Set drag

Most of the time you will be setting the drag by the bend in the rod, that is most rods will reach maximum bend before the line load gets high.

 

Well this is a good question.

From the old charter boat days we always used one third of the line test and set it with a scale. But we were Marlin fishing. In the surf I just go by "Feel", meaning If I think that big critters are around I'll back off the drag until it will slip on the pick up. If fishing in the summer and the chance of a big fish is a long shot, a tighter drag is easier to deal with. Of course I've been busted off before.

I quess I didn't give you a solid answer, but to me the feel of the deal is the way to go.

 

Depending what you read, recommended drag settings range from 25% to 50% of the line test rating.
Any opinions on drag setting relative to line strength?

Many folks do it with a scale. I've found that to be kind of impractical,at least when on the planks or in the surf. Wilber does it same as I,by feel. The bend of the rod is an indicator of the stress being put on the line as well. Have put a scale on it,with 20# test I was using 7lb of drag. IMHO,if you use 50% I think you are asking for a breakoff when a biggun gets on there.. I actually back the drag off a bit after a fish gets over half my spool,because then water pressure as well as drag has to be taken into account then. I've pulled hooks,been bit off,frayed off,and cut off,but the one thing that is hard for me to stomach is a breakoff.

 

Yea..I'm a feely kinda guy too...and I agree DD, the worst is a breakoff.ESPECIALLY at the knot.Then ya know for sure where the fault lies ...the R

 

I feel the scale while playing around is a good way to learn what things feel like. Remember your drag setting should never go over 50%(extreme lock down) and probably max at 30% when fighting a fish.

 

Basically it depends on what I am targeting and where I am fishing. I have really enjoyed surf fishing this year and if I am targeting larger species, I will usually keep it on the light side. As far as percentages go I will usually just eyeball it like the others do. When targeting small fry, I will usually set the drag fairly tight. The only time I will have the drag set tight is when I am fishing for structure oriented fish such as tog.

 

The only thing I would add to what's already been said, is that you need to consider the line test.

By that, I mean that the percentage of drag that's appropriate for a 50# trolling rod, or a 30# "stand up" outfit, isn't going to work on a 3 oz., 9' surf rod with 10# line.

A softer, slower action rod is more forgiving, and will require a bit more drag, in order to get good hook sets.

A stiffer rod, will break you off quicker, if you use too much drag.

As a general rule, "less is more."

 

Me, I cast out, then lighten the drag until the wind or current start taking the line off, then I tighten up so it will stop. Upon a "taker", I to tighten drag by feel, and many times during a fight will tighten and loosen drag as needed in an effort to bring about a happy conclusion for this fisherman. Use my fingers on spool also to let a lighter drag stop and go by more feel.

 

Meant to get back to this but events intervened.
First thanks for all the helpful comments.
I’ve been doing it by feel also but I weighed what felt right, I was surprised to see that I was a third or less. I usually use line that is in the mid range of the rod rating so I guess it works out even for people like me who don’t know what they are doing.

 

Sounds to me like you Do know what you are doing. Like they say, "If it feels good do it".

 

Watch out for oversetting drags when using braid

As braid has no stretch, set your drag on the lighter side and use a shock leader or leader to help absord some of the shock. There is a tendency to put higher lb test lines on reels that are not designed for the higher test lines. Example: Putting 50 lb braid on a reel that calls for 20 lb test can burn out the drag if it is set to tight.