Drag setting
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Saltwater Flyflingers
Forum Description: A forum for saltwater fly fishing enthusiasts
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=20060
Printed Date: 27 Jul 2026 at 2:01pm
Topic: Drag setting
Posted By: Snuffit.
Subject: Drag setting
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2007 at 10:55am
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Guys I'm back again. From all the reading and advice I've got here (thanks) and elsewhere I can see that holding the rod tip high (a la trouting) on fast diving saltie species is likely to result in some custom made graphite toothpicks real quick. So I can see that my reel's drag is going to play a big part in landing whatever saltie beast that happens along.
I plan to fish an 8 weight with Lamson Litespeed 3, 300 m backing and intermediate line with 10kg leader for smaller trevs / kahawai etc and a 12 weight with (as yet unknown reel) for any bigger kingis / moogah trevs etc that may happen along - again with a 10kg leader.
Now, how much drag should I be pulling direct from the reel (and from the tip) for each set up above? I'll set the drags before I leave.
Cheers
Nick
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Replies:
Posted By: Pole Dancer
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2007 at 7:40pm
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Be careful on drag settings and DON'T in my opinion set them before you go....
The reason? Many anglers who do not know better take up a salt fly outfit, have visions of the leviathans they are about to hook and crank the drag to max... However, they perhaps have not thought of what will happen at the end of a long retrieve, lots of running line lying at their feet and fish hits... it runs... the line peels out easily or at least as easily as the finger pressure the angler is apply ing will allow and suddenly hits a reel with 10lbs of drag SMACK goes the tippet. I fish, usually with a light drag and crank it to max the second I believe something worthy of it is attached....
your mileage may vary... as may others.... ------------- http://www.clarkreid.co.nz" rel="nofollow - www.clarkreid.co.nz FFF Certified Casting Instructor / Umpqua Designer Tier 
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Posted By: Morsie
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2007 at 8:37pm
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Spot on Clark - learn to ride the drag a little - adjust as you go. Essentially set it a bit over what would cause an overrun - if you keep the rod low you shouldn't break it. 20lbs is a hell of a lot to break through 8 weight without a hell of a lot of shock - such as snapping up tight suddenly.
Morsie |
Posted By: nodrog
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2007 at 9:08pm
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Hi Nick, just think how many times you'll strip line off, false-casting or re-setting-up a shooting line on the deck - you'll soon get sick of pulling against XOS-stopping preset drag.
Also (trust me) its really bad form to get the rod pulled clean out of your hand. Try the preset out at home against a scale - and take note just how hard you are hanging on to the rod to pull 10lb or whatever, and even the braced body position you need to adopt. There's no way you can fish like that all day! After a quiet period, if you get nailed on the drop with only a meter or two of slack, Mr XOS (or even his little sister) will have that out before you even wake up, let alone get braced for action... Splash ... 
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Posted By: FishMan
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2007 at 7:10am
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Nick, I landed a six kiloish king the other day with virtually no drag at all. Was trying to fix the drag right through the fight (locking nut thingy had come off- stupid design on an old reel). The king just swam around quietly when the pressure came off and kicked back into action when the pressure came back on. Just used the palm of my hand in the end. Worked fine.
Normally I use a bit of palm pressure and a moderate drag. Essentially I'm 'riding on drag pressures' as Clark and Morsie suggest. Prefer a bit of extra palm pressure - never can figure out which way to turn the drag knob in the heat of the moment
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Posted By: Snuffit.
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2007 at 7:19am
Right, thanks guys I can see that in my mind I was maybe imparting too much importance to preset drag. Thinking about it I've had trout clean snap 12lb leader on the strike in the Waitahanui mouth  ... so makes sense to not have a running fish hit an overtight drag. Cool, more food for thought.
Nick
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