Drag system: I have a question about drag on fishing reels. If i had a reel with a max drag of 20 pound but i had hooked a fish that was 30 pounds would i be able to reel it in? i’m...

FS Digest

I have a question about drag on fishing reels. If i had a reel with a max drag of 20 pound but i had hooked a fish that was 30 pounds would i be able to reel it in? i’m assuming not and if not then wou i just have to hand line it?

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by iamsmortist651

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Iamsmortist651: There is no direct connection of the line strength and the size of the fish, such as you are suggesting. A 20 lb line on a reel with a proper working drag set correctly can handle a fish of even greater weight than 30 lbs.

The purpose of the drag is to eventually wear the 30 lb fish down to where it can be landed. Just Sayin...RJS

Rock Hound Loc: Southeast Minnesota

A reel with 20 lbs. of drag has a substantial drag. Like Robert says, it doesn't really have a correlation of the weight of the fish.

Played correctly, a reel with a 20 lb. drag can easily handle a 30 lb. fish.

Rock Hound Loc: Southeast Minnesota

The drag should actually be set according to the strength of the line you are fishing with, and it should be set at about 1/3 of the lb. strength of your fishing line. It should be set for a good hook set, after that, the drag is really to tire the fish out enough to land it safely.

A max drag of 20 lbs. is a stout drag system.

Chuck56 Loc: Texas

FS Digest wrote:

I have a question about drag on fishing reels. If i had a reel with a max drag of 20 pound but i had hooked a fish that was 30 pounds would i be able to reel it in? i’m assuming not and if not then wou i just have to hand line it?

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by iamsmortist651

Reel in : yes. Hand line it : no.

bucky buckner Loc: murrells inlet SC

FS Digest wrote:

I have a question about drag on fishing reels. If i had a reel with a max drag of 20 pound but i had hooked a fish that was 30 pounds would i be able to reel it in? i’m assuming not and if not then wou i just have to hand line it?

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by iamsmortist651

i do know that 20 pounds of drag with 80 pound line will reel in a 600lb blue marlin but you have to fight it out

JackM Loc: North East Florida

When a 30 pound fish is pulling away in the water it is pulling less than 30 pounds. My estimate is about 7-10 pounds so yes you can land a 30 pound fish with 20 pounds of drag. You can not lift the fish out of the water, say from a bridge or pier, with the rod and 20 pounds of drag.

Roger Renne Loc: Washington state

Set the drag to let out line with a mild pull. When fish hits and starts taking line just put a little pressure on the line with your thumb, increase drag with star drag if needed but use the leverage of the rod to tire the fish out.

Roger Renne Loc: Washington state

Set the drag to let out line with a mild pull. When fish hits and starts taking line just put a little pressure on the line with your thumb, increase drag with star drag if needed but use the leverage of the rod to tire the fish out.

Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

Robert J Samples wrote:

Iamsmortist651: There is no direct connection of the line strength and the size of the fish, such as you are suggesting. A 20 lb line on a reel with a proper working drag set correctly can handle a fish of even greater weight than 30 lbs.

The purpose of the drag is to eventually wear the 30 lb fish down to where it can be landed. Just Sayin...RJS

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