Sweetwater Fishing Forums

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: takrat on September 22, 2011, 09:47:50 AM

Title: Drag figures
Post by: takrat on September 22, 2011, 09:47:50 AM
It's not easy to get an accurate figure on how much drag a reel will be capable of; unless you believe everything you read on the manufacturers specs. I'd be interested in hearing how many of us actually fish with a locked up drag anyhow. I don't and never hear much about it here either.
John.
Title: Re: Drag figures
Post by: 4weightfanatic on September 22, 2011, 09:57:29 AM
I use a locked drag all the time .......................to get my lures out of the trees ::)
Title: Re: Drag figures
Post by: takrat on September 23, 2011, 10:48:15 AM
Pulling trees down with 50lb braid is evironmentally insensitive...or so I'm told
JD
Title: Re: Drag figures
Post by: 4weightfanatic on September 23, 2011, 11:21:35 AM
It's when they let go that I start thinking about things sensitive -LOOK OUT !!!
Title: Re: Drag figures
Post by: Binder on September 24, 2011, 05:21:11 AM
I wouldn't say I've fished with it locked up, but I fish for pond donkeys with the drag wound up until it gets chunky then back it off slightly!

Thats usually enough to have me buggered within about 10 minutes of hooking the fish.
Title: Re: Drag figures
Post by: Apollo on September 24, 2011, 05:27:22 AM
I normally fish fair light so don't (can't) crank the drag up much.  That was until a recent trip to the swains where I was bommie bashing in the shallows.  There is no real option - locked up drags and go hard or it is over in seconds.  I have done drag tests on some of my heavier gear to try and get some balance, but haven't done any on the light or fly gear.

Steve
Title: Re: Drag figures
Post by: Johnny Mitchell on September 25, 2011, 09:14:07 PM
What is a locked up drag anyway? If it's actually locked up, it's useless to anyone as it's not actually working properly. Many people don't fully understand drags and the play makers that increase or decrease the total pressures on the line and knots, when fishing. I've had many clients tell me my reel is faulty and the line won't pull off the spool. When checked , everything is fine and the setting for the drag on the 20 lb braid is at a level that I call ' soft'. Understanding tackle is best learned in the backyard with a set of scales, a rod and reel and a fence post.
Title: Re: Drag figures
Post by: takrat on September 30, 2011, 07:55:42 PM
One of the greatest features of this site is the way the members have instant input. Johnny, the term "locked up drag" is frequently found in the general fishing media. This then is one of the best ways I know of debunking a few myths. I don't know anyone who does up the drag with a pair of multigrips, the yardstick was always setting it to roughly one third of the line class being used. I still work on that basis.
Cheers
JD
Title: Re: Drag figures
Post by: Sweetwater on September 30, 2011, 11:12:32 PM
I don't know anyone who does up the drag with a pair of multigrips, the yardstick was always setting it to roughly one third of the line class being used. I still work on that basis.
Cheers
JD

I have, once, but that was extreme scenario. I didn't land many more fish but i got more lures back (albiet with straightened out terminal gear).

A locked up drag can also be more a reflection on piss poor drag capability of a reel than the need for allowing a fish ZERO room to run.