Drag

So I'm kind of new to fishing seriously. I'm curious as to how you guys set your drag. Does it depend on the species you're after? What rod/reel setup you're using? I mainly use a spinning setup and leave the drag pretty open on it. Then tighten it as need be. On my baitcaster, which I'm still learning how to use, I leave the drag a little more tight. Thoughts?

Ive always heard keep the drag at 1/3 your lbs test line. So if u use 10 lbs line set it at 3 lbs. have to have a scale of some kind to do this though. I fish a lot of ultralite stuff and have mine set so creek bluegills can strip drag on a good run. But my catfish pole with 80 pound braid lines drag is set pretty stiff as im not worried about to much that im going to catch break that line.
Keep doing what u do with keeping it set real light for now until u get more familiar.
Lose enough fish and youll figure it out also lol

[QUOTE=ErikSmith;493484]Ive always heard keep the drag at 1/3 your lbs test line. So if u use 10 lbs line set it at 3 lbs. have to have a scale of some kind to do this though. I fish a lot of ultralite stuff and have mine set so creek bluegills can strip drag on a good run. But my catfish pole with 80 pound braid lines drag is set pretty stiff as im not worried about to much that im going to catch break that line.
Keep doing what u do with keeping it set real light for now until u get more familiar.
Lose enough fish and youll figure it out also lol[/QUOTE]

Me too, but I'm allways adjusting my drag......You can generally "feel" when a fish needs more or less.....I usually err on the side of caution though, and set the drag a little looser when fighting.

[QUOTE=fishin'fool;493482]So I'm kind of new to fishing seriously. I'm curious as to how you guys set your drag. Does it depend on the species you're after? What rod/reel setup you're using?[/QUOTE]

Probably more on the species and size than anything else. Obviously, if you're fishing for bluegill, and happen to have 6-lb line on, it's not going to be much of an issue, but if you're going after anything of any size, that might potentially take any drag, you want to be sure it has the opportunity to do so, and not have your drag set too tight. Like Geo said, err on the side of caution and set it loose; you'll get the feel for it.

I use it more in what situation I have in front of me. If I am in heavy brush with heavy line and need to get the fish out I max it out. Look at what you are fishing to determine what you need.

[QUOTE=fishin'fool;493482]So I'm kind of new to fishing seriously. I'm curious as to how you guys set your drag. Does it depend on the species you're after? What rod/reel setup you're using? I mainly use a spinning setup and leave the drag pretty open on it. Then tighten it as need be. On my baitcaster, which I'm still learning how to use, I leave the drag a little more tight. Thoughts?[/QUOTE]

I fish both spinning and baitcaster, I fish my drag rather tight, with the stretch in the line, and the bend in the rod, it can take away from your hook set, a spinning set up will take more presser on the line given the guides on the rod are on the bottom of the rod, I have learned to fish my spinning outfit with the anti reverse off, I back reel, I can get the most out of my hook set, and give the fish line if necessary, even with the baitcaster you can push the button and give the fish some line till you adjust the drag.... JMO

Gary