Proper Drag Setting

fish-n-dude · 09-02-2005, 11:28 AM

I'm a newbie here. I know this a subject for debate but as a newbie I am looking for input into the correct drag setting. I have heard anything from 14# - 20# at strike setting. Your opinions are most welcome.

Shark Tagger · 09-02-2005, 12:43 PM

I like strike to be around 20lbs.. on my 80lb test rods and on my 50-60 lb test rods I put it at about 16lbs...

I only button it up to strike when the fish is less crazy and not running full force...

Duke · 09-02-2005, 12:49 PM

Swords have a soft mouth and typically folks were using 8-12 pounds at strike and at max. Due to their strength (long fights) and tendency to have poor hookups due to slashing, I see folks going ever heavier to cut down on fight times and to pull the hook early versus hours into the fight on poorly hooked fish. Typical now is 12-18 at strike. I use 17-18 at strike and go to 22-25 at max on a strong fish.

Texas Popper · 09-02-2005, 09:53 PM

We still have been using about 12lbs at strike on our 50 setups. Had a fish about 230lbs last year and fought it for about 2 hour at this setting. Hooked in corner of mouth.

Good luck

JahMussa · 09-02-2005, 11:06 PM

We just had a 200# to the boat dead in 40 minutes with 27# for 95% of the time. This one was hooked in the throat.

-Tek

fish-n-dude · 09-06-2005, 06:32 PM

Thanks guys and thanks Tek for helping me get started. I set my reels up for 18# strike wich gives me 26# at max. I also noted where the lever needs to be at 14# just in case we want to back off a bit. Hoping to get out this weekend for my first go around using my own tackle and boat.

Mako Time · 09-06-2005, 06:33 PM

Go Get em capt. I think there are quite a few guys up your way along with a tournament happening this weekend

09-02-2005, 11:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
fish-n-dude Lines In Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stuart, FL Posts: 73	Proper Drag Setting I'm a newbie here. I know this a subject for debate but as a newbie I am looking for input into the correct drag setting. I have heard anything from 14# - 20# at strike setting. Your opinions are most welcome.

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09-02-2005, 12:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Shark Tagger Hooked Up Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sunny Isles Best Catch: 475lb Mako Occupation: Engineering Posts: 920	I like strike to be around 20lbs.. on my 80lb test rods and on my 50-60 lb test rods I put it at about 16lbs... I only button it up to strike when the fish is less crazy and not running full force...

09-02-2005, 12:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Duke Hooked Up Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 271	Swords have a soft mouth and typically folks were using 8-12 pounds at strike and at max. Due to their strength (long fights) and tendency to have poor hookups due to slashing, I see folks going ever heavier to cut down on fight times and to pull the hook early versus hours into the fight on poorly hooked fish. Typical now is 12-18 at strike. I use 17-18 at strike and go to 22-25 at max on a strong fish.

09-02-2005, 09:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
Texas Popper Grunt Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 28	We still have been using about 12lbs at strike on our 50 setups. Had a fish about 230lbs last year and fought it for about 2 hour at this setting. Hooked in corner of mouth. Good luck

09-02-2005, 11:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
JahMussa Hooked Up Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lighthouse Point, FLA Boat: Contender 31 Best Catch: 96" x 64" Occupation: Tackle Ho! Posts: 570	We just had a 200# to the boat dead in 40 minutes with 27# for 95% of the time. This one was hooked in the throat. -Tek

09-06-2005, 06:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
fish-n-dude Lines In Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stuart, FL Posts: 73	Thanks guys and thanks Tek for helping me get started. I set my reels up for 18# strike wich gives me 26# at max. I also noted where the lever needs to be at 14# just in case we want to back off a bit. Hoping to get out this weekend for my first go around using my own tackle and boat.

09-06-2005, 06:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mako Time Grunt Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 10	Go Get em capt. I think there are quite a few guys up your way along with a tournament happening this weekend

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