Drag issues (yet again)

[Haris122]

Went today to Busch CA and at one point I hooked what felt like a decent fish. Unfortunately what followed was that the drag did not engage when it took off so within a few seconds the fish pulled the hook and went it's merry way. Now I've asked about this before, and I thought that by now this shouldn't be an issue any longer, but I had adjusted this drag to be a little below the breaking point for the line I'm currently using (2lb leader/4lb main line). I had attached the current setup someplace it would stay secured to, and pulled with the rod, adjusting drag until it just gave way shortly before the line would break. So the problem seems to be when fishing roostertails or crankbaits, especially if it's a so-so bite, the fish just get off from the pressure the rod exerts on the hook, with the drag not allowing them to run. The drag just seems too tight to have enough give, for most fish. To date I can distinctly remember a few 15-16" trout that actually peeled some of this drag, and even they had trouble. Most other things either break off from the force of the rod going against their run, or less frequently come in. I never really "set" the hook with things such as roostertails, since I don't think I can, it's pretty much up to the fish to do it, and the drag to respond appropriately. I do try putting more pressure on the hook with movement of the rod, but nothing too pronounced cause it otherwise results in an outright loss of the fish from me ripping the hook out.

Any advice on this?

[fishinwrench]

If the hook is pulling out and you aren't "setting the hook" then start setting the hook.  A nice jab is required with even the sharpest of hooks, much less the stock hooks on a Rooster tail spinner. 

What fish is in that Busch CA lake demanding 2# line ?     Most folks I know throw inline spinners on 6-8# line.  It takes a relatively high quality reel to have a drag system truly suitable for 2# line, and you never mentioned the make/model of your reel.  

[Johnsfolly]

Haris122

I'm assuming that you are using a spinning reel. Do you ever back reel? I do that a lot with larger fish. I feel that I can put more continuous pressure on the fish and have more control that way than letting them run against the drag alone. I set my drag pretty similar to what you have done. I do agree about trying to get a better hookset.

[Old plug]

Up your line test to 8-10 lb test and forget about the leader. i assume you think the tiny leader is so the fish can't see it. That might  matter some with trout but it does hot mean a thing in my book for bass. they are more concerned with what is on the end of the line than the line itself and what it is doing.

[Haris122]

As far as what fish is in there that required 2# line, none really. I just had it already rigged up for trout, and in my experience I rarely get anything big enough there to warrant stronger line. As far as setting the hook, I just can't see how you set the hook with roostertails. Just about every time I really gave it a good "jab" all it did was rip the hook out and bye goes the fish.

As far as make and model of the reel, it's a zebco micro 33, on a light action 5'6" rod. Why would 2# be more difficult for drag to work? Shouldn't the drag more quickly engage when set for line that light? 

Back-reeling, I can't say I've ever willingly done, and I'm not sure I trust myself, or a spincast reel to do that well.

As far as the leader, I just had it rigged up for trout. But regardless when fishing roostertails I usually have a leader that attaches to a barrel swivel with a small weight above that, both to increase casting distance and reduce line twist. And in the past the bass have not really mind so I stuck with it.

[ollie]

sounds to me like you need to up your line test.  Even for trout with a spinning reel I never go below 4#.  When bass fishing you need something stronger IMO.

[Fish24/7]

3 hours ago, Haris122 said:

a zebco micro 33

$16 reels you get what you pay for

$30-40 reels have "better" drags

$50+ reels are equipped with  smoother, more reliable drags

not sure of your financial situation, but you may want to look into using something else if you want a reliable drag system

I used to fish a lot at Bush CA. 33  was/is my fav lake there.

 

[fishinwrench]

The importance of balanced tackle can be taught over a forum like this, but proper hook setting is something learned over time, kinda like a golf swing.  Just keep fishing.  The longer you do it the better you become.  

[jim m]

some good advice above, hang in there and with rooster tails and crank baits try sweeping the rod instead of a hard jerk you need a little to get the hook penetrated

[Haris122]

I hope so Wrench. But I'd have figured 3-4 years into it, I'd get that by now. Jim, I feel like that's what I've been doing. I have gotten to the point when fishing those, that I don't do a really sudden set because it rips the hooks out, so I've tried setting it a bit more gradually I guess you'd say.

 

So let me ask you guys this, short of fish at the upper end of what the line can handle (like I guess those 15-16" trout that did peel drag in my case for example), would a slightly smaller/weaker fish (like let's say a 13-14" trout to keep things consistent) at any point peel drag, or does it only end up fighting the rod the entire time. Because right now that's what seems to be happening to me. It seems to get to the point of them being strong enough to pull the hook, but not peel drag if that makes sense.