How do you set the drag on your reel?

[PhishingPhanatic]

The correct way to do it is with a scale, but I have only done that to see what the max drag of some of my reels is. I usually just do it by hand, adjusting as needed for the fishing conditions. Snook fishing in heavy cover...tight drag. Casting jigs for macks...light drag.

[bolo]

I set my drag by hand pulling the main line. There should be some resistant as it pulls of the reel. Not too tight where you can not pull the line of the reel. It should come off smoothly without being jerky. Just remember, you can always apply more drag with your palm or thumb to the spool. Have the drag too tight and it is very tough to loosen the drag to set drag correctly. For bigger fish like Tarpon, Tuna, and Billfish it is best to set your drag with a scale.

[gdm phil]

I set my drag by hand pulling the main line. There should be some resistant as it pulls of the reel. Not too tight where you can not pull the line of the reel. It should come off smoothly without being jerky. Just remember, you can always apply more drag with your palm or thumb to the spool. Have the drag too tight and it is very tough to loosen the drag to set drag correctly. For bigger fish like Tarpon, Tuna, and Billfish it is best to set your drag with a scale.

X2 If I need to adjust after the strike I do so

[Filletnrelease]

Pretty much agree with the others. When fishing for Kings off the Skyway (which they are now running) I set my drag at 6lbs. You got to beat them before you get them in or they will wrap you in a heartbeat. When Grouper fishing, I have my drag as tight as I can get it. Dragging a Grouper 125 to 150 yards across the reef, the last you want is your drag to slip or line to stretch. I only intentionally fish Tarpon from my boat and again I set my drag with a scale. Everything else is pretty much feel.

[permitchaser]

X 3 as you get more expirience when you fighting a fish you alway check it like bolo said by pulling with your hand never fail me never used scale my hand is the scale easy.

[bolo]

I forgot to add to my post was the type of fish target and surrounding structure you are fishing. I used to fish tight to lock drag. I tend to loose more fish this way because the leader or main line cuts easily when high tension is on the line. Mono is able to take a lot of abrasion so I do not fish lock drag anymore. Like I said before if I need to increase drag I will correct it when need it. Either with the drag lever or thumb.

[Local66]

The only time I use a scale is when I'm jigging. 16lbs of drag for 40lb hollow core, 24lbs of drag for 80lb Varivas.

[Cookinman]

x4 - I Want to feel a couple good runs before I figure out how much hammer to drop and when....I usually increase drag progressively through the fight.

Bottom fishing for mutts and grouper in heavy cover is a little different where you do not want to give much...

I fish kings and macs more than anything so the above works for me.