Maximum Drag???

[jwo1124]

I was just checking out a Daiwa reel and it has a maximum drag listed. I have never seen this before. If someone could explain this to me it would be appreciated.

[Tokyo Tony]

I think it's just the maximum force the drag can withstand - so if it says 8 lbs, you can't set it to 9 lbs - 8 is the max.

I remember reading that RoadWarrior said a good drag setting is 25% of your line strength - sounds good.

[mayassa]

I thought it was 75% of your line strength?

[Raul]

I thought it was 75% of your line strength?

What if ...... you are fishing with let 's say 20 lbs test ?  that would equal 15 pounds of drag pessure, so unless you are fishing with a reel with at least 15 pounds of drag 90% of the reels of the world won 't cut it.

[Raul]

I was just checking out a Daiwa reel and it has a maximum drag listed. I have never seen this before. If someone could explain this to me it would be appreciated.

Drag pressure listed is not that new, most of the reel manufacturers list the drag pressure of their reels in their website. Most Daiwa BCs list a drag pressure of 8.8 pounds, most Shimano reels list a drag pressure of 10 pounds. That means that the max pressure the drag will achieve with the drag all tightened down is what the manufacturer lists, if the pull of the fish exceeds the drag pressure the reel can apply the line will slip, the catch is, the drag is there to:

1.- Protect the line from breaking

2.- Protect the gearing of the reel

8.8 or 10 lbs doesn 't sound like much, it 's a whole lotta drag in the real world.

[mayassa]

I thought it was 75% of your line strength?

What if ...... you are fishing with let 's say 20 lbs test ?  that would equal 15 pounds of drag pessure, so unless you are fishing with a reel with at least 15 pounds of drag 90% of the reels of the world won 't cut it.

Wouldn't the reel be rated for 20lb test hence a drag system to match the line capability?

I guess 25 % is the magic number then?

[islandbass]

I thought it was 75% of your line strength?

What if ...... you are fishing with let 's say 20 lbs test ? that would equal 15 pounds of drag pessure, so unless you are fishing with a reel with at least 15 pounds of drag 90% of the reels of the world won 't cut it.

Wouldn't the reel be rated for 20lb test hence a drag system to match the line capability?  

I guess 25 % is the magic number then?

The drag is set at a certain percentage of the line's breaking strength. Anywhere from 25 - 33% should be alright. When the drag is set as such, barring abrasion or wear on the line and a good working drag and a rod rated to protect the line you are using, the fish should not break the line no matter how much it runs.

[jwo1124]

Alright, because the reel i was looking at had different max drags for different models.

170/8 had a max @ 8.8#

200/10 max @ 8.8#

210/12 max @ 13.2#

this sounds about 100-90% but then you have to take into cdonsideration the extra two larger line classes on each of the reels. Usually they list the lightest line they take.

so if a reel takes 170 yds. of 8# test, it also takes X yards of 10# and X yards of 12#, so on for the other two reels. So 13.2# max drag is more than enough fishing with 12# but if you had 14 or 17# on the same reel with not as much yards on, then 13.2 max drag is 77% of your line . I'm sure this is more than suffficient though.

[Raul]

Yeah, the only small detail everybody seems to forget is that your rod may break if you or the fish apply too much pressure.

[tyrius.]

So 13.2# max drag is more than enough fishing with 12# but if you had 14 or 17# on the same reel with not as much yards on, then 13.2 max drag is 77% of your line . I'm sure this is more than suffficient though.

If you set your drage at the max of 13.2 with 17# test you'll break off fish that can pull with 13 lbs of pressure.  The knot is the weakest point in the setup (you hope).  The knot removes a certain percentage of the line's rated strength.  This depends upon which knot you use and how well you tie that knot.  You never want to set a drag anywhere near the rated strength of your line.

[jwo1124]

I've never broken off a fish, and I've caught 3-4# bass on L power ugly stiks and 4 and 6# test. I've never cranked my drag all the way, I usually just messa round with it until i can pull some line out from holding my line beyond the rod tip and bend the rod up.

[flechero]

I wouldn't tie a gallon jug of water to the end of my line and swing it around with a swimbait rod...  and that is only 8 lbs.  

The most recommended drag settings are to go 1/4-1/3 of line rating with mono and if you use braid go with 1/4-1/3 of the rods mid range of line rating.

Edited to add:  if you use 75% of line strength or whatever was mentioned above, you'll be lucky if you only break off a fish or pull hooks out at the side of the boat...  it could get real expensive if you aren't very lucky...   I guess it works fine on smaller fish but i would hate to see you post about a PB that broke off due to a drag setting.  That would be a real shame.

[roadwarrior]

If you measure your weight with a scale, I doubt you'll want more than three or four pounds unless you are using a pool cue! Put weight into a plastic grocery bag and tie your line to the bag. GENTLY lift the bag with your rod tip. Your drag will begin to release and you will have an accurate measure of your setting. Even with a Heavy Power rod, four pounds is a lot of drag.

[tyrius.]

I've never broken off a fish,

Not to be a jerk or anything but didn't you also write this today?

To add what RW said about Berkely making several terrible lines. I purchased VANISH fluoro around the time it came out and all the pros were talking about it. I lost more fish in a few outings using that stinkin' line than I have in my ten years of fishing. I started using Triline when I was a youngster because BASS would send me free spools for signing up to their magizine.

That's just a little stap I had to take at Berekly ofr losing a couple fish.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1196196198

[Raul]

Guys don 't waste your time explaining:

I've never broken off a fish, and I've caught 3-4# bass on L power ugly stiks and 4 and 6# test. I've never cranked my drag all the way, I usually just messa round with it until i can pull some line out from holding my line beyond the rod tip and bend the rod up.

It 's like trying to discuss with KVD about spinnerbaits, the man does it all the time so who are we simple earthly mortals to contravene ?

Yeah right, like if a 4 pounder were the biggest bass in the planet.  :

[.RM.]

I was just checking out a Daiwa reel and it has a maximum drag listed. I have never seen this before. If someone could explain this to me it would be appreciated.

What it really is, is the max drag settings you can get with the installed drag pad system, and that any drag setting over that toward direct drive, will add to much back torque and injure the one-way roller clutch. You also have the rod to worry about..

As stated before setting drag pressure at 1/3 line strength, is the proper use of the drag systems...

Just my .02¢

Tight Lines All!!     "But not to tight"

[Pond Hopper]

Thanks for the topic, it reminded me to turn down all the drag settings for the winter

[lubina]

  You never want to set a drag anywhere near the rated strength of your line.

True, specially if you are using braid like I do.