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Posts: 306
| Was reading a bit in here about the engaged vs non-engaged during figure 8. Seems to be a pretty good split of opinion. For those with the newer fancy reels (Curados, Tranx, Revos, etc...) that DON'T disengage and trust the drag, how do you go about setting your drag appropriately when using a longer rod? |
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Posts: 2015
| very tight (but not 100% locked down) - 95-98% on my Revo's - big fish will pull line, anything under 42" generally will not, just don't put your thumb on the spool to try to keep big fish from taking drag.
Edited by IAJustin 8/16/2012 12:25 PM
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Posts: 1716
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | I set the drag about 80% on my Revo's. I like most fish (40" or larger) to take drag. This keeps the hooks pinned. I set the drag to where I can pull it out, but not easily. Hook up to your truck hitch or tow hooks and play around. You will easily find what is the ideal drag setting for how/what you fish. I judge the drag by the bend in the rod. If it starts to put too much bend in the rod, I loosen the drag. I then pull on the line just above the reel to judge this and that is how I set the drag every time. |
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Posts: 8
| 100 lb line lock the drag right up you want to make sure you can get the hooks in the fish on a long cast you don't want any give in your drag but thumb the spool when you go in the figure 8. |
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Posts: 3868
| Get an exploded diagram of your reel. If the drag system includes a set of concave washers they can and will be "flattened" the first time you really crank down on your drag wheel. They never get actually flat but you'll take the bend out of them, the bend that is carefully designed to provide you with an effective and adjustable drag system. Don't flatten the washers.
Second, unless your drag system is designed to include lubrication, never allow oil or grease to get to the washers.
All drag systems are designed to allow the fish to take line, right? Learn how to use them. |
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| I used to thumb the open spool on the 8. Huge mistake. Lost the two biggest fish of my life back to back within 45 minutes of each other on LOTW.
Spool slipped under my thumb both times and didn't get good hooks.
It's fine with little fish but if you are on big fish water do NOT free spool on the 8.
Big mistake.
Since that mishap 3 years ago. I have a 50.5, 49.75, 48.5, and 47 plus numerous smaller fish on the 8 leaving the reel engaged. I lock the drag down very tight where I can barely pull it out. You'd be surprised how easily big fish can pull that drag.
Don't free spool on the 8. It's something you will regret.
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| I have a 55" and a 57" i got in the figure 8! !00% lock down on the drag! After the hooks are buried and the fish pulled some drag, I disengaged the reel and let the fish get away from the boat. Then re-engaged the reel and the fight was on! Results, Both fish were in the bag! |
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Posts: 1220
| I decided that I "probably" don't know everything there is about this sport and after listening to all the coment on this subject have backed off "just a tad" from "locked down" in order to give this thing a fair shot at a learning experience for me. Unfortunately, I have not caught enought fish yet since doing it to have an intelligent answer. My answer before was that a fish over 40 can pull all the drag he needs and one under forty can simply be "horsed" around any way you need to as long as your equipment is adequate. Naturally, I was referring to "locked down" with your fingers only. Guys who use a channel-lock pliers to tighten their drag (and some do) will have a different experience. I'll report my results if I ever start catching fish again??  |
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Setting drag on "fancy" reels