Fighting larger fish

[VeeMike]

Maybe I missed a response to the "setting my drag" question. But I follow the following rule of thumb.

For mono, 1/3rd the lb. test rating; for superbraids/Fireline, etc., 1/4 the lb. test rating.

So when I use 35# Berkley Fireline I set my drag to around 8 lbs. I'll attach a simple fish scale to the ground, hook my rigged line via a snap to the scale, then lean back on the loaded rod until my assistant at floor level tells me the scale is bouncing around 8 - 9 lbs. Same for mono which is more forgiving of the sudden strike so you can go a little tighter on the drag. I set my 20# Cajun mono rigged to my 9'4" St. Croix popping rod with my Penn 704 to about 7 lbs. 7 lbs. of pull on the scale for 20# test is 1/3rd the test rating. Obviusly 8 to 9 lbs. pull on my 35# test Fireline is 1/4th the line's test rating.

[Striperhound]

The right equipment helps also. Last year I mainly fished with a Lami 1084 9 footer and had some issues pulling bigger fish out of the rocks when they would run. This year, I stepped up to a 10 footer and the stopping power is much different and the extra foot helps when dancing around rocks.

[JPowers]

capesams,

Exactly.

[steelhead]

You're right CS. I'm fishing in a very rocky area from shore. A shoal that goes out 400 yards or so. Current and waves come from both sides. On the left there is a very deep hole with a stony bottom. At low tide, the is just uner water. At high its about 12 to 14 feet under, with the usual larger boulders and gullies in between. I'm not too sure about the right of the shoal, as it'sd tough so steep and rocky that I'm afraid to even walk out there. I suspect that when I look at a chart, it drops there too. This place gets huge surf and swells.

[JHABS]

Keep the Pressure on and most Important give the Fish no Slack Line

[Nebe]

While i did just land a big bass, i really dont get alot of them, but when I am out I will always keep my drag almost locked down. This will help me really set the hook. Then after setting i will reach down right away and loosen the star drag a bit- Because of this style that i fish, i am considering switching to the avet lever drag, but i digress. I keep the drag tight, set the hook, loosen a tad and let the bass run. when its running I am standing still waiting for the bass to slow. As soon as it stops i start winching after i feel that i have turned its head. I try to get them in quick so I can release them..

oh, an if your drag is too tight after you set the hook, the bass will start head shaking. before i started loosening my drag after setting the hook, i lost a lot of bass... my guess is that with the braid, the bass simply rips out the hook. keep it loose and let them think they can get away...

I think you can get away with a locked drag the whole time with mono.. but with braid you have to have a loose enough so you dont rip lips.

my 10 ¢

[Backbeach Jake]

I've lost more fish with Braid and locked drag than any other way. The ones than did come in sported enlarged holes where the hooks were. Loose drag for me on the beach now.

[kippy]

Originally Posted by Eben

While i did just land a big bass, i really dont get alot of them, but when I am out I will always keep my drag almost locked down. This will help me really set the hook. Then after setting i will reach down right away and loosen the star drag a bit- Because of this style that i fish, i am considering switching to the avet lever drag, but i digress. I keep the drag tight, set the hook, loosen a tad and let the bass run. when its running I am standing still waiting for the bass to slow. As soon as it stops i start winching after i feel that i have turned its head. I try to get them in quick so I can release them..

oh, an if your drag is too tight after you set the hook, the bass will start head shaking. before i started loosening my drag after setting the hook, i lost a lot of bass... my guess is that with the braid, the bass simply rips out the hook. keep it loose and let them think they can get away...

I think you can get away with a locked drag the whole time with mono.. but with braid you have to have a loose enough so you dont rip lips.

my 10 ¢

I like this technique Eben. I fish braid so I'm going to try it out. I usually keep my drag loose but will try tightening it for the hookset and then loosening it up.