Setting the drag!!!

[Herm80]

Just curious how everyone sets there drag on conventional reels?

I have 4 Avet reels and I never checked the drags on them. Just used them right out of the box. I have 2-SX and 2-MXL's reels. After reading a thread on another website, I was wondering how tht members tested there drags.

This is what I did! I used a 20lb dumbell to check my Shimano spring scale. It was pretty much on the money.

I have 50lb power pro on both SX reels and 1 MXL reel, all three have 20lb mono backing. The other MXL has 30lb momo!

I then secured my line to to the dumbell, threw the rod guides, (Lamiglas Triflex rods with the MXL's and Lamiglas Inshore Classic's for the SX's) and set the reel in the strike position. After about 15 nice smooth pulls on the rod, and adjusting the drag knob, It felt good to me, so I measured it with the scale, 7bs of drag on the MXL and 6lb on the SX, after 3 more consecutive pulls, I came up with the same drag reading.

With the reel in the full position, at the same settings, the scale only read 10lbs of drag. Now should I keep adjusting the drag knob to get the exact drag, as recomended by AVET (9lb @ strike & 14lbs @ Max) on the reels with power pro or would this be fine. I fish mostly for Striped Bass, but also Blue Fish, Fluke and Black fish.

I would also like to know at what % do you set your drags, when you are using braided line. Now, I've always been told, the drag should be set at 25 to 30 % of the line strength. Thats understandable for mono but what about braid??

Avet recommends fightning the fish with the lever in the strike position, and only going to Max drag if needed.

As far as the drag on the reels, how often do you check it??

Thanks, Mike

[nautibuoys]

We do 1/3 the line breaking strength; so for 50lb test, we use 15-17lbs of drag. We also use a scale and check every time we go offshore, as we back the drags off at end of day so they don't take a set. Doesn't matter-mono or braid.

[Herm80]

No other tips on setting the drag, on conventional reels!!

[Captain Spike]

You need to use a set of scales to set your drag at a known point, the "Strike" position is as good a point as any. You choose how much you want but the norm for trolling is between 25% - 33% of the line breaking strain.

I've worked on charter boats targeting big blue marlin and it's also usual to establish the position of the drag lever at other amount of drag, say 50%, 70%, 80% and to use a small piece of electrical tape to mark the lever position at each of these. It's easy then for a mate who's tutoring an inexperienced angler to tell him how much drag is required at any point in the fight.

[doughnut]

As above.
You also need to calibrate the scale. That is. get a known weight(s) and weigh them. Note difference. For example: 5 lb dumbell may "weigh" 5.5 lbs on some scales. Then, 1/4 to 1/3 break strength of line. To do this, mount the reel on the rod you intend to use, run the line through the guides. Tie the scale off to bench or vise etc. Set drag to "strike" reel downtight, pull up, repeat about 5 times to get an accurate number. As far as avets go, you will not get anywhere near 30% with 50 lb.(15 lbs) so dont try. Set the drag at about 9 lbs at strike if you are fishing heavy line, less as is appropriate. (I.E. 6-7 lbs for 20 pound line) Another tip, AVET drags get better after seating in. To do this (yes, this works) set drag as above, put loop in end of line, put loop on trailer ball, have admiral drive away with line peeling drag, repeat. Drag will get hot. Usuall, 4 or 5 40 yard runs , let cool, when you are done, your drag will be smoother and up to 20% more powerful. I know it sounds idiotic, but it works, the carbon drag washer "faces" the drag surface like a clutch and flywheel. You can also do this by hooking large Tunnies and let them scream the drag off. Re-bait and repeat until limited on Tuna!

[Captain Nimrod]

Before a tournament, we would have a crew member hold the rod/reel at about a 45 degree angle while I would pull briskly on the line; reel in, pull down, reel in, pull down - doing htis weveral times owuld warm up the drag a bit and give a more accurate reading of actual drag that would be applied in an actual fight. Then, 25-33% of rated strength.



We use a scale and the scale is checked against actual weights (dumbells) periodically.

[JAGSARE1]

I do the same as Nimrod but only check with a hand scale with a "tell tale" so I know where it is set. I set at 30% of line strength and then I use tape on my reel to mark where 12 lbs of drag is. I use the 12 lb setting for swordfish and trolling for billfish.