Fishing Tips

Fishing Tips

Pre-Setting Drag

Drag on your reel should be set long before you go into the field

Timothy Kusherets

Drag is not something that you should be trying to set when you are fighting a fish. The last thing that you need is one more thing to worry about when you have a fish flailing about at the end of your line. The drag on your reel should be set long before you go into the field. A great way to set it is by setting up your rod at home as though you were going fishing. Tie your line to a scale and pull back on your pole until one third of the strength of your line reveals itself on the scale. That means if your line is ten-pound test then three pounds of pull is sufficient. By the time any fish can pull the rest of the line from your reel it will be at the maximum pounds of ten. Remember; set the drag to one third of its capabilities. This premise for setting your test is good for any reel at any test. If you need to stop the fish in a hurry you can apply your thumb to the side of the spool very gently. You must pay attention not to apply too much pressure or for very long or you risk snapping your line.

© Timothy Kusherets 2004/08