Thanks for the advice

Bogey Loc: West Central Minnesota

Thanks for the advice

Joecat Loc: Florida / Rhode Island

Drag should be approximately 1/3 the pound test of the line and my opinion drag is the most important part of a reel when fishing

mr.sleeve Loc: Anaheim Hills

Pounds of drag are important depending on the species you target and their relative size. As a guideline, it is recommended that you set your drag to 1/3 the rating of your line (ie: 15 lb test = 5 lbs drag max)...hope this helps

Salty Dog Loc: Punta Gorda, Florida

Great article that explains what drag settings work best, as well as what to do as spool diameter decreases as line is pulled off the reel with a running fish.

https://www.saltwatersportsman.com/how-to-manage-your-drag/

Cheers!🐟

BillFish Loc: Westchester New York, Long Island Sound

BillFish Loc: Westchester New York, Long Island Sound

Depending on the size class of spinning reels you decide to purchase, generally speaking it will give you a basic outline of its intended line strength options along with spool capacities for the various strengths in both braid and mono.

Regarding drag and depending on how serious you are about your fishing, the standard practice is to set your drags with a hand scale to appx. 1/3 of the lines breaking strength. And generally speaking you are never supposed to adjust the drag or have the need to do so while angling a fish except under special circumstances where you have found yourself out matched and your fish is headed for cover or your about to get spooled by a screaming pelagic, even then, seasoned anglers will palm the spool with a spinner or thumb the spool with a bait caster or conventional style reel. Adjusting the drag while fighting a potential trophy catch is one of the best ways to break off a fish. Some of the finer spinner drag systems like high end Shimano's, Van Stahl's and the like tend to have much smoother and precise drag systems that would be less likely to allow your drag plates to "bite" suddenly if you do attempt to adjust the drag and "POP"!, there she goes, quite often leaving you with half a spool of line that is now useless. Good angling techniques, patience and proper setting of your drags before each outing takes only a few minutes of time and can end up making all the difference in the world. I fish Shimano Tranx and Curado low profile, high capacity bait casters and wind back my drags close to free-spool to release the tension on the braking plates if they are not going to be used for more than a day, it's just the proper way to store your reels and make your drags last by taking all of that pressure off the washers and prevents them from developing flat spots so your drags are always smooth and reliable. You always know, the next bite might be the catch of your lifetime and that my friend is what we are always in pursuit of. TIGHT LINES!

Joecat Loc: Florida / Rhode Island

If you had ten experienced fisherman and mentioned backing the drag off when reels are not being used my guess is 3 or 4 would say I never did that or knew that it’s the right thing to do

BillFish Loc: Westchester New York, Long Island Sound

Do you agree with the protocol or disagree?

mr.sleeve Loc: Anaheim Hills

You should always back your drags off to zero anytime they aren’t in use