As said before drag setting is huge. I throw an unweighted finesse worm up under cover on a local lake, It is a nasty situation because of the heavy cover and because the bait is so light. I usually have the bait on a 6'6" ML rod that is meant for up to 8 pound test, but I use 15 pound braid on it for the strength and abrasion resistance. I skip the bait and when I get bit I have my drag set a little heavier then normal, usually just the hook set will get the fish out and moving away from the overhangs for deadfalls. So then I loosen it up and there is only a good amount of stress on the rod for a very short time. Works for me anyway, : and thats why I loved the Stamina center drag system.