When to Lower/Tighten your Drag (Page 2): Did you catch it by “accident”? We have muskie waters nearby and I hear numerous stories of this happening when fishing pike and bass. I have...

Ryp Hankins Loc: N Michigan

Tyee wrote:

A fishing buddy of mine actually loosens the drag when he’s fighting a big fish, to reduce the possibility of breaking the line.

There are downsides to a looser drag, too. 1) the longer you play the fish, the more chances there are to lose it; and 2) when you have a prolonged battle with a big fish, it gets worn out and it’s harder to revive and release. I caught a 50”+ musky on 6# test, took over 30 minutes to land her, and 45 minutes to resuscitate her.

Did you catch it by “accident”? We have muskie waters nearby and I hear numerous stories of this happening when fishing pike and bass. I have a good friend that caught one on 8# test and couldnt revive it for the instance you stated. Another guy, same thing, same lake. He had 8# test and hooked a big one. His pole snapped like a gunshot and left him cussing like a sailor. I target them on this lake and take 50# Power Pro braid that some say is on the light side of adequate. I hope to find out this spring.

EdwardL Loc: Tenino Wa.

bapabear wrote:

They also use very heavy line, know when the fishes swimming helps rather than resists the snatch, and move to the side of the boat to hand land bigger fish. There are no absolutes in fishing. Remember, when you are a pro, just one more cast can be the difference of $100,000+. Personally, I would rather feel the fight and appreciate the antics a fish will use to escape.

I fish catch and release and I use my drag but I try not to tire the fish out to much
And I don’t keep it out of the water any longer than it needs to be
I fish for the fight and the moment the fish takes the 🪰 fly or the bait I’m using
It’s like a drug the excitement you feel
I can buy a fish at Safeway or FredMyer
It’s cheaper than fishing for it and takes less
Time. But the excitement is not there

coach praska Loc: Idaho

I like to use the back reel switch on spinning reels but remember to switch it back before you set on the next fish !!!

coach praska Loc: Idaho

Have any of you use the back reel switch on a spinning reel to fight a big fish? I love it! Im in control not the reel! Just remember to flip the switch back before you cast again!!

coach praska Loc: Idaho

Sorry I didnt see the first one post!

EdwardL Loc: Tenino Wa.

coach praska wrote:

Have any of you use the back reel switch on a spinning reel to fight a big fish? I love it! Im in control not the reel! Just remember to flip the switch back before you cast again!!

I have but not often in the fight you may get confused so i just use the drag

Marko Loc: NW Arkansas

Running sportboats on the west coast for many years I saw my share of lost fish to operator error. Two biggest mistakes were 1 fooling with drag while fighting a fish and 2 (the biggest mistake) not holding the tip of the rod up. When you don’t hold the tip up you are fighting the fish with your reel not your rod. Just my 2 cents

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

EdwardL wrote:

I fish catch and release and I use my drag but I try not to tire the fish out to much
And I don’t keep it out of the water any longer than it needs to be
I fish for the fight and the moment the fish takes the 🪰 fly or the bait I’m using
It’s like a drug the excitement you feel
I can buy a fish at Safeway or FredMyer
It’s cheaper than fishing for it and takes less
Time. But the excitement is not there

Neither is the taste. I am also not clear what the difference is between the commercial guys killing animals and individuals doing it, except most commercial processers bruise the meat and do not get it to me for several days. Not to mention they partly freeze and thaw it several times then mark it fresh. If you do not eat meat or fish, I can understand you saying go to the market. If you are not a vegan or vegetarian, then I am apparently missing something.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Marko wrote:

Running sportboats on the west coast for many years I saw my share of lost fish to operator error. Two biggest mistakes were 1 fooling with drag while fighting a fish and 2 (the biggest mistake) not holding the tip of the rod up. When you don’t hold the tip up you are fighting the fish with your reel not your rod. Just my 2 cents

Sounds like the voice of experience. I fully agree.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

bapabear wrote:

Sounds like the voice of experience. I fully agree. But like everything, there is an exception

When bottom fishing clients, I rarely had to say keep your rod tip up. Fortunately with bottom fishing, Holding the rod parallel to the water is the same as holding it up for most other types of fishing. My problem was often with good fishermen. Out of habit they would hold the tip way up. If you look at the physics involved, it is like "being that guy" that points the rod upstream when the fish is going down stream.

Marko Loc: NW Arkansas

Agree! Fished bottom fish also and usually 3-5 hundred feet deep with 5+ lbs of weight. Mostly with rail plates on the rod so they pretty much needed to keep rod parallel to the water!

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

bapabear wrote:

They also use very heavy line, know when the fishes swimming helps rather than resists the snatch, and move to the side of the boat to hand land bigger fish. There are no absolutes in fishing. Remember, when you are a pro, just one more cast can be the difference of $100,000+. Personally, I would rather feel the fight and appreciate the antics a fish will use to escape.

🎣😀👍with on that one bapa