Drag settings.

[NIB]

I remember doing that 5 yrs ago with Slip..We set our drags to the scale.
Maybe 8-10 lbs for the canal..With jigs I might use a tighter drag..
Evrything else..I fish a light drag...

[Chris in Mass]

4-5 lbs. taken at the reel for 20 lb mono. I do it every time before I go out - it's turned into a superstitious thing now. At a 4-5 lb setting, it takes like 10lbs+ on a VS250 to get the spool moving before it settles in if I remember correctly.

Taken from the fighting position (pain in the ass), a setting at the reel turns into a higher reading end of the line. I have measured 30 to 40% of the line rating. The type of rod and how you're holding it comes into play though. I find it's tough to get a consistent "running drag" reading this way. It's a two person job. Haven't done this in a long time.

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by NIB

I remember doing that 5 yrs ago with Slip..We set our drags to the scale.
Maybe 8-10 lbs for the canal..With jigs I might use a tighter drag..
Evrything else..I fish a light drag...

Yep, once we set it with the rod bent with a scale, I then could tell from a pull that I was within a pound or so of 10 lbs.
10 lbs. is what I like jigging the canal with 65 lb whiplash and 50 lb leader, I want to be able to stop a cow on the bottom fairly quickly so they don't wrap me up or get behind a rock and sulk. At that setting it takes atleast a 20-25 pounder to get even a foot of line. I don't want them to get their head and go with the current which is usually going pretty good. For plugging in the canal I use about 5 pounds.

On the beach I use less and adjust as needed.

Seal fishing requires more drag and stiffer rod

[luds]

I have no idea what I set mine at in terms of #'s. I just know whatever it is it's too tight. For some reason I just find myself always setting it that way. I need to get out of that habit this season. I also usually set my drag a little loser when using plugs w/ trebles. I've lost alot of fish too braid and a drag that's too tight.