Help With Figuring Out Drag And How It Affects The Fight

[Haris122]

About 2 days ago I ended up fishing Upper Fabick Lake for a couple hours after work, and though it turned out good, it could've been better, and I think the drag may be partially to blame. I caught 5 fish that evening, only 2 of them weren't real small. One was a 8" Bluegill or Redear, and the other a 13" Largemouth. Now to the problem. I hooked up at least another 5 times on top of those 5 when I managed to bring the fish in. 2 of those times it was another decent Largemouth (maybe even same one). Both those times I had the Bass on for 5-10 seconds or so, and even saw it take the lure on the 2nd occasion. Both times the Bass managed to shake the roostertail close to me bringing it in.

So now my question is, what are some symptoms of having a drag set too low when you end up loosing a fish during such a fight, and what are the symptoms of too tight a drag? How can I tell if I lost the fish to a drag that had too little resistance, or too much? In the first case for sure, and I'm pretty certain in the second as well, the Bass started putting the drag to work shortly before it got off. Later when I got that 13" to shore I had adjusted the drag to be pretty stout and essentially horsed it to shore, but I feel like I lost a lot of fish to this problem in the past and there's bound to be plenty good ones I can't just horse to shore.

[Feathers and Fins]

_{Haris; there is more reason to lose a fish than to land one as we all know. But this is what I do on all my reels to help minimize the chances it’s the reel.}

1. _{As soon as I buy it I take it apart and clean the inside out completely then repack with Vaseline, it is an old saltwater trick to help keep a reel smooth for years and water resistant.}

2. _{I will check the drag washers at least once a month and replace every 3 months depending on use.}
3. _{I set the drag with a fish scale, simply attach the line to a hook on the ground and lift the rod till it gets a nice arc about 30 degrees, Using 10lb test for example I will set the drag at 4lbs at the 30 degree arc.}

_{3a. remember as line comes off a reel more drag is created in the water so you do not want to ever set the drag to tight.}

1. _{Using a cutip run it through the bail and check for burs and do the same on the rods guides.}
2. _{Before fishing pull off 100 ft of line and feel for abrasions you would be surprised how many times you will find them.}
3. _{Never adjust the drag during a fight it’s just asking for a lost fish.}
4. _{Check the drag several times a day with the scale method if you are catching a lot of fish or snagging a lot.}

[ozarkgunner]

Some times you have to adjust the drag with a bigger fish or you will lose it.

[ColdWaterFshr]

With bass you are going to have that drag set fairly tight to get a good hookset. Not sure what size roostertails you are using, but those small treble hooks don't offer a whole lot of grip on a bigger largemouths jaw, and especially if you hear your drag scream when you do hookset. Adjust your drag AFTER to have the fished hooked pretty good and you are playing it.

[Haris122]

Normally I can't say I really "set" the hook with roostertails (or crankbaits, and most other baits I mainly get hits on the retrieve on). It's more of a matter of the fish setting itself I feel like. Sometimes the bite can be subtle enough that I'm not even certain that it is a fish or just hitting against some kind of structure, until I'm already in the thick of the fight. How hard it hits the roostertail and how quickly the roostertail is being reeled in by me at that moment, is what primarily determines how good it gets hooked. Afterwards I'm wary of really setting it any more than it got set naturally for fear of ripping it out of it's mouth instead. I just try to keep tension on the line, by having the rod bent high or to the side and reeling in fast, which kind of cuts down on the time to set the hook. How should I approach it instead?

[REDSOXWSCHAMP]

I like to set the hook just hard enough to cross their eyes, but not cause any permanant damage.

[drew03cmc]

Normally I can't say I really "set" the hook with roostertails (or crankbaits, and most other baits I mainly get hits on the retrieve on). It's more of a matter of the fish setting itself I feel like. Sometimes the bite can be subtle enough that I'm not even certain that it is a fish or just hitting against some kind of structure, until I'm already in the thick of the fight. How hard it hits the roostertail and how quickly the roostertail is being reeled in by me at that moment, is what primarily determines how good it gets hooked. Afterwards I'm wary of really setting it any more than it got set naturally for fear of ripping it out of it's mouth instead. I just try to keep tension on the line, by having the rod bent high or to the side and reeling in fast, which kind of cuts down on the time to set the hook. How should I approach it instead?

If you are losing fish after the take and "hook set" it isn't a matter of your drag, it's a matter of not setting the hook. There are barbs on those hooks. Cross his eyes and leave your drag alone. Don't worry about taking a scale out every couple hours to make sure it is set to x pounds, just set the darn hook.

[Wayne SW/MO]

The mechanical drag will lose as many fish as it will help you catch most of the time. You don't say what kind of reel however.

I set my drags light and use hand or thumb to instantly adjust. On a spinning reel keep the anti reverse off and back reel when needed. The drag will still give you protection if the fish moves too fast. It isn't as easy on a baitcaster, but I always keep it as light as possible while still being able to retrieve because I can always increase it with my thumb.

[Haris122]

If you are losing fish after the take and "hook set" it isn't a matter of your drag, it's a matter of not setting the hook. There are barbs on those hooks. Cross his eyes and leave your drag alone.

I guess I've just grown a bit apprehensive about setting it past the initial light set I get from quickly tilting the rod to keep tension tight, cause I expect it to just rip out of it's mouth much more often than not. I guess I got to get over that fear some time.

You don't say what kind of reel however.

Its an assortment of them. A few spinning reels of various kinds, as well as some spincast reels like the abumatic, and Zebco 33 Platinum for example.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Haris the spin cast drags are tough to set because of the line path. The spools in them aren't conducive to having line pulled off to begin with so the end result is that the drag will increase no matter what you do. If you're having trouble I would set the drag light with a lot of line out and then learn to slide your thumb and forefinger to the line outlet and put pressure on the line.

Many, and I'm one of them, believe 2 or 3 firm sets on a strike is better than a single hard set.