How to Set Drag on Different Reels

Rate this post

Wondering How to Fish from a Boat? Key Tips for Success

How to Get Boat Ready for Spring

Select a state to find fishing and boating information:

Get A Fishing License

Get started fishing today, purchase your fishing license online, check regulations and more.

Register A Boat

Register your boat today. Learn how to register your vessel, boating laws and more.

Home > Learn to Fish & Boat > How To Fish > How to Catch Fish

You’ve cast your line, lured in a fish, got a bite and set the hook. You’re now ready to reel the fish in. Learn how to set drag on conventional reels and on baitcaster reels.

You’ve cast your line, lured in a fish, got a bite and set the hook. You’re now ready to reel the fish in. The last thing you want to experience during this phase in learning how to fish is a broken line. Most breaks can be easily avoided while drag fishing by learning how to set drag on your fishing reel.
What is drag fishing? Simply put, if you’re using a fishing rod and reel setup, as opposed to, say, pole fishing or trawling with a net, you will most likely adjust the drag at some point.
The drag is simply a pair of friction plates inside of fishing reels. If the fish pulls on the line hard enough, the friction is overcome, and the reel rotates backwards, letting line out, preventing the line from breaking. You want to set the drag on a fishing reel before your first cast of the day. Adjusting it while fighting a fish can be difficult. Also, drag fishing gear is generally not designed to be adjusted while fishing, so doing so could cause damage.

Setting drag on baitcaster reels follows the same principals as setting drag on conventional reels. The only difference is the location of the drag adjustment mechanism.

Once you’ve learned how to set drag on a fishing reel, you’re ready to start casting. Visit here to learn more about how to cast.

The largemouth bass is the most popular freshwater game fish in the U.S. Learn more about how you can identify a largemouth bass, where to catch it and what bait and lures to use.

Do you like this content? Subscribe to our Newsletter and get all the information you need to learn, plan, and equip for your next fishing adventure.

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Sign-up to receive our monthly newsletter with interesting blogs about fishing and boating. Get fishing tips and tricks and read personal stories from anglers who live and breathe fishing and boating. Learn new fishing skills, boating resources, fishing etiquette, conservation and more.

Please complete the following fields to subscribe to our newsletter.

SUBSCRIBERS PREFERENCES

What information would you like?

You are viewing this post: How to Set Drag on Different Reels. Information curated and compiled by Kayaknv.com along with other related topics.

Previous articleHow much drag to use
Next articleAustralian bass
I'm a writer who focuses on the outdoors and travel. I share my time between Alaska and Colorado, where, when I'm not writing, I enjoy camping, kayaking, hiking, fishing, and skiing (often with dogs in tow). My byline may also be seen in publications such as The New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and others.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here