By John Merwin

After I posted a while ago about a very simple reel-drag test you can do at home, some readers asked about how to set a drag in the first place. Here are a few tips that will help. The general rule for freshwater reels spooled with nylon mono is to set your drag tension at one-third to one-half of your line’s breaking strength. That’s fine in theory but difficult in practice because it requires at least a spring scale to measure the force required to pull line from the reel as you fiddle with the drag-adjustment knob. Most people won’t take the trouble. Instead, they’ll just pull line from the reel and adjust the drag until it “feels right.” That’s what I do most of the time, too.

But how do you know what “feels right” should be? Do this simple test. Rig up your midweight spinning or baitcasting rod and reel, then go in the kitchen and find a 5-pound bag of sugar. Put the bag of sugar in a plastic grocery bag (so it doesn’t break open), and tie your line to the grocery bag. Then lift that 5-pound weight off the floor. First, it will feel like a lot more than 5 pounds, and second your rod will be seriously bent over. Now adjust your drag so it slips slightly at that weight.

Most people are amazed at how heavy 5 pounds really feels. If using ultralight spinning gear and 4-pound mono, say, use a lighter, appropriate weight such as a 1-pound box of margarine. The point is that you now have some idea of the right “feel” with which to set your drag. From that point, use more or less drag in fishing as need be. Most midsize spinners and baitcasters have a maximum drag of 10 to 12 pounds, which you’ll almost certainly never need. Some even advertise drags strong enough to stop a train, which is, of course, ridiculous. Unless you’re actually fishing for trains....

Comments (9)

from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

Thanks for the helpful tip. Never even thought about doing anything like this.

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from j-johnson17 wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

Great tips. I had heard before to set your drag about 1/2 of your line test, but like many others, I have never taken the time to do it... I think there is something to take from this if you are a fly fisherman also. Although, sometimes when a person is fly fishing tippet sizes and leaders are changed on the fly, so it is hard to be sure exactly what your reel settings are as far as poundage is concerned. Good stuff!!

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from shane wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

You might need that train drag if you ever lower yourself to big river carp fishing...

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from 2Poppa wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

Dang, I always set my drag when I had a fish on!

Not once, did I ever think of a 5-pound bag of sugar.
This tip may have saved me the frustration of losing Mack Daddy!

As for the train ... never wanted them to stop, especially on a trestle,used to hop 'em when I was young, fast, and lookin'for that power that just rolled on!

Man, that 5-pound bag of sugar feels heavy!

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from ishawooa wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

I have always utilized the pull til it "feels right" routine. After using the 5 pound sugar bag (actually I had to use a bag of potatoes adjusted on scales to 5 pounds) I discovered that the spinning reels were no where near what I thought they were insofar as drag setting. Simple and great idea that anyone can apply to their gear. Yep a 5 pound bag of potatoes on the end of a rod is definately heavier than a 9 1/2 pound rifle slung on your shoulder.

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from TheEasternShore... wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

that might work better then tying your line to the back of the boat dont you think?

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from huskerguy wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

I'll have to try that out, good tip.

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from dwaynez wrote 2 years 44 weeks ago

I will give that tip a try.

I have been setting the drag by feel for as long as I can remember, but I am always up for trying something new.

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from bassgittinart@b... wrote 2 years 42 weeks ago

Nice way to put it! I will try that.

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from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

Thanks for the helpful tip. Never even thought about doing anything like this.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from j-johnson17 wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

Great tips. I had heard before to set your drag about 1/2 of your line test, but like many others, I have never taken the time to do it... I think there is something to take from this if you are a fly fisherman also. Although, sometimes when a person is fly fishing tippet sizes and leaders are changed on the fly, so it is hard to be sure exactly what your reel settings are as far as poundage is concerned. Good stuff!!

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from 2Poppa wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

Dang, I always set my drag when I had a fish on!

Not once, did I ever think of a 5-pound bag of sugar.
This tip may have saved me the frustration of losing Mack Daddy!

As for the train ... never wanted them to stop, especially on a trestle,used to hop 'em when I was young, fast, and lookin'for that power that just rolled on!

Man, that 5-pound bag of sugar feels heavy!

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from ishawooa wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

I have always utilized the pull til it "feels right" routine. After using the 5 pound sugar bag (actually I had to use a bag of potatoes adjusted on scales to 5 pounds) I discovered that the spinning reels were no where near what I thought they were insofar as drag setting. Simple and great idea that anyone can apply to their gear. Yep a 5 pound bag of potatoes on the end of a rod is definately heavier than a 9 1/2 pound rifle slung on your shoulder.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from TheEasternShore... wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

that might work better then tying your line to the back of the boat dont you think?

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from huskerguy wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

I'll have to try that out, good tip.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from dwaynez wrote 2 years 44 weeks ago

I will give that tip a try.

I have been setting the drag by feel for as long as I can remember, but I am always up for trying something new.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from shane wrote 2 years 45 weeks ago

You might need that train drag if you ever lower yourself to big river carp fishing...

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from bassgittinart@b... wrote 2 years 42 weeks ago

Nice way to put it! I will try that.

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