BassinNCstyle Posted July 1, 2014 Posted July 1, 2014 I tend to keep drag tighter on my spinning reel than I know I should because I feel a light setting will mean weaker hook set. Today I lost a possible PB due to line snapping before I could loosen drag, I know I need to change my mindset but not confident with the change. Is my fear of weak hookset is like the boogie man in the closet that doesn't exist? Quote
Mccallister25 Posted July 1, 2014 Posted July 1, 2014 Theres a correct way to set your drag. I'm sure you can find out how to on the net. Me personally, I just set mine to engage on a firm pull and it works fine. 1 Quote
MikeinFresno Posted July 1, 2014 Posted July 1, 2014 Sharp, fine wire hooks go a long way to help the hook set when fishing lighter line. I have snapped a couple of times on big fish too. But, I think it was my fault with not checking my line for nicks part of the time and others having too much slack and snapping the line on the initial set. I now try to get ALL the slack out and make a sweeping set with the fine wire hooks. Quote
BassinNCstyle Posted July 1, 2014 Author Posted July 1, 2014 It snapped today while swimming away in straight line type way. Wonder if I should have opened spinning guide wire to let him run a little. Quote
BassinNCstyle Posted July 1, 2014 Author Posted July 1, 2014 What line are you using? What line are you using? 14lb nanofil. Quote
Super User F14A-B Posted July 1, 2014 Super User Posted July 1, 2014 Yea ok, well a few guys liked it at first... But they gave up on it because it broke so very easy one of those Guys was Glenn May... The head of Bassresource. You might seriously consider a line change. Maybe a 8 carrier braid.... It has to be considered! Quote
BassinNCstyle Posted July 1, 2014 Author Posted July 1, 2014 Yeah, when it works it works well, but can let you down too. Already took off, debating whether to put on yo zuri ultra soft or some power pro. Water I am fishing is medium clear to clear. Quote
Super User F14A-B Posted July 1, 2014 Super User Posted July 1, 2014 Yea guy, change out either of those lines will work much better.... Just check you're line more often around rocks.... I been Yozuri user since 98 but I have not used the ultra soft... I hear it is great! Quote
Snakehead Whisperer Posted July 2, 2014 Posted July 2, 2014 14lb nanofil. This is only a dim memory, but I seem to remember hearing that Nanofil is fickle with knots and that there is a "Nanofil knot" that is recommended by Berkley for that line. I have never used Nanofil, so I'm just repeating what I've heard before. As for drag setting, I usually set mine to approximately 1/3 of the breaking strength of the line. So if you're using 10lb test, set the drag around 3-3.5lbs. On my jigging rods I will set the drag at nearly maximum, but the drag is still approximately 1/3 the line strength (10 or 12lb drag on 30lb test braid.) Many will recommend the drag be set to only 1/4 the strength of the line. I set mine by feel, but using a scale is the only way to be sure of what your drag setting is. I tend to keep drag tighter on my spinning reel than I know I should because I feel a light setting will mean weaker hook set. Today I lost a possible PB due to line snapping before I could loosen drag, I know I need to change my mindset but not confident with the change. Is my fear of weak hookset is like the boogie man in the closet that doesn't exist? Adjusting the drag while a fish is on should be a last resort, and rarely leads to good results. Set it properly to begin with and let it do what it's supposed to. 2 Quote
FirstnameLastname Posted July 2, 2014 Posted July 2, 2014 Yeah like you said its like the boogeyman in the closet.Light drag really shouldn't effect your hook sets that significantly unless the drag is really, really light.lf I were you I would stick to the three quarters rule. Your drag should be set at three quarters the strength of your line. If you still have problems get sharper hooks, I recommend eagle claw. Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted July 2, 2014 Global Moderator Posted July 2, 2014 I use Nanofil on a couple of my reels and have never had the problems others complain about. Power Pro Super Slick would be a good alternative if you what a line that fishes similarly to Nanofil though. As for the original question, learn to back reel. You can set your drag tight for the hooksets but still give line when you need to. I back reel because I have more confidence in doing it and feel I have more control than relying on the drag. Set your drag properly though and you have very little to worry about. 1 Quote
MO_LMB Posted July 2, 2014 Posted July 2, 2014 As for the original question, learn to back reel. You can set your drag tight for the hooksets but still give line when you need to. I back reel because I have more confidence in doing it and feel I have more control than relying on the drag. Set your drag properly though and you have very little to worry about. Great advice right here. I think Bass anglers try to force the fish in too fast sometimes, especially with spinning gear. How do you think trout anglers land 21"+ trout on 2lb line? - Backreeling and playing the fish correctly. Also, if you lost a fish on 14lb line, I highly doubt it was the drag that was your issue. Quote
BassinNCstyle Posted July 2, 2014 Author Posted July 2, 2014 Excuse my ignorance, but what is back reeling. Quote
DTack Posted July 2, 2014 Posted July 2, 2014 I guess I will provide my input on this. I don't think it's necessary to backreel any longer, new drags are just all around better and LEARNING to backreel does take some time. If you want to learn to do something new by all means go for it, I just no longer think it is necessary. When using lighter line, I am typically making long casts... I set my drag rather tight, if a fish bites at the end of a long cast... I set hard, I then loosen my drag if needed as the fish gets closer to the boat. There are some that will say this is horrible advice, but if you can do something on the fly, it's not a problem. It all depends what you're comfortable with, with multiple largemouth over 8 lbs and multiple spots over 6 lbs on 7lb test line I know that it works. Another thing I like to say is take your time, typically if you have a fish hooked in the first place you can fight the fish for a long time without losing it to a hook popping out. Good luck and know that practice makes perfect! Quote
MO_LMB Posted July 2, 2014 Posted July 2, 2014 Excuse my ignorance, but what is back reeling. There is a switch on your spinning reel that when engaged, will only let you reel forward. It you turn it off, it will allow you to reel forwards and backwards, Quote
Super User F14A-B Posted July 2, 2014 Super User Posted July 2, 2014 Yep, reeling backwards means reeling out line(controlled) under tension it's a old timey way of trying to control the fish, bypassing the drag and or a open bail line feed.... I don't use it, and never have. But some guys do and that's fine. I believe if you use a diffrent line... You're issue goes away, largely... Quote
BassinNCstyle Posted July 2, 2014 Author Posted July 2, 2014 Ok thanks. Never knew how to use the switch on the reel. Quote
BassinNCstyle Posted July 2, 2014 Author Posted July 2, 2014 Ok thanks. Never knew how to use the switch on the reel. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted July 2, 2014 Super User Posted July 2, 2014 I see no need to use a light drag if you are going to back reel. Many eons ago I kept mine locked down with 4# mono. Of course my rods weren't stiff. If you are snapping the line on the hookset, then you need to ease up a bit. If you want a lighter drag, but still have a more solid hookset, then feather the spool on the set. Quote
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