Drag setting

[Striper9]

Do you guys fish a tighter drag on spinning reels when fishing around grass vs when not fishing around grass?

[PaulVE64]

I use about 1.5# of drag for bass with light wire and treble hooks. It goes up for heavy wire hooks and for northern pike.

[WRB]

Nope set the drag at 1/3rd of mono, copoly, FC line.

If more is needed simply add force using your index finger tips gains spool.

Ttom

[Fishing_Rod]

Greetings and Happy Friday!

I typically use UL spinning gear with 4 pound mono, so my drag setting is focused on slipping when the rod achieves a reasonable loading as a starting point. Because the combination of UL rod action with 4 pound mono, there is only so much leverage you can impart without disappointment.

 

Depending on the gear you are using, you'll have to consider just how much leverage you are willing to apply. Grass or no grass, you'll have to establish your upper limit of tension, again to avoid disappointment. With that understanding along with some angling techniques it is possible to achieve success.

 

Regarding the angling technique, it has been mentioned in other threads where it is possible to moderate the amount of leverage applied to get compliance from the fish and guide it from potential hazard areas. You can adjust the amount of tension you contribute to the struggle and the fish responds when you yield to a lesser tension.

 

You can experiment when you get a fish on-line, ease up on the tension after the initial set and get a feel for what happens as you adjust the amount of tension on the line.

 

It does depend on your approach and equipment used for angling. There are those who simply want to impart as much positive control as possible through equipment and brute strength. Then there are those at different perspectives from that. You can choose what has merit for you. Good Luck and be well.

[Skunkmaster-k]

No not really. If I’m fishing thick grass I’m probably using a baitcaster. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Drag is set to protect weakest link (line, leader etc)and left there. 

[Team9nine]

Half the time yes, half no. Not the most popular, or the most common (actually rare these days), but I still lock my drag down well above popular wisdom or guidance and then backreel at times. Some of the newer reels don’t even have the “anti-reverse” switch any more, but many do. It’s the best form of ‘control’ if that's what you’re after, IMO. The beatings may now commence 

[Justinfish]

I’ll set it tighter around grass but my leader is bumped up to 12lb-15lb or straight braid versus 8lb. I like fishing weightless senkos a lot and just don’t enjoy using casting gear with them so I “power fish” with a heavier spinning rod and braid 

[detroit1]

Locking down is not drag.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

No, not for FW bass.  If im going for big stripers around pilings or I have to keep a fish out of current Ill tighten the drag a little bit.  I find using my palm when I need to apply heavy pressure or fingers when need to add a little pressure is much easier then trying to manipulate the drag during the run.