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Posts: 75
| I've never done much trolling. When casting, I have the drag locked down for the hookset. Should you back off a bit on the drag when trolling? |
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Posts: 1516
| I back off quite a bit |
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Posts: 303
| Just remember to put it back on if you are casting with the same rod later. Lost a nice fish this year because my drag slipped on the hookset...because I forgot to lock it back down. |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | I set my drag quite tight, tighter than most of the guys I fish with but I don't think i can lock it down so tight a good fish can't take drag. i want the hook set on the strike.
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Posts: 20219
Location: oswego, il | I set it fairly loose, just tight enough to keep line from coming out as a general rule. Typically, that rule is 3.5mph plus, smallerish baits and braid. Having said that, there are more factors to consider, big thick hooks, trolling speed, fiberglass or graphite rods and mono or braid. A couple weeks ago i trolled at a salmon speed with bigger baits and hooks. I tightened up the drag quite a bit to get a good hookset . Alot of factors to consider. |
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Posts: 1529
| we set them on the loose side. .sharp hooks do there job. drags to tight will rip hooks outa fish. set drags from rod tip not at the reel. then you can actually see how tight they are for reference. |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | So when I'm casting I have my drag locked down and the fish striking with between 0 and 30 feet of line out and most DECENT fish are still able to take drag. I think most of the reels we use are capable of about 22 lbs of drag. Why would I want less drag with up to 200 feet of 130 lb braid out and a fairly flexible rod. I use 9/0 mustad 7982 HS hooks basically a stainless tuna hook on large wooden lures. Works for me.
I often fish with guys good fishermen, who set their drags looser than me. They seem to get more rips than me with a head shake and gone. it takes more than a rip to make my day.
Edited by horsehunter 12/15/2017 2:29 PM
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Location: ontario | Typically the boats motion is enough to set the hook when trolling so a loose drag setting is ideal so you dont rip a hole in the fish or pull it from its mouth. Also, especially at higher speeds when trolling with a tight drag you risk snapping your rod if you encounter a snag. Personally i set my drag just tight enough to hold the weight of the bait being pulled through the water then once the fish is on i adjust to fight the fish. Lever drag reels make adjustments easier when trolling. |
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Posts: 1220
| Getting more used to trolling now in the salt for the winter, and it’s quite an art to get the drag just right. Too light and if you don’t make a quick enough u-turn...a big Jack will “spool” you faster than you’d believe and all the line, leader and lure all history in a heartbeat. Too tight and you straighten out hooks, break line or leader, or needlessly tear up a fish. I’m hoping this will all be great practice for getting my musky trolling more dialed in and me more willing to be a troller. Honestly, it’s been a stupid prejudice of mine that it’s letting the boat do the fishing. I really long knew I was wrong too, and just held on to a stubborn attitude. |
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Posts: 612
| woodieb8 - 12/15/2017 3:16 PM
we set them on the loose side. .sharp hooks do there job. drags to tight will rip hooks outa fish. set drags from rod tip not at the reel. then you can actually see how tight they are for reference.
Don't troll that much, but what he says. |
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Posts: 246
| I sett the drag so that if I pick the rod up while the bait is at depth and I give a good hookset, the drag will give. |
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Posts: 68
| I set them pretty loose. I just loosen it until I can give a good jerk at the speed I'm going and some line is able to come out. I also use a 6' Fluro Leader for more give |
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Posts: 251
| To set your drag let a bait out 10 feet at your trolling speed and act like you are setting the hook. The drag should come out smoothly. If the drag screams when you set the hook it's too loose and if there are only a couple of clicks it is too tight. This is what I was taught from a couple of people who troll a lot and my hooking percentage has gone up a lot.
Different baits will also have different drag settings. A Mattlock will be different than a baby depth raider. I am by far an expert but this technique has worked for me. |
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Posts: 33
| I found this video to be helpful. Go to about 4:30 into the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-HuiEFcM1k |
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Location: Green Bay, WI | It would depend upon the line you're using while trolling, right? I mean, use 100# PowerPro and your rod is going to take the brunt of that musky's strike. use 50# Big Game mono, and there is quite a bit of shock-absorbing stretch in the line.
Personally, I use mono. I just like it better for trolling. So I can tighten the drag a bit, but it's not too tight that I can't still strip line with a little effort. Never broken the line or a rod yet...knock on wood. |
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