Setting The Drag
Jul 3, 2021 16:53:14 #
Hey folks, I’ve been fishing pretty much my whole life (I’m 23), so I’m familiar with most fishing basics. However, I never feel like I’ve got my drag set quite right. I tend to lean toward setting it light so that I don’t break off, but I feel like I lose fish at a higher rate because it can be hard to keep the line taught when fish are always peeling it out. For reference, I use 10 lb braid for basically everything that isn’t trout and panfish, and fish in mid-northern North America.
What criteria do you guys use when setting your drag? What do you think is too loose, or too tight? Any input is appreciated.
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by Lightfoot-
What criteria do you guys use when setting your drag? What do you think is too loose, or too tight? Any input is appreciated.
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by Lightfoot-
Jul 3, 2021 17:11:50 #
Lightfood: It is o.k. to have your drag set a little lighter at the beginning. If you catch a fish large enough to begin stripping line from your reel, when you have fought it for a period and think it is beginning to tire, you can slowly tighten your drag in small increments which will hasten the fish being brought in to your dip net, or whatever. Just Sayin...RJS
Jul 3, 2021 17:11:50 #
Try this out while adjusting the drag 🎣have it a little loose hold your rod close to the reel grab the line about a foot from the rod tip 🎣pull on line having rod bend like a fish 🎣 pulling 🎣slowly adjusting the drag where you are still able to get line out without it breaking but kinda hard to remove 🙏👍 hopefully 🙏 this helped you out and good luck 🍀👍 and fish 🐠 on
Jul 3, 2021 19:35:22 #
I set it a bit loose with clicker ON. If not looking right at rod will hear it therefore it’s like an alarm.
Jul 4, 2021 08:59:15 #
Billy Bob
Loc: Terre Haute,IN
On my heavy line I set it tight no slip. Then if it is a really biggin I loosen some. On spinning with lighter line I like to set it so when I set the hook it slips just a little bit. Not much or your hook set will not be good enough to hook fish. Then I adjust accordingly to size and fight of fish.
Jul 4, 2021 17:07:26 #
agatemaggot
Loc: iowa
I personally don't use any drag . I crank my drag all the way down into direct drive and back reel with anti reverse turned off. Direct drive gives you a better hook set and more control over the fish . I fish mostly open face reels but use bait casters when fishing junk weed with HEAVY line and drag set tight but not locked all the way down completely . The more line you have out the smaller the diameter of your spool gets and the drag will get heavier automatically because of the smaller diameter of the spool. Messin with the drag in hand to hand combat might lead to your adrenalin overpowering your common sense ! Seen it happen many times after fisherman got the first look at the size of the fish !
Jul 4, 2021 18:59:58 #
Grizzly 17
Loc: South central Pa
I set mine were it takes a good tug to move it. I read that when i was a kid n do it till now. Fished with a big guy. Set the hook like he was fishing for shark. Then cuss because he miss it. One day while hung up he handed me his rod so he could control boat. He had the drag locked. I said something about it he said he keep it that way. Hard to tell how many fish he tore the lips off of. One other thing i hear you shouldn't do is reel while a fish is running drag. Causes twist
Jul 4, 2021 22:23:27 #
I use my fish scale to set my drag at 15 lb and go from there 🎣🎣🎣🎣
Jul 4, 2021 22:54:09 #
Lightfoot : I have been fishing for a long time I am 71 and I have my drag set as tight as it will go on my casting and spinning reel, I will loosen it when I start to fight the fish depending how hard it fights.My spinning reel has the drag adjuster on the rear of the reel so it makes it easy and I use braid on all my reels and it works for me.
Jul 4, 2021 22:57:36 #
Grizzly 17
Loc: South central Pa
Charlie thats my take on fishing if it fit your hand your budget n works for you that's all that matters 👍👍
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