Beginner's Guide: Setting the Drag on Your Game Fishing Reel

PRE-SETTING DRAG

The lever drag setting on your game fishing reel, as in all drag settings, should be set to slip at only 25 to 30 percent of the line's breaking strength. The low setting builds in a good safety margin in case there are any weak links in your line or fishing tackle. Frays, nicks, general line wear and even knots can reduce the line strength, so you will need this extra large margin of safety.

Start by moving the lever to "FREE" and turning the Pre-Set Knob clockwise to increase the drag range. Now move the lever forward to the "STRIKE" position where it will automatically stop. Pull line from the reel or check the scale reading as the line is released. Continue to fine tune your drag range adjustments (with the lever at "FREE" each time) until you are satisfied with the tension at "STRIKE".

Warning: Always turn the pre-set knob with the drag lever in the "FREE" position. Turning the pre-set knob with the lever in the "STRIKE" position can damage the reel.

SCALING DRAG TENSION

If you are an experienced angler you may be able to set your drag tension by pulling line from the fishing reel by hand while it is in "STRIKE" and judging it through feel. If you have any doubts, scale your drag. Many anglers overestimate their drags by 100%. To scale your drag, first place the fishing reel on the fishing rod and run the line through the guide. Then, have a friend hold the scale and pull the fishing line so that it puts a bend in the fishing rod. Using this method you can be assured your drag is set accurately.

FISHING

Once you have established your drag setting, you can return to the pre-set "STRIKE" setting at any time. Your fishing reel will "remember" this setting forever, so you will never be in doubt about what drag pressure you are exerting on the fish. If you wish to go past your "STRIKE" setting to put even more pressure on a fish just press the strike stop button located in the drag lever quadrant so you can move the lever towards the "FULL" position. This will gradually increase the drag force, up to a maximum of an additional 30%. This setting is to be used with caution since the combination of programmed control and increased line leverage may exceed your line strength. It is recommended that the "STRIKE" setting be checked before each use and after encountering any long running fish. Do this as part of the regular checks you should be doing with the rest of your fishing tackle and fishing gear.

SUMMARY

Well first off, drag means controls the amount of force the fishing reel should give up line to keep the line or fishing rod from snapping. It's a life saver! To adjust this there should be a round adjusting knob or something that clockwise and anti-clockwise. If you adjust this device one way it tightens the drag and if you adjust it the other way it loosens the drag.

The unwritten rule for drag adjusting is simple: whatever the strength of the line you're using, divide it by 4 and that's how much pound of force it should take to get the drag working. So for example if you are using 30 pound monofilament line then you should get a spring scale and attach the end of the line to the hook of the spring scale and pull on the line just enough to where the spring scale reads 7 pounds (ie. 7 pounds x 4 = 28 pounds which is just under 30 pounds). Then twist the drag knob until the line starts to pull out of the fishing reel right at 8 pounds of pressure.

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Here are some tutorials on how to set your drag. Basically most of all the manufacturer agree on 1/3 of your line strength. I personally fish with either 65lb or 80lb and have all my reels set to 18lb. Using the scale system JMO

The drag system is easy to work with and should be set to avoid any fish from putting so much pressure on the line that it breaks. Most fishermen rarely know the proper way to set the drag, so you're not alone. THE best way is to get a good scale like a chantillion brass tube scale ( kinda expensive but very accurate for a spring-based scale), put the proper line on your reel based on the rod and reel ratings and run it through the guides. ( Be sure to open the bail first).
Now with the line through the guides and tip, run about 6 feet out and ensure the bail is closed. Tie a good knot to the scale's hook and have someone hold it for you. Take a few paces away from your friend and the scale and hold the rod at a 45 degree angle. Slowly lift the rod until the spool of the reel begins to spin against the drag. At the moment that the drag begins to move, have your friend tell you the lbs. of pull. You should set the drag to about 25% of the breaking strength of the line...That is the best way.

DRAG SETTINGS: The biggest mistake made by anglers is to have their drag set improperly. Most manufacturers recommend that your drag be set at one-third of your line's test weight. This means that a reel holding 15 pound test line should have the drag set to let out line at 5 pounds of pull.