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Setting the Drag

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S Hook

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7 hours ago, S Hook said:

Fish on braid is definitely a more jerky violent type of fight.  Mono is smooth as silk.

 

 Yeah, I dont really crank the fish in, but rather than pump the rod I often like to just use my reel to keep the rod loaded up, and then take whatever line they give as they tire against the flex of the rod. I think its a more consistent pull, and it never puts me in a position where I might have trouble reacting if the fish does something unexpected.

 

 I find that with braid getting the drag tight enough to load the rod hard just by cranking, but not so tight you are pulling out hooks can be a fine line. With mono its far more forgiving in this regard.

"Whats another word for ****?" Joey Cape/ Lagwagon.

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13 mins ago, Bushleague said:

 

 Yeah, I dont really crank the fish in, but rather than pump the rod I often like to just use my reel to keep the rod loaded up, and then take whatever line they give as they tire against the flex of the rod. I think its a more consistent pull, and it never puts me in a position where I might have trouble reacting if the fish does something unexpected.

 

 I find that with braid getting the drag tight enough to load the rod hard just by cranking, but not so tight you are pulling out hooks can be a fine line. With mono its far more forgiving in this regard.

It’s nice to be able to relax and enjoy the fight. Seems like most of the time I’m cranking and pulling, as hard as I can. Trying to keep my fish away from people on both sides of me.

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5 mins ago, S Hook said:

It’s nice to be able to relax and enjoy the fight. Seems like most of the time I’m cranking and pulling, as hard as I can. Trying to keep my fish away from people on both sides of me.

 

 True that, nothing quite like that feeling when you have a big one solidly hooked, and all you gotta do is not screw up.

"Whats another word for ****?" Joey Cape/ Lagwagon.

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I think since braid became the everyday line for most, drag settings have gone through the roof. Guys screw them down pretty tightly, I always was on the light side thinking I'd surely bust everything to pieces. I don't use a scale so I really can't say I'm on the setting I want, I do know its light enough that I can manage putting enough pressure on the fish with the rod and the setting the drag is on, occasionally I'll cup the spool or thumb pressure the spool.  To describe my setting, its just to the point of feeling tight coming off, probably under 5 lbs. I enjoy a few good runs of line peeling off at a steady clip, like as fast as the fish wants to go, they belly up quickly.  Unless I'm in a spot where tightening down is the best way for success, then I'll chance busting gear. I try and avoid those places and times.

 

So, todays equipment, rod, reels,line and terminal tackle are all ready for abuse, in most cases its not needed and you will break things like rods, reels, line and terminal tackle, way too much pressure being applied in many cases. Can't really argue it, its probably more effective being tightened down but I don't like fishing that way and I don't want my stuff abused and broken because I won't learn how to use the gear properly.

"Thats as big as a fish that size gets" - Russ Wilson
RIP JM
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19 mins ago, Highlander1 said:

I think since braid became the everyday line for most, drag settings have gone through the roof. Guys screw them down pretty tightly, I always was on the light side thinking I'd surely bust everything to pieces. I don't use a scale so I really can't say I'm on the setting I want, I do know its light enough that I can manage putting enough pressure on the fish with the rod and the setting the drag is on, occasionally I'll cup the spool or thumb pressure the spool.  To describe my setting, its just to the point of feeling tight coming off, probably under 5 lbs. I enjoy a few good runs of line peeling off at a steady clip, like as fast as the fish wants to go, they belly up quickly.  Unless I'm in a spot where tightening down is the best way for success, then I'll chance busting gear. I try and avoid those places and times.

 

So, todays equipment, rod, reels,line and terminal tackle are all ready for abuse, in most cases its not needed and you will break things like rods, reels, line and terminal tackle, way too much pressure being applied in many cases. Can't really argue it, its probably more effective being tightened down but I don't like fishing that way and I don't want my stuff abused and broken because I won't learn how to use the gear properly.

Exactly, the heavy pound braid and leaders are insurance not things to be tested to their limits.

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If I'm on the beach i set it by feel and am probably gonna have it just tight enough to control the fish without pulling the hook. I would be surprised if it's over 12lbs. If it really wants to run, its gonna run a little, and thats okay. I'm on the beach fishing for stripers, not in Florida trying to pull a 30lb snook from under a dock. 

If I'm fishing some current around structure I'll tighten it down enough that the braid cuts me a little but i can still pull it if i try. Gotta be able to pull the fish away from the structure if its there.

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On 6/3/2023 at 12:27 AM, Bushleague said:

I just set it to where I think there is not much chance of ripping out the hook. Pretty much regardless of how strong my tackle is, I lose more fish to pulling out the hook than I do to broken line.

I do the same, after 40 years I think I have it very close, I gets tweaked after a few casts.

Most times im dead on though.

I have never used a scale

H⚔️H

Edited by Heavy Hooksetter

An armed man is a citizen,,,an unarmed man is a subject,,,,,,,,

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Just now, Heavy Hooksetter said:

I do the same, after 40 years I think I have it very close, I gets tweaked after a few casts.

Most times im dead on though.

I've never used a scale. 

H⚔️H

 

An armed man is a citizen,,,an unarmed man is a subject,,,,,,,,

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