FS Digest

Is it bad to set the drag tight then adjust once you hook the fish? I generally have a tight drag but still feel like im under no worry of the line breaking. Im fishing for bass at the moment with an 8lb leader. It doesnt really feel like a challenge reeling the fish in but the bass arent that big, under 2lbs. If i feel something heavy on the end i will probably compensate for it by loosening the drag.

If i start with a moderatley loose drag i feel like im not really "setting the hook". At the moment i lift the rod i can also hear the drag scream. Is the hook still setting when it does that?

The reason i set it tight is because im worried about losing a fish due to a poor hookset.

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by darealmvp1561

HooknJack Loc: Orland Ca.

set your drag for the line you use and use your thumb to set the hook.

NoCal Steve Loc: Dunnigan, CA

Practice setting the hook at home with your drag set low. Keep increasing the drag until you set the hook and the drag stops slipping.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Really depends.
I usually set it at about 30% breaking strength and leave it alone.
If you get in trouble you can always put a finger on the spool , or in the case of baitcaster, your thumb.
When a fish is running , you will have enough to keep you busy messing around with the drag can go south in a hurry

Exception 1
Finesse baits like Ned rigs and jerkbaits with light wire hooks , I use a lighter drag than I ordinarily use. This will keep the fish pinned and keep from straightening hooks.
Exception 2
If I’m fishing heavy cover, I’ll run a tighter drag. I don’t want the fish to run at all. I want to muscle him in the direction I want him to come right away. No playing around. Get his head turned my way. And keep him comming
I’m usually running heavier line in these situations. And typical baitcast reels only have around 12 pounds of drag or so.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Set it at about 1/3 breaking strength and leave it alone. If set at 1/3 breaking strength and pulling drag when you set, it sounds like you are using to stiff of rod for the line weight.

Seegundo Loc: Lake s minole Georgia

The hook set for most bait is the rod between the shoulders not over one. You have more power and leverage with the rod between your shoulders.you have lo leverage over the shoulder. The only hook set that is a side sweep is for Carolina rig. Your mechanics can result in a poor hook set. To set the drag you can use a spring device that measures drag. Or turn the spool to feel drag tension.

Tyvek Loc: Ontario, California

Good advice use thumb to set hooks
Thanks brother