Depending on the model of fishing reel, the drag will be a screw device and will either be at the back of the reel or the actual screw that holds the spool in place. The tighter you set the drag the more resistance there is to pulling the line from the spool.
The drag is a safety mechanism that allows the spool to turn when a certain tension is reached as line is pulled from the reel.
Article and images by J Boswell
Copyright www.fish-uk.com 1990
Copyright www.fish-uk.com 1990
What is the drag on a fishing reel ?
The drag on a reel acts like a clutch and is a safeguard against the fishing line snapping when you are playing a fish.
The drag on a reel acts like a clutch and is a safeguard against the fishing line snapping when you are playing a fish.
To set the drag on a reel accurately you will need a set of hand held scales.
2. With the rod held horizontal (having a friend hold it will help) pull down the scales until the line starts to pull off the reel. The rod may bend to a 90% angle before this happens.
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All rights reserved
Guide to Setting the Drag on a Fishing Reel
What is the correct drag setting for a fishing reel ?
The correct drag setting for a reel is such that, when playing a fish the drag slips and line can be pulled from the reel just before breaking !
The correct drag setting for a reel is such that, when playing a fish the drag slips and line can be pulled from the reel just before breaking !
Note
You might read of some anglers saying the reel drag should be set to slip at 20% or 25% of the breaking strength of the line when the rod is bent at a 90% angle (as if playing a big fish).
You might read of some anglers saying the reel drag should be set to slip at 20% or 25% of the breaking strength of the line when the rod is bent at a 90% angle (as if playing a big fish).
When the rod is bent at a 90% angle (see image) the drag should be set so that the line pulls off the reel at around 75% to 80% of the breaking strain of the line. With 6lb line this will be 4.5 to 5lb. This still leaves 1 to 1.5lb margin for errors.
The drag is set so that when you hook a fish you can play it and tire it out ready for netting. By setting the drag to the correct tension - measured in pounds or kilo's - if the fish does make a break for it your line will come off the reel and not snap. (hopefully)
Setting the drag on a reel.
3. The second the drag begins to slip and line comes off the reel, take a reading from the scales.
I disagree with this because if you are set up with 6lb breaking strain line and the drag is set to work at 25% when playing a fish, this will mean the line will be pulled off the reel when the tension reaches 1.5lb
1. With your rod set up and the line threaded through the rod rings, tie the loose end of the line to a set of hand held scales - these can be spring balance or digital.
4. Adjust the drag mechanism on the reel according to the reading from the scales until it starts to slip at around 75% to 80% of the breaking strain of the line you are using.
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