I've read that the drag on a reel should be set to 30% of the breaking
strength of the line.I for one,have never,ever bothered to check my drag with a scale.I go by feel.Naturally,it has to be tight enough as not to slip during a cast(spinners),especially with braid when throwing
3 and 4oz. metal and plugs.But not so tight as to break during the initial hit and run.Maybe the boat guys check with a scale for tuna and such.
How do you determine drag settings?

if you set your drag at 30% of 60 lb braid, you are going to straighten alot of hooks and rip alot of bass lips.

I agree w/ Nebe. A 30% drag setting would be a definite canidate for straighten hooks and ripped out plugs. I set by feel. When the 50 lb. braid gets wet, I give it a pull. I adjust the drag so the line just starts coming and hurts my hand . About 10-12lbs. If I need to stop a train before it finds a rock , I finger the spool or give it a 1/2 turn more. This figures in around 30%. I feel the key to how tight is tight ,is that a marginal fish isn't running around in a cat and mouse game. The longer they are on decreases their survival rate when released.

By feel.Why complicate it with numbers?

I set it by feel. A scale? Just one more thing I don't need to be carrying.

By feel, but I pay more attention with spinners since a loose drag can cut you up on a cast, and it also takes an extra second to adjust most spinners. I am one with the star drag on my abu.

By feel.Why complicate it with numbers?

Exactly!
Interesting though.I did some searching on-line at some fishing sites.
25-33% set for strike drags on boat rods.15%-18% on light tackle spinners.
I've always gone by feel too.

By feel. You catch enough fish, you will know exactly where your drag needs to be...

by feel too. always adjusting- for conditions and plug sizes.

by feel too. always adjusting- for... plug sizes.
Yea, nothing worse than throwing a 3 ounce plug with fireline on a spinner and forgetting to crank the drag down :lossinit:

-spence