Drag settings.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by t.orlando

Anyone ever actually measure what they use for stripers? After always just doing the pull until it felt right method, I was curious what my drag really was set for. So I tied up to a scale to get an accurate reading. Was kind of suprised to see I only fish with 4.5-5lbs of drag. So, how much is everyone else using? Even with that light drag, I've only had 3 bass take a very substantial run, 2 in heavy current.

Yp--that's why I always roll my eyes and bite my tongue when I read posts on other sites about guys fishing 20+ pounds of drag.

[Raider Ronnie]

Originally Posted by Mike P

Yp--that's why I always roll my eyes and bite my tongue when I read posts on other sites about guys fishing 20+ pounds of drag.

20lbs will land a school tuna !
Most guys set their tuna reels (50s) around 26-28lbs

[Slingah]

I always wondered how/why people set or measured their drag for striped bass...since you usually change it during outings to adjust for different size fish...and how would you know what your gonna get ??
Im still confused on this...

[WadingWill]

I'm always light on my drag. Never measured I use the same method you guys do though. Isn't there an equation to set your drag to 20% of the line strength? Thought I read that somewhere.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by WadingWill

. Isn't there an equation to set your drag to 20% of the line strength? Thought I read that somewhere.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by Mike P

Yp--that's why I always roll my eyes and bite my tongue when I read posts on other sites about guys fishing 20+ pounds of drag.

Same here. The drag numbers make me laugh.

Even mid teens will promptly land school tuna between 50 and 100 pounds on spin gear.

When some spin reel companies start talking about 40 pounds it starts getting really ridiculous.

I always advise people put their reel on a rod, make a loop in your line, and then have someone hold the scale and then pull HARD and find out when their drag starts slipping. It's almost always educational.

[Redsoxticket]

lets say that you have your drag set at 5 pds at the reel.

Now, how many pounds will it take (more or less) if the measurement was taken with with the rod flexing at about 4 ft from the rod given the same criteria above, that is 5 pds at the reel ?

[BigBo]

Never measured.

[spence]

Originally Posted by Redsoxticket

lets say that you have your drag set at 5 pds at the reel.

Now, how many pounds will it take (more or less) if the measurement was taken with with the rod flexing at about 4 ft from the rod given the same criteria above, that is 5 pds at the reel ?

Even less I'd imagine. Unless the drag numbers at the reel assumed some flex from the rod.

-spence

[Redsoxticket]

I say more because there will be a Force vectors (Fx and Fy) at each guide which absorb the high loads.

[Redsoxticket]

If you had a pool cue rod with only one guide then the measurement would be the same that is 5 pds.
Now with multiple guides, flexing rod then the weight will be absorbed on the guides.

[spence]

I think the question here is about the net force on the drag. Certainly the flex on the rod will absorb force, but are the drag settings from the manufacturer assuming fishing conditions or just a raw measurement?

-spence