Max drag
Aug 10, 2020 10:26:02 #
Is there any rule of thumb when choosing a max drag for a reel, e.g. if I plan catching 11lb fish, should I buy a reel with max drag on 15,5lb because 11lb fish become more powerful when hooked thus giving my reel a higher drag than just the fish own weight?
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by yuiman
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by yuiman
Aug 10, 2020 10:26:05 #
The rule is to set the drag at 1/3 or 1/4 of your line weight, so for 20 pound braid you should set a 5 or 7.5lb drag. Even 5lb of drag is a lot of drag for freshwater fishing.
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by leorada
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by leorada
Aug 10, 2020 10:26:09 #
When you say "set the drag" do you mean adjust the brakes on my reel, or find a reel where it says "max drag 5lb". There are a lot of terminology in fishing that I have yet to learn
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by yuiman
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by yuiman
Aug 10, 2020 10:26:13 #
He means adjusting the drag to 5lbs. You never want to run a reel all the way to max drag because it can cause premature damage and wear. The thing to remember is that you aren’t fighting the weight of the fish, just whatever force it can generate by swimming. A 20lb fish doesn’t weight 20lbs in the water.
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by GrayCustomKnives
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by GrayCustomKnives
Aug 10, 2020 16:15:43 #
FS Digest wrote:
When you say "set the drag" do you mean adjust the brakes on my reel, or find a reel where it says "max drag 5lb". There are a lot of terminology in fishing that I have yet to learn
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by yuiman
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by yuiman
Get a set of scales and tie the line to it and adjust the drag on the reel to 1/3 the breaking strain of the line, that way if you catch a bigger fish it shouldn't break the line,will take line if it runs. Use the rod to control and gain line. I've caught a 310 lb fish on 30lb line never looked like breaking.
Aug 11, 2020 16:08:59 #
jfbanzai
Loc: Menomonie, Wisconsin
FS Digest wrote:
Is there any rule of thumb when choosing a max drag for a reel, e.g. if I plan catching 11lb fish, should I buy a reel with max drag on 15,5lb because 11lb fish become more powerful when hooked thus giving my reel a higher drag than just the fish own weight?
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by yuiman
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by yuiman
Set your drag lighter than you think you need to. You can always tighten as you go, but if it is too tight, you run the risk of snapping the line. You not only need to think about the constant pull of the fish, but the shock of the strike and a sudden change of direction. A steady pull will seldom break the line, but a fish that come right at you and then does a sudden 180 will put a lot of strain on the line. As long as you have enough drag for a good hook set, you can adjust from there. This is also where a better reel with a smoother drag makes a big difference.
Aug 11, 2020 17:02:50 #
i always set my drag about two pounds you can always increase, but if fish is hooked lightly you stand a better chance, surroundings make a difference also a lot of snag opertunities i will set it very heavy
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