Using spinning reel drag

[Malottguy]

After reading the post about loosening your drag when not using your reel got me thinking.

There is a few questions here that I have.

First is which do you prefer front drag or rear? I prefer front drag systems as they seem to perform more smoothly for me.

Second is how loose do you keep it while fishing? I keep mine just loose enough that when i pull on the line by the reel it comes off easy with just slight tension.

Third is while fighting a fish do you adjust your drag? I adjust mine only when it is a must such as if they go under a log I loosen just a tad or if my weight hangs up in a rock I tighten just barely (this works for me because the fish most times will pull the weight out).

I don't use my level wind much but do similar things as I do to the second and third questions.

Just would like to here some thoughts you all have.

[slipperybob]

Mostly it depends on the line I'm using and the technique or rig.

For spinning reels, if I have like a 6# line on my light reels that only outputs like 5# of drag, then it's almost safe to set high on the drag. Some of my other next size up reels have drags around 10# so with 8-10# lines I can still set my drag high. However I tend to set my drags low to about only 1/3 of the reel's max drag. That's enough to put a hook set on the fish without tearing a big hole. Also if I hook into a big fish that suddenly surges, it helps to not break the line.

For baitcasting reels, I generally set 3/4 of max drag. I usually have a stronger line on the baitcasting reels.

[toadfrog]

I'll Take a rear drag anytime . I set my drag according to the species I'm after . perch and crappie about 1/4 drag. Catfish and bass 3/4 thats where the rear drag helps keep you fingers away from the line and it won't hurt to reset with a fish on . If the fish gets hung I normally just tip my rod for some slack to see if it will swim loose from whatever cover its gotten hung on.Only mess with the drag when I have to .

[Malottguy]

I also tip my rod tip down at first if but more times than not its in rocks at that doesn't work. I think depending on what you fish for is the ultimate decision on how to set the drag.

I also think there is no true right or wrong answer as if it works for you then don't change LOL. It is cool learning how others do it though, because you never know what you will learn from it.

[JoeW]

Drag setting depends upon the fish expected, the tackle, and the line being used. For any spinning rig, I'll tie on the lure, then grab ahold of it, pull, put a deep bend in the rod, and tighten/loosen the drag until it gives when I tug. I do this every time I change lures as it's also a good way of testing your knot. My only exception is when steelhead fishing bigger rivers. Then I usually have out a long length of line, the current will put bends in it, the wind might be blowing a bow in the line, or I may be fishing bait deep with a lot of slack--- THEN, I clamp right down on the drag, as tight as possible. When a fish hits, the tight drag helps make certain I'm picking up all the slack and actually getting the hook to the fish! After setting the hook, then I quickly loosen the drag to almost nothing in preparation for a first big run. I never engage the anti-reverse as it provides a poor, but emergency, way of letting the fish run. Unfortunately sometimes I'm not quick enough and the fish wins! When I'm back in control, I'll slowly tighten the drag as the fish tires. Lotta drag work! And I always prefer the rear drags--- had too many bruised fingers from those old front drag Mitchell 300's- although I DO think the front drags run smoother.
The drag is the big reason I prefer fishing heavy lines for heavier fish with bait casting tackle. With those, I set the drag light-med, and clamp down with my thumb on a strike or when I need more drag. I wish someone would invent a spinning reel that had "thumb control" drag like on the baitcasters.
This works for me, although as I said, it's not 100% effective. Best---- JoeW

[Malottguy]

Joe I also test my knots by grabbing the lure. I would also be interested in a thumb controlled drag system. Hmmm maybe we need to invent one HA HA.

[bass or bass?]

My 3 spinning reels are all front drags. 2 Abu Garcia Cardinals and a Pflueger Solara. On the spinning and bait cast reels I keep the drag loose enough for it to sing a little when I set the hook and so the fish can take some line. This means the drag is set differently on different rigs. Obviously the drag setting on a light weight spinning Abu Garcia Cardinal 101 is much lighter than the setting on my Penn Peer 209 levelwind for flathead catfish! I rarely need to increase tension while fighting a fish.

[Malottguy]

Bass I just bought me a Cardinal spinning reel for fishing steelhead. I am replacing my old Shakespeare that I have used for years. How do you like them?

[bass or bass?]

Bass I just bought me a Cardinal spinning reel for fishing steelhead. I am replacing my old Shakespeare that I have used for years. How do you like them?



Very nice reels. I highly recommend them. I've had Shakespeare, South Bend, Daiwa, Abu Garcia, and Pflueger spinning reels and like the Abu Garcia Cardinal and Pflueger Solara that I currently own the best of all of them.

[Malottguy]

One reason I bought the Cardinal was the drag being smooth and with steelhead I need that smoothness LOL. Sad thing is I was on my second outing with my steelhead setup by fishing for triploid rainbows in a local lake called Rufus Woods (Washingtonians know about it well LOL) and has potential large fish (my personal best was almost 11 pounds and a friends was almost 17). Well I ended up having my rod break which was also a Shakespeare and is a few years old so it must have somehow got a hariline crack I couldn't see and when I made my last cast it broke. So good news is it gives me a reason to buy a new one :D.