How to Set the Drag on a Fishing Reel
Determine what kind of reel you use., Locate your drag adjustment., Learn the breaking strength for your line., Get a scale.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Determine what kind of reel you use.
There are three basic types of reels that contain your line.
This article won't get into the pros and cons of each; instead, it's important that you know what kind you have and where the drag adjustment is located.
Spincasting reels are closed face.
Your line will be encased by a cone-like cover and the line feeds out of a small hole in it.Spinning reels are open-faced.
Your line spool will be exposed and you'll be able to watch it spin out.
This one looks the most exposed.Baitcasting reels look like a mix between an open- and closed-face reel.
The most noticeable feature is that the whole line spool will turn when you cast the line. -
Step 2: Locate your drag adjustment.
Now that you know what kind of reel you're using, learn where the drag adjustment is located on your reel.
The spincast's drag adjustment is usually next to the reel handle.
It looks somewhat like a star-shaped knob and may click as you play with the drag.
This allows you to hear just how much you're adjusting.
The spinning reel's drag adjustment is a circular knob facing out at the front of your line spool.
The baitcaster's drag adjustment looks like a star and is located next to the reel handle.
Turning it clockwise will tighten it and counter-clockwise loosens the drag., Look on the package your line came in.
It should clearly state in pounds how much resistance your line can handle without breaking.
This will tell you what your optimum drag should be.
Drag should always be no more than 25 percent of your your breaking strength's resistance.
To figure drag, simply divide your breaking strength by
4.
The result is what your drag should be set at., Now that you know what your drag should be, you'll need to see where your drag is currently set.
You can use a digital scale or a spring scale (such as the sort used to weigh fish).
Both have a hook at the end to which you attach your line. -
Step 3: Learn the breaking strength for your line.
-
Step 4: Get a scale.
Detailed Guide
There are three basic types of reels that contain your line.
This article won't get into the pros and cons of each; instead, it's important that you know what kind you have and where the drag adjustment is located.
Spincasting reels are closed face.
Your line will be encased by a cone-like cover and the line feeds out of a small hole in it.Spinning reels are open-faced.
Your line spool will be exposed and you'll be able to watch it spin out.
This one looks the most exposed.Baitcasting reels look like a mix between an open- and closed-face reel.
The most noticeable feature is that the whole line spool will turn when you cast the line.
Now that you know what kind of reel you're using, learn where the drag adjustment is located on your reel.
The spincast's drag adjustment is usually next to the reel handle.
It looks somewhat like a star-shaped knob and may click as you play with the drag.
This allows you to hear just how much you're adjusting.
The spinning reel's drag adjustment is a circular knob facing out at the front of your line spool.
The baitcaster's drag adjustment looks like a star and is located next to the reel handle.
Turning it clockwise will tighten it and counter-clockwise loosens the drag., Look on the package your line came in.
It should clearly state in pounds how much resistance your line can handle without breaking.
This will tell you what your optimum drag should be.
Drag should always be no more than 25 percent of your your breaking strength's resistance.
To figure drag, simply divide your breaking strength by
4.
The result is what your drag should be set at., Now that you know what your drag should be, you'll need to see where your drag is currently set.
You can use a digital scale or a spring scale (such as the sort used to weigh fish).
Both have a hook at the end to which you attach your line.
About the Author
Janet Gray
Enthusiastic about teaching DIY projects techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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