Max Drag Capacity Vs. Size Of Fish

[Mobasser]

I would say most any bass reel on the market has enoupgh drag to land bass of all sizes.

[A-Jay]

22 hours ago, Jonas Staggs said:

 

I appreciate your advice. A few months ago, i learned how to properly set my drag here on bassresource.

 

My current question isnt in regards to how to set my drag.

 

So im really just wondering if ill be ok to set my drag to max, as long as Im fishing line, heavier than what the drag max is. 

 

The reason Im asking is I usually just set my drag to give at max rod bend, but when I ocean fish from my kayak, sometimes the fish shoot straight down from the side, given the angle of the rod from the side and the fish shooting straight down, seems like I have my drag set too loose. If I could set my drag to max that would be nice to be able to really pull them up, but I dont want to snap my line. I typically saltwater fish with about 15-20 lbs mono and the reels max drag is 11lbs.

 

 

@Jonas Staggs

Nice job bringing this one back 

It's spawned some interesting discussion so far. 

It appears that 'drag setting' style can vary wildly between bassheads for a variety of reasons, including simple personal preference.  Meaning some 'lock it down'  some run it so it slips a lot and still others are somewhere in between.

And everyone's catching bass - so what's the right answer ?

Do what works for you; you'll figured out very quickly what doesn't. 

I'm using the drag setting on all my rigs as a controlled and reusable fail safe.

I need it to slip some well in advance of any other aspect of my rod, line and or terminal gear failing; every time.  Additionally, I want it to help land fish by not allowing undue/excess power sufficient to pull hooks, especially trebles.  

Clearly that can and does change depending on the gear & presentation itself as well as the condition I'm fishing.

So for me - using a scale to set my drag specifically for bass fishing, wouldn't really work.

Instead it's all done by feel which comes with experience. 

May not answer your question exactly or even be useful.

But that's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

A-Jay

 

[Catt]

It starts with the bass, each bite is different, each fight is different.

 

The hook, is it a single hook or a treble hook.

 

The line, monofilament, copolymores, Fluorocarbon, or braid, each has different properties.

 

The rod, each action, each power, each material reacts differently.

 

The reel drag, each material composition acts different.

 

The angler, each has his own personal repertoire of confusion.

[jimmyjoe]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

each has his own personal repertoire of confusion.

   "Repertoire of confusion". I like that. Heck, I AM that!

   That would be a good one to put on my tombstone.     ???      jj