I am relatively new to fishing - mostly saltwater in the New York/Long Island/Massechusetts/Conneticutt/NJ. This year will be be starting Freshwater.
I need to learn more and master the Drag concept: Definition and using it correctly. Where is it best to learn about the reel drag. Or how do I best learn this? Thanks.
Drag is the resistance to line coming off your reel. There are 3 components to drag. First and most obvious is the setting on your reel. Second is the flex, or bend of your rod and third and least obvious is the amount of line in the water.
To set your drag, string your line through your rod eyes, and with a scale measure how much weight it takes to pull line from the reel with your rod in a flexed position (have a friend "fight the fish" while you act like the fish). Adjust the drag to approximately 1/3 of the breaking strength of your line using this method.
So, using a spinner reel, for example, adjusting the drag would be turning the button on the top of the reel?
Depending on the reel. Some spincasters like Zebco And Daiwa have a dial on top of the reel. Spinning reel can have a rear drag or have it in front of the spool. Baitcasters in general have a star drag on the handle. What kind of reel are you using?
I never caught a fish big enough that I ever had to worry about drag. Sad huh?
Is better than no fish at all.
The drag on reels is very important for big fish.It can make or break you!THE REASON I LOVE FISHING IS BECAUSE,I LOST A BIG MUSKIE,ABOUT 40 POUNDS,DUE TO NOT HAVING MY DRAG SET.HERE'S THE STORY.I HAD A 3000 MITCHEL REEL,FIRST TIME FISHING FOR MUSKIE.I WAS IN A JOHN BOAT AND FISHING WITH MY BROTHER,WHO HAS BEEN FISHING FOR MUSKIE FOR YEARS.I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT A DRAG WAS AND WHAT IT WAS USE FOR.WELL I FOUND OUT THAT DAY ,THAT MY DRAG WAS LOCKED OFF.TO MY SURPRISE AFTER CASTING MY ARM OFF,IT HAPPEN.A BIG MUSKIE CAME UP TO THE BOAT AND GRAB MY LURE AND SAID GOODBYE TO ME.I SAW A GIANT FISH THAT I WANTED.DUE TO MY LACK OF FISHING SKILLS I FOUND OUT HOW IMPORTANT THE DRAG ON REELS ARE.MY BROTHER YELL TO ME LOOSEN UP THE DRAG.I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT.I TOLD HIM TO GAB THE FISHING NET,HE STARTED TO LAUGH OUT LOUD AND SAID NO WAY THAT I'AM CATCHING THAT BIG MONSTER.THEN IT HAPPEN,MR MUSKIE CAME OUT OF THE WATER AND LAUGH AT ME,NOT ONE TIME BUT 3 TIMES AND SPIT OUT THE LURE. MY HEART WAS POUNDING AND MY LEGS WHERE SHAKING.WOW WHAT A EXCITING TIME THAT WAS FOR ME.EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T CATCH THAT MONSTER,I LEAN HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO SET YOUR DRAG EVERY TIME YOU GO FISHING.I'AM HOOK ON FISHING FOR LIFE,DUE TO MY DRAG NOT SET WRIGHT.
Three more things should be mentioned always let your drag off while not in use and drag tension is different if fishing a fly line and depending on what you are fishing for. More fish are lost due to to much drag and if it is to loose for the fish hooked you can tighten it during the fight.
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