Drag Setting in a Sand Spike

[JohnR]

Marty... I think the Shimano Bait Runner (and those with that same feature) is the best "sand spike reel" for it's ability to have two settings, one to let the fish fun and one to actually fight the fish. There is another option. Have you tried to use circle hooks? I've used them a limited amount of times with cut bait (I don't like them for eels) and they work pretty well in addition to being good for the fish. You also don't need to do the big hookset like you normally would do. This can allow you to set the drag more for fighting the fish. Most of the better circle hooks come very sharp to begin with so you shouldn't need to sharpen them...

One thing that was hammered into my brain by many people when I used spinning reels is to properly set your drag before you cast. Bad form to change your drag with a fish on, certainly taboo to tighten a drag. This is not an issue with conventionals, just spinners.