I'm not sure how tight the drag should be set on a baitrunner reel. When the drag has been set relatively loose, i've had a serious run and an overwind on the spool. (chaos when using braid). On other occasions the drag has been set a bit tighter and the run is but a few seconds. I have lost a few fish under both circumstances. Does the weight of the sinker play a role in any of the above scenarios.
Setting the drag on a baitrunner reel
- Thread starter Otto
- Start date
No the weight does not - setting the drag too loose - well U've seen what can happen ..
I set it just so ever so tight that when I pull the line the spool ticks over nicely - so the setting is not too tight on engaging the baitrunner the spool must tick over in a similar fashion and yet again that drag is also set just enough that the carp don't get too far ...
If U losing fish also take a look at your terminal tackle..hook points / hook size etc ...
I set it just so ever so tight that when I pull the line the spool ticks over nicely - so the setting is not too tight on engaging the baitrunner the spool must tick over in a similar fashion and yet again that drag is also set just enough that the carp don't get too far ...
If U losing fish also take a look at your terminal tackle..hook points / hook size etc ...
Otto I don't think the drag plays a huge role in setting the hook in the fishes mouth, remember there is a bit of slack or line play before your reel starts screaming and then the hook should or would be set already. I think it's more important to make sure that you always use sharp hooks.
I also have some of those Docks hooks and while they aren't terrible they don't seem to stay sharp for very long and some of them look a lot like the Grip hooks which also doesn't last long. Maybe try Daiichi if you don't want to buy very expensive stuff but the Owner hooks aren't too expensive as well.
The lead will definitely help set the hook so dont rely on your drag to do this job. Use leads 3oz and bigger and when fishing long distance increase the size of your leads.
The baitrunner drag can be set at about 4-6 lbs. Use a scale to which you attach your mainline or hook and straight line your rod when pulling. you need to be two people one watches the scale the other pull the rod and adjust the drag. at 4lbs reading the line should start to strip from your reel.
The 4-6lb is based on my personal preference but i will never fish with a loose drag there is just too much that can go wrong. It is good to pre set your drags it gives me just that little more confidence in knowing that my drags are set and they will give the neccesary resistance. After a while you dont have to measure the tension because you get a feel for it.
The baitrunner drag can be set at about 4-6 lbs. Use a scale to which you attach your mainline or hook and straight line your rod when pulling. you need to be two people one watches the scale the other pull the rod and adjust the drag. at 4lbs reading the line should start to strip from your reel.
The 4-6lb is based on my personal preference but i will never fish with a loose drag there is just too much that can go wrong. It is good to pre set your drags it gives me just that little more confidence in knowing that my drags are set and they will give the neccesary resistance. After a while you dont have to measure the tension because you get a feel for it.
Hi Naas,
Tx I will certainly give it a try. Another aspect regarding the drag is taking the line out with a bait boat. Depending on the weather and water conditions, windy and choppy, I put the rod tip inside the water to counter the influence created by the weather. I set the drag quite tight to try and keep my line as straight as possible. The bait boat does take a bit of strain but the trick works quite well.
Tx I will certainly give it a try. Another aspect regarding the drag is taking the line out with a bait boat. Depending on the weather and water conditions, windy and choppy, I put the rod tip inside the water to counter the influence created by the weather. I set the drag quite tight to try and keep my line as straight as possible. The bait boat does take a bit of strain but the trick works quite well.
This might help the line lay to be better in extreme weather conditions , but it creates alot of spin on the line if you take your line out with the drag on.I always open the bail arm of the reel when i take out lines. To me there is only one way to get bends out of line in high wind conditions and that is to use a heavy lead 6 oz up to 10 oz and to use a 2 oz backlead where the swinger would normally be. You just keep taking up the slack in your mainline until your line is straight.
I agree that the lead/weight is supposed to set the hook when using a bolt-rig/safety-clip. But with running rigs it might not be the case.
It can happen that if your drag is set too tight and you get a strong run, that the hook could tear the carp's mouth. And if your hookholds are poor, you will definitely have a good chance of losing the fish. This is where a good rig, that gives you very good and solid hookholds are very important.
That is why I hate fishing "locked up"... I normally set my drag just tight enough that when I pull the line the bite indicator first goes up to its top position, the line goes abit tight, and then only does the line start coming off the spool... dunno if that makes sense, lol.
It can happen that if your drag is set too tight and you get a strong run, that the hook could tear the carp's mouth. And if your hookholds are poor, you will definitely have a good chance of losing the fish. This is where a good rig, that gives you very good and solid hookholds are very important.
That is why I hate fishing "locked up"... I normally set my drag just tight enough that when I pull the line the bite indicator first goes up to its top position, the line goes abit tight, and then only does the line start coming off the spool... dunno if that makes sense, lol.