Engaging spool vs using drag

[Donnie Beasley]

Something I have seen more and more over the years are a lot of pros engaging their spool and using their thumb when a fish makes a run. It never really made sense to me especially considering the drag systems in high quality reels these days. What is the benefit to this? 

[jimmyjoe]

   You said, " .... engaging their spool .... ". To me, this means the spool is locked and the anti-reverse is active. If that's the case, then the only reason I know to thumb the spool is more drag. Maybe their drag overheated, or maybe they had it set lower than what they wanted to fight the fish.

   OTOH, if you mean that the spool is DIS-engaged, as in free-spool, then it makes no sense.   

   Are you sure that they're not just using their thumb on the spool to sent the hook?            jj

  

 

  

[Donnie Beasley]

Yes, sorry I meant DIS engage. During the fight they are constantly disengaging the spool and thumbing it when the fish starts to make a run versus just letting their drag do the work. I have seen this more and more lately. I really don’t see anyone but the pros doing it. It really didn’t make much sense to me either so I was just curious. 

[roadwarrior]

 

[Donnie Beasley]

9 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

 

Thank you for the link. That’s ironic that I was actually watching one of Randy’s recent videos and it’s what made me make this post. I guess it just comes down to personal preference. 

[JustJames]

I normally use thumb to apply more drag especially when the fish try to run under cover or weed. I do this all the time since I never lock down my drag.
I only dis-engage the spool and rely on my thumb twice that I remember, first time because the drag was jerky and to save light line I have to use thumb for smooth operation. Second time when the fish keep bending my rod (ultralight rod) but line wouldn’t come out fast enough. I used my thumb to release the line out when needed to save my rod.

[Kenny Yi]

"Im using 25 pound fluorocarbon, why am I gonna 'finesse' him around?  UH UH, you in my house now, jack!  Pencil sharpener, remember that!"

 

- Gerald "G-Man" Swindle

 

granted, this is from a video about jig fishing, but I think it can still apply.  if I'm using a baitcaster, I should be able to overpower the fish every time, most times with drag maxed out.  if I'm fishing that light, where drag is a concern, then it'll be a spinning reel.  

[ironbjorn]

It's pointless to me, but nobody needs permission to fish the gear that they own the way that they want to fish it.

[Team9nine]

1 hour ago, ironbjorn said:

It's pointless to me, but nobody needs permission to fish the gear that they own the way that they want to fish it.

 

That’s right. I wish people at the lake would just leave me alone and mind their own business ?

 

[keagbassr]

 I do this all the time. To me drag is a waste. Why let the fish control when and how much line to take.

1 hour ago, Team9nine said:

 

That’s right. I wish people at the lake would just leave me alone and mind their own business ?

 

Up here we call that a 'rocket rig' as in woonsocket. ?

[CrankFate]

Google “Fly Fishing.”

[GreenPig]

4 hours ago, Team9nine said:

 

That’s right. I wish people at the lake would just leave me alone and mind their own business ?

 

I totally agree. But that handles on the wrong side.?

[ATA]

I use drag unless the fish make run for it and get stronger fish, Then without I think about it my thumb will start working :). I notice that happened to me more when I fish BFS.

[TnRiver46]

The reason you will see pros dis engage the spool with baitcaster is so a surging fish doesn’t pull treble hooks out of its mouth or break the 10-12 lbs test line they use for Jerkbaits and crankbait. They won’t be doing it while fishing jigs and texas rigs. The drag could accomplish the same goal, but is set and has to be adjusted accordingly. When you disengage and use your thumb, your brain is in control and knows more than a drag washer and star adjustment. It can let out more line during strong runs and less during weak runs and then be locked down when you re engage the spool 

[roadwarrior]

37 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

...your brain is in control and knows more than a drag washer and star adjustment. 

 

When your PB smallmouth surges at the boat in current on the Tennessee River, 

a perfectly set drag is your best friend.

 

[TnRiver46]

15 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

 

When your PB smallmouth surges at the boat in current on the Tennessee River, 

a perfectly set drag is your best friend.

 

Maybe your best friend but not mine! I’ll use my brain and thumb (dynamically changing) instead of a set rating on a drag washer
 

(we’ve all heard the story about you losing the world record smallmouth Kent……..)

insert poking with a stick emoji