I'm lookin for recommendations for a lower # test scale for setting my drags....What scales do you recommend?
I use Chatillon. Pricey but accurate.
Mechanical or digital?
What is your definition of "lower"? I have American made 8# spring ⁷scales that would work for 30% of 20# or 25% of 30#. They also work for trigger scales with a bit of bending the hook. Price is the best, $0.00 plus shipping.
The lowest leader I'd use it for is 25/30# up to 100#
I use spring scales. I use them to check drag and to test my line and connections. Using the same scale for both gives me peace of mind when I'm pulling hard on a fish.
Quote from: day0ne on August 27, 2021, 11:15:06 PM
I use Chatillon. Pricey but accurate.
I get some on ebay $8to18,,,,, :-\ 100yrs old but if there accurate then dead on the money,,,,,, ;D
I don't really understand testing the drag with a scale. I start out with a low setting and then increase it as I settle in and get my wits about me. You can always use your thumb to add more pressure to set the hook.
Quote from: oc1 on August 28, 2021, 04:51:21 AM
I don't really understand testing the drag with a scale. I start out with a low setting and then increase it as I settle in and get my wits about me. You can always use your thumb to add more pressure to set the hook.
That causes big hurt sometimes, finger pulled under crossbar or finger burned. I like to do that as well.🚑
Quote from: oc1 on August 28, 2021, 04:51:21 AM
I don't really understand testing the drag with a scale. I start out with a low setting and then increase it as I settle in and get my wits about me. You can always use your thumb to add more pressure to set the hook.
Trolling six rods for dolphin in a 22 foot boat with a two man crew, the last thing you want be fooling with when 4 or 5 rods start screaming at the same time is adjusting drags. I check mine with 30lb Boga Grips.
I use a Shimano spring scale. The scale can be calibrated. I use a gallon of water.
I'm with "oc1" on this one . If you fish regularly you should be able to tug some line off the reel and know real close what the drags set at. you should also get familiar with the bend in your rod at certain settings. Most of my reels are star drags and as they heat up during a long hook-up the drag pressure changes . I can feel it and see it by the bend in my rod. For me, its comforting to know what the drag weight I want feels like and looks like on my gear. Deckhands on the party boats do it this way too when they set the trollers out, or watching out for customers that are hooked-up. Just my $.002 worth.
Quote from: funhog on August 28, 2021, 04:26:59 PM
I'm with "oc1" on this one .
Star drags yes but you are ignoring one of the advantages of a LD reel if you do not properly set your drag with a scale and then check it at full.
Quote from: Alan Matsuno on August 28, 2021, 04:00:19 PM
I use a Shimano spring scale. The scale can be calibrated. I use a gallon of water.
If I's gonna buy another scale, it'ed have be one I could calibrate.
Most spring scales can be calibrated but most not easy. Unfortunately spring scales are accurate in a narrow ban but not off enough to matter. I have several scales, some that I have marked with a Sharpie for the weights I use, the others are used as is but get checked with various weights once in a while.
many leverdrag reels suffer from the pinion bearing that breaks if you pass the recommended drag so, in those cases is better to set you drag with a proper tool, in star drag reels this is not important.
in my case that some guys sent me their reels to install new drag washers, having a scale have helped me to show them their reels have the new drag kit and it reach the normal drag, almost never reach the "advertized" drag power but as long as its almost there Im good.
like in this case, this penn jigmaster had an slipping drag with no more than 8# of drag, drag washers were pretty flat of the use so I installed a new drag kit and tested the drag pulling line directly from the reel (we all know that the proper way is to install the reel on the rod and pull on the scale with the line and you will get more stopping power), anyway, I cans show the owner the reel reached 14# drag on the lab test.
when fishing with my star drag reels I set the drag with my hands LOL, leverdrag reels are set with the scale one night before going fishing.
BTW, I use a chantillon 50# scale for the big reels and this 15# scale that I got from Lee few years ago.
Quote from: oc1 on August 28, 2021, 04:51:21 AM
I don't really understand testing the drag with a scale. I start out with a low setting and then increase it as I settle in and get my wits about me. You can always use your thumb to add more pressure to set the hook.
Quote from: funhog on August 28, 2021, 04:26:59 PM
I'm with "oc1" on this one . If you fish regularly you should be able to tug some line off the reel and know real close what the drags set at. you should also get familiar with the bend in your rod at certain settings. Most of my reels are star drags and as they heat up during a long hook-up the drag pressure changes . I can feel it and see it by the bend in my rod. For me, its comforting to know what the drag weight I want feels like and looks like on my gear. Deckhands on the party boats do it this way too when they set the trollers out, or watching out for customers that are hooked-up. Just my $.002 worth.
YOU may or may not believe this , but my lever drag got so hot it boiled the blood under the finger nail .
I used to warm up my drags before setting. I would do this on the boat, back rail. I relieve the drags when storing.
Quote from: oldmanjoe on August 28, 2021, 07:42:22 PM
YOU may or may not believe this , but my lever drag got so hot it boiled the blood under the finger nail .
Ouch. I was about to have dinner too. Did you land the fish?