How To Set Drag?

[Joedodge]

So when I fished salt water growing up we just pulled the line near the reel of we could do it with index finger and ring finger and thumb we where good lol. How are you guys setting drag on spinning combos with braid?

[roadwarrior]

This method is easy and fun: If you have free weights they can be tied directly.

Otherwise put a known weight in a plastic grocery bag and tie that to the end 

of your line. 3 lbs is probably about right. GENTLY lift the weight with you rod.

Tighten the drag to where it begins to release. I think you will be very surprised

at just how much 3 lbs of drag really is. Depending on the stress put on your rod

you may not want that much. For heavier gear, perhaps you will want to try

additional weight. 

 

 

 

 

[Joedodge]

Awesome! Thankyou so much that's a great idea

[WIGuide]

Usually I just set it by feel. For rods/reels that have are used for single hook offerings have the drag set higher and those with treble hooks are set pretty loose. 

[cyclops2]

Why would you set anything loose ?  I try to keep the tension constant in any fight.  I have reeled in many fish with just 1 of 6 or 9 hooks holding.

[rawjuice]

I do by feel as well but I like the idea from roadwarrior, might try something like that just to compare the settings that I do.

[ytail]

I use a quality drag setting scale such as a Manley Brass Scale. You want to put the reel on the rod you will be fishing with and run line through all line guides on the rod. Hook the scale to something sturdy, tie the end of the fishing line to the scale, set the drag, pull and bend your rod just like when you hook a fish but pull hard until the line just starting to peel out from the reel. Now stop and check the scale for the number. In general set your drag strength between 1/4 to 1/3 of your leader line weight. Example: the drag will be set between 7.5 pounds and 10 pounds for a 30 pound leader which you will fish with. Just my way to do it. I have leanred not to trust by feel as it can be way off.

 

So when I fished salt water growing up we just pulled the line near the reel of we could do it with index finger and ring finger and thumb we where good lol. How are you guys setting drag on spinning combos with braid?

[BassinLou]

Like a couple have already mentioned, i do it by feel, and adjust accordingly depending on the situation. 

[Mike L]

Like a couple have already mentioned, i do it by feel, and adjust accordingly depending on the situation.

Ditto

Mike

[HoosierHawgs]

I tie my line to a tree or other fixed point, and then I pull back until my line is taught and my rod is fully loaded. This is where I want my drag to slip. I do this with most everything. Reason is, is because when your line is taught and rod is loaded something has got to give.. (Ie. Hook will rip out, line will snap, or rod will break)

[roadwarrior]

Example: the drag will be set between 7.5 pounds and 10 pounds for a 30 pound leader which you will fish with.

 

Well, as I understand the OP's question, he was asking how to set the drag on a FRESHWATER

spinning reel which I also assume would be mounted on a BASS rod. I doubt he will be using 30 lb

leader, but regardless of that, 7.5 - 10 lbs of drag is probably not compatible with the rod.

[Tywithay]

I have a broken rod handle that I put in a vice. Attach the reel with the drag fairly tight and tie on a hook. I attach the hook to my digital scale and pull until it shows 1/3 of the lines breaking strength (with braid I base it on 1/3 of the lines diameter). Once I put the reel on a rod, I now have the added buffer of blank to help protect the line as well. Reason I set it directly from the reel and not a loaded rod is because I don't want drag to pull when the rod is loaded up or when I set the hook. If I keep the rod high, I can control the fish. If he runs, I can lower the rod and line will come out freely.

[cyclops2]

Joe are we still dealing with salt water rod & reel ?     What pound test is the braid ?

[Joedodge]

Yes fresh water spinning gear. I just got a new daiwa procyop 3000 combo. 7 foot medium power extra fast rod. And 15 pound braid no leader.

[SirSnookalot]

Salt or fresh I set by feel, having done it so much I know where I like it.  I may set it slightly tighter (that's about 1 click) bass fishing when fishing a weedless fluke for a better hookset.  

[OroBass]

I feel everyone should actually set the drag using a scale or weight before trying to do it by feel. I was blown away how much drag 5 lbs was lol let alone ten.

[roadwarrior]

I feel everyone should actually set the drag using a scale or weight before trying to do it by feel. I was blown away how much drag 5 lbs was lol let alone ten.

 

Knowing how your drag is actually set allows you to develope a "feel".  

Besides, I think it's fun on a cold, dreary day to play with my toys.

 

 

 

[AQUA VELVA]

I set my rig up and attach the line to my truck bumper with an S hook. I hold the rod at about a 45 degree angle and back up. I set the drag so that it releases when the rod tip is pointing straight down the line to the bumper. Right or wrong, Iv'e been doing it that way for years and it seems to work for me.