Hello Everyone: Any tips on how to set the drag without using a drag scale? Is there a way to put a weight on the line? If one were to put a weight on the line how much line would you feed out to get a close drag weight? I do not want to buy another toy. My wife hits the ceiling everytime a package comes in from Charkbait or Penn Parts. She once said how many fishing reels do you need. My answer was how many shoes do you need. ;D
pull on the line. when it tinkles, you are at 25% of line weight or better.
We all have the problem of justifying our obsession I think, Pescachaser ;D
I learned long ago that it's best to keep my rods in a full rod-rack in plain sight. When a new one is added, the 'forest camouflages the tree'!!
And don't expect the 'shoes' analogy to work too well either... because "that's different" ::)
Cheers, T
if it doesnt tinkle buy the missus a pair of thongs
better to have a scale and know for sure.
Ok. I bit the bullet and just ordered a scale. :o Hey Big T: now that is an idea camouflage. All in jest. She really doesn't mind (I think). Now let's see, hmm did she have a smile on her face? ??? Alan: I ask a real question and you tinkle on my post, hmmm. ;D
If you already don't have a fish scale to weigh your fish, then maybe you need to buy one and have a dual purpose. This way, you can really say you caught a 20# fish instead of guessing.
hi pescachaser.ive been thinking about a serious answer to your ?attach the reel,run line thru guides,tie on empty bucket if you have no weights,tighten up drag.wait the reason is coming,pour in a couple of litres of water,take up slack,lift,repeat until rod tip is 90 deg, to butt.this is maximum,exceed and rod breaks.now release drag slowly until rod starts to straighten,drag is set.you know how much a litre of water weighs,right,so now you no how much the drag is.some rods dont bend 90 deg,rod breaks.alternetively,buy some pink hand scales,must be pink for your lovely wife,wait,not at tackle shop but at kitchen shop.the proceeds go to breast cancer reseach and you want to help,hero,now crawl and you may be able to borrow.now with the scales weigh the bucket of water x by 5= line to use.hoorah!
By "tinkles" I would guess that Alan meant the funny sound mono makes when it's pretty tight and running through the guides.
Dylan, You must be an Aussie. Over here "Tinkle" means to take the... or have a... P*** (Wee)
last throw of the dice,we have a good working curve in the rod,we have a greased fiber washer drag,smooth.we have 2.72 liters of fresh water,=6lb,multipyx5=30.line.wait for it,casting weight is 1oz=10lb so maxi is 3oz.
6lb drag 30lb line 3oz weight.does any of this help?
I have a 5 gallon bucket on the boat that is marked to the drag settings that I use frequently. Just fill with water to the line and lift the rod till the bucket lifts up and slowly settles back to the deck. This does require the use of a scale, or some careful measuring, but just once.
Or just use the old trick my mentor taught me when fishing for Ahi: Two hand drag-- keep tightening until you cant budge it with both hands, then its about right!
I've always used a scale to set my reels in the past, but in a pinch the bucket method sounds like a plan.
Never used it, so let me see if I've got this right.
1 gal H2o = 8.33Lbs
2 x 8.33 = 16.66Lbs
50LB test \ 3 = 16.66
So using 2gal of water in a bucket should give me a correct drag setting on a 4/0 (113h) running 50# mono
correct?
-g
Quote from: Gman_WC on June 30, 2011, 04:26:46 AM
I've always used a scale to set my reels in the past, but in a pinch the bucket method sounds like a plan.
Never used it, so let me see if I've got this right.
1 gal H2o = 8.33Lbs
2 x 8.33 = 16.66Lbs
50LB test \ 3 = 16.66
So using 2gal of water in a bucket sould give me a correct drag setting on a 4/0 (113h) running 50# mono
correct?
-g
Don't forget to weigh the bucket! ;D
:o Thanks Mako. I"ll now do the Homer Simpson "Dohh!" -g
dont forget the 50lb mono probably breaks at 70lb +,10% extra for line over guides,saltwater is heavier than fresh,oh simpson get the scales.doh!!!! ;D
Quote from: Pescachaser on August 25, 2010, 02:06:40 AM
Hello Everyone: Any tips on how to set the drag without using a drag scale? Is there a way to put a weight on the line? If one were to put a weight on the line how much line would you feed out to get a close drag weight? I do not want to buy another toy. My wife hits the ceiling everytime a package comes in from Charkbait or Penn Parts. She once said how many fishing reels do you need. My answer was how many shoes do you need. ;D
Nuccio, I just noticed this post, by now you should be able to set your drag by feel you old goat ;D. No scale or buckets, they get in the way on the boat ;D. I do as Alan does, I pull on the line and set the drag at 25%, no need to be perfect. I recently reilized that I have more reels than the wife has shoes, Wallace gave me a great tip: He said to sell some of her shoes and get myself another reel ;)
I'm thinking Wallace must live alone ;D ;D ;D
I've always wondered about the validity of setting drags accurately before starting a day of fishing.
I fish for large fish on the reef typically with 50lb braid. On an overhead reel the strike setting is light enough for me to pull some line off with reasonable force (how many pounds of pressure is this?). If a fish strikes and I need more drag I can use my thumb or push the lever past strike or turn the pressure dial - this is so easy it is 2nd nature. When using a spin reel I am forever setting the drag when playing the fish depending on the stage of the fight or whether I need to have the drag high at first to get fish out of bombies. It is a feel and experience thing in my view. I have never snapped line because the strike drag is set beyond the line's breaking point.
hi whiteman, the biggest worry with scales is the manufactures of rods and reels tell lies.if you use their data,set a 1/3 b/s its easy to blow up a reel or break a rod.been there done that.im back to the pull hand method and check after i land the fish with the scales.only because its interesting to me.in all my years of fishing i have never broke rod,reel with the pull method(no jokes necessary).another method and better for me because of the way i fish is to strech the rod to maxi;flex and back of a bit and set the drag at that.i dont like the line to touch the blank.i want the rod to work full on,non stop,drag slip over that.cant stop him,point the rod at fish crank it up.short rods are good. eg;5lb max;drag on the rod but im using 30lb braid and 100lb trace.the stiffer the rod more drag.works for me. my guess=8lb.cheers
wallace: When I started this thread I did not have a scale. I set my drag by feel. Since I bought a scale I have practiced on my lever drags to set the drag by scale and then I feel the drag. I can now set the drag by feel within a lb or 2. You are right in that you can feel the drag and estimate. On my big game reels I am amazed how I can barely move 30lbs at strike, but the fish rip off line in big way (I do keep the lever a little below strike so that the line does not break) . However the scale is the only way to be right on accurate. Dominick
you are right dom when it comes to marlin and such,they have their own special ways.whiteman was refering to 50lb line for bottom bashing.most fishermen dont need scales for that.2 blokes the other day,1 had a big tiagra,100lb+line,drag jammed up tight,the other saltiga 2speed,50lb braid,drag jammed up tight,when i asked why they both gave the same answer"you cant give em an inch."so what happens if a bronze whaler gets lip hooked? "its never happened"to each his own! it is an individual sport thats for sure,we saltwater athletes cant even agree on a knot!cheers mate
Yep, different fish targets, different methods - fishing for coral trout from a bombie you need to get em out ASAP so lock up drag while Fingermark (Lutjanus johni) need a very light drag until well hooked while spanish mackerel also have light strike drags so they can get that first big run out of the way. And then there is everything else in between!
We try to accurately set the drag, but what I found out after 45 years of fishing is that the fish is smarter than we are :-\. Hey Domenico did you get that scale at the 9th street Italian market? ;D
Quote from: Alto Mare on September 26, 2011, 01:27:43 AM
We try to accurately set the drag, but what I found out after 45 years of fishing is that the fish is smarter than we are :-\. Hey Domenico did you get that scale at the 9th street Italian market? ;D
Sal: I bought it at the salumeria, Calabria Pork Store on Arthur Ave. in the Bronx :). I totally agree with you that the fish are smarter than
you are ;D.
Whiteman: you are 100% correct. We have to fish for Salmon with barbless hooks here in California. So the drag is set a little tight while trolling so it will give you time to get the rod in your hands and the fish hooks itself.
Wallace: What is a bronze whaler ???? You stump me everytime. Strange fish in Australia. What is the best time to fish there? Maybe I'll take a trip there and fish with you :). Dominick
Wallace: I just Googled bronze whaler. That is one tough looking shark :o. Dominick
Quote from: Pescachaser on September 26, 2011, 07:54:02 PM
. What is the best time to fish there? Maybe I'll take a trip there and fish with you :). Dominick
[/quote]
You better make your mind up quick old man, the flight will take almost a day. ;D ;D ;D.
You're right Dominick , I also googled it, that's one though looking shark for sure.
I've pulled some big noahs (yanks ... that noahs ark...shark) to the side of the boat. Had to lock up the drag and if something broke hope it was a knot way down near the hook rather than 100m of expensive braid. None of this prissy pump and wind - more jump (backwards) and wind! Pre-setting drag for reef fishing is too hard!
the bronze whaler is possibly the hardest fish in aussie waters to land.not sure how big they grow but 9/10ft are common.they never give up,roll,responsable for a lot of attacks.there is even a recorded case where a fisherman gutted one,threw him back plus the guts and it ate its own innards.they are very common and for years much despised and killed.they are much respected in this day and age
,thankfully.you guys want to come over you can stay at my place,plenty of boats to get you fishing as well.dont come this week,me and the missus are off on a cruise.cheers
Going on a cruise...how romantic. Don't forget to pack your traveling rod and reel ;). Have a good time Wallace.
rod&reel,its obvious you want me executed sal
Quote from: wallacewt on September 27, 2011, 03:43:44 AM
rod&reel,its obvious you want me executed sal
Not at all Wallace, we would miss you too much. Bring the gear out in the middle of the night, she'll never know it ;D
We've got a lot of bronzies over this way, too.
They can get up towards 650lb+ (300kg) and 8ft+ isn't uncommon.
Their reputation here (in NZ) isn't the same as in Oz, where they've been responsible for a few attacks.
I see them fairly regularly out in the Hauraki Gulf.
Even had a couple of 8-footers get pretty close while swimming at Rakino Island last summer.
They're well fed, though, so no worries...
Definitely a strong fish, and they still give me a start when I'm out on the paddle board. ;D
We get orcas out front of my place too around this time of year - now they're scarey (when you're in the water with 'em)... :o
Quote from: wallacewt on September 27, 2011, 03:13:19 AM
the bronze whaler is possibly the hardest fish in aussie waters to land.not sure how big they grow but 9/10ft are common.they never give up,roll,responsable for a lot of attacks.there is even a recorded case where a fisherman gutted one,threw him back plus the guts and it ate its own innards.they are very common and for years much despised and killed.they are much respected in this day and age
,thankfully.you guys want to come over you can stay at my place,plenty of boats to get you fishing as well.dont come this week,me and the missus are off on a cruise.cheers
Wallace: Ate the guts? I hate their guts ;D. Dominick
Quote from: redsetta on September 27, 2011, 08:27:18 PM
Even had a couple of 8-footers get pretty close while swimming at Rakino Island last summer.
They're well fed, though, so no worries...
Definitely a strong fish, and they still give me a start when I'm out on the paddle board. ;D
We get orcas out front of my place too around this time of year - now they're scarey (when you're in the water with 'em)... :o
Justin: Shamu is cute. He does tricks. Nothing to be afraid of. Of course the bronzies are well fed their staple is surfers on paddle boards :). Dominick
;D
Justin, do yourself a favor and also us...stay out of that shark-infested water ::)
Sorry folks for bringing this old post up , ;D . Question , how do you guys feel of pre setting your drags let say a day or two before your trip. Would it damage the drag washers ?
Thanks
I'm presuming we are talking about star drag systems. Many of mine are preset for months and just verified the during the week before the trip. You will hear otherwise where they loosen their drags after the washdown and preset them before a trip. That is also acceptable.
A few days before will not make a difference.
IF we are talking star drags it has never really mattered to me. If the fish is pulling more line than I want then I tighten the star as much as I need. If I tighten it all the way down and he is still taking line I am in for a fun time!! The actual resistance measured in pounds is not all that important to me. Very useful in measuring improvements of modifications, not so much any other time.
Ron
The bucket method sounds great but when I was a charter capt. in Floridia my buckets always walked off to the point of locking them up.
I still have a few of these left.
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=4011.0 (http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=4011.0)
Sorry guys, I just came across this old thread now while searching for a drag scale, and just now got a brain wave, so am sharing it...
Buy a cheap (Chinese) spring scales such as the one in the attached photo... make a wire ring around it, below the protruding pointer. make the wire ring tight enough to stay and loose enough to move freely when pushed by the tin pointer - it may not be so easy to attain that but you will have to figure out a way. A plastic ring about 1/2in high would do the job much better as it would slide over the scales much easier provided you can find the right size. Before taking a reading, note down the reading for the ring edge touching the sliding pointer. If it says 1# for example, deduct 1# from the reading you get after each test. It's that simple. I am going to find a cylindrical scales and make me a drag scales! :D
Can't justify spending $50 or more for what could be done in $5!
Cheers!
I use my wife's small dumbbells to set drag on my Avets. The weights are in increments of 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25 and 30 lbs. I run the line through the guides and tie to the weight, which is laying on the ground. Then I lift the tip and adjust until the line just barely comes off the spool. I don't try to lift the weight fully off the ground. I'll set strike drag to 20% of line rating. This usually translates to about 33% at full setting, which I don't use unless fishing for grouper with live bait. I've caught some large fish with zero line failures using this method.
Not for the "cosmetically oriented"! I've found that I can simi-permanently mark my drag star on the inside of one a the tips so it's lined up with a mark on the inside a the handle, after testing it at home with a nice digital scale. A sticky piece a white paper with scotch tape over it, works. You can even write down the lbs. at that setting. Simi- permanent works so it can be eaisly changed when ya get new line 'er some upgrade.
Also, found I can do almost the same on my Accurate LD. Mark the drag preset knob relative to the non-moving sleeve just below it witha sharpie, for _lbs. at strike after testin. Perm. marker will come off with rubbin alcohol.
Found that it's much easier than re-scaling, after having had to move my drag adjustment during a fight(or a snag), when I'm "out there". Or, when after rising, I back alla way off on the drag for temporary storage. Changing the marks(which are actually just a reference point which is 5lbs. usually for me) is usually only needed after a take-apart type service, especially if drag washers 'er serviced/changed.
Gfish
if they're greased, you should be able to leave them buttoned down forever.
DPX-2 600 size, set for 6lbs. at strike. Set with a digital scale, should be good till I take it apart again. I leave it in free-spool for storage then just line-up the three diffrent marks by movin the lever. Though a lite strike setting, 5-8lbs. isa good reference point.
Gish
Prior to discovering this website it never occurred to me to use a scale for setting the drag. I've always just done it by feel and then readjusting if I need to and never really had a problem. But then I've never fished offshore for the really big things that many of you guys go after. I do have an old chatillon scale --might be fun to tie on and play around with it. Do you guys use a scale primarily with lever drags or with any kind of reel? I've never owned a lever drag reel.
Quote from: wfjord on September 23, 2017, 04:17:13 PM
Prior to discovering this website it never occurred to me to use a scale for setting the drag. I've always just done it by feel and then readjusting if I need to and never really had a problem. But then I've never fished offshore for the really big things that many of you guys go after. I do have an old chatillon scale --might be fun to tie on and play around with it. Do you guys use a scale primarily with lever drags or with any kind of reel? I've never owned a lever drag reel.
Wfjord, I started this thread and when I was told to stop being cheap and purchase a scale I did so. It also seems that advice keeps changing about whether to let the drag off for storage or just leave it. After trying the scale and loosening the drags for storage this is what I do for both star and lever drags. Before starting this thread I used to set the drag by feel. I have gotten back to setting the drag by feel. When big game fishing I tighten the drag to the point where I cannot pull line off the spool. Then I set the lever to just below strike so that the fish is taking line. When the fish is taking line I push the lever to strike and give the hook a hard set. I know there will be a bunch of members on here that will say I really should use a scale. I do it this way and it works for me. Dominick
That makes sense, Dominick. I guess most of us ultimately settle on what works best for us. If you've gotten accustomed to using a lever drag, do you find it difficult to switch back to a star drag?
Quote from: wfjord on September 23, 2017, 07:53:14 PM
That makes sense, Dominick. I guess most of us ultimately settle on what works best for us. If you've gotten accustomed to using a lever drag, do you find it difficult to switch back to a star drag?
Not at all. As a matter of fact I believe the star drag is more versatile. The only reason I mentioned lever drag is that the big Internationals are lever drag. I have caught Marlin with a Penn Senator 114 HLW. The old reel worked flawlessly. Dominick
Quote from: Dominick on September 23, 2017, 10:35:47 PM
Quote from: wfjord on September 23, 2017, 07:53:14 PM
That makes sense, Dominick. I guess most of us ultimately settle on what works best for us. If you've gotten accustomed to using a lever drag, do you find it difficult to switch back to a star drag?
Not at all. As a matter of fact I believe the star drag is more versatile. The only reason I mentioned lever drag is that the big Internationals are lever drag. I have caught Marlin with a Penn Senator 114 HLW. The old reel worked flawlessly. Dominick
Only major issue with catching marlin on a star drag would be you cannot run your lure/bait at water drag and later set the hook when the fish has turned its head and moving away from the boat with the lure/bait in it's mouth.
Though I use mostly star drags, I think lever drag reels have better actual drag function. Also, they combine free spool and drag adjustment in one unit(lever). Downside is the somewhat complex internal construction, especially the removable spool shaft. I'm practicing on a new reel I got now, until I get used to disassembly/assembly and exactly how each part and system functions.
Gfish
Quote from: ijlal on September 23, 2017, 10:46:08 PM
Quote from: Dominick on September 23, 2017, 10:35:47 PM
Quote from: wfjord on September 23, 2017, 07:53:14 PM
That makes sense, Dominick. I guess most of us ultimately settle on what works best for us. If you've gotten accustomed to using a lever drag, do you find it difficult to switch back to a star drag?
Not at all. As a matter of fact I believe the star drag is more versatile. The only reason I mentioned lever drag is that the big Internationals are lever drag. I have caught Marlin with a Penn Senator 114 HLW. The old reel worked flawlessly. Dominick
Only major issue with catching marlin on a star drag would be you cannot run your lure/bait at water drag and later set the hook when the fish has turned its head and moving away from the boat with the lure/bait in it's mouth.
I just face the front of the boat and push. It sets the hook every time. Dominick
Both stars and levers have their best uses. For trolling and kite fishing, I much prefer levers. For setting drags a scale is the best but you can use weights or a bucket of measured water. As much as we spend on reels, rods and line, a simple scale is a cheap investment. Like Dominick said, after a while you can get a pretty good feel for it and do it by hand.
Quote from: conchydong on September 23, 2017, 11:50:01 PM
Both stars and levers have their best uses. For trolling and kite fishing, I much prefer levers. For setting drags a scale is the best but you can use weights or a bucket of measured water. As much as we spend on reels, rods and line, a simple scale is a cheap investment. Like Dominick said, after a while you can get a pretty good feel for it and do it by hand.
I've been fishing for the last 41-42 years, (37 years since I first owned a fishing rod and reel,) and have always set my drags by the feel of it although I did get a feel of it by playing around at home with a scale. Only during the past few years, since I began going offshore for billfish, did I begin presetting drags at home with any regularity.