Fishing Forum

Hey guys, first post here.

One of the questions I've always had is if it's safe to adjust the drag on a spinning reel once you're hooked.

Let's say I realize the drag was set very low and I want to tighten it up a bit. Are there any potential problems in doing this?

Thanks.

No problems if you adjust in small increments. Know your line's breaking strength. If you over-adjust, you could break off or tear out the hook. If you go too loose, the hook could come out due to lack of pressure. Be careful not to lose the fish while you're fiddling with the drag. That's the biggest risk. Loss of focus on what you're doing. You can also learn to control the drag some with your free hand. I often hold the spool with my hand to "tighten" the drag when I want to slow down a run. Again, know your breaking strength, and when you can apply pressure. There are times in a fight to apply pressure, and times when you let the fish go. You're definitely not committed to one drag setting once a fish is hooked.
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ive lost many of fish by adjusting my drag in the middle of the fighg
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Hey Jeremy, could you please be a little more specific on why you lost fish? Was this just because of lack of concentration or because the line snapped while adjusting the drag or something like that?
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loss of concentration usually!!! They spit the hook on me about 70 percent of the time if I try and adjust the drag while reeling as I can't reel and adjust at the ame time not enough hands!!!!
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Yes you can adjust while fighting a fish. I have done it many times myself. I usually try to have the drag adjusted generally for a little play but now and then I find I need to adjust it a little tighter. Usually I will keep tension on the fish and make a quick adjustment wither tighter or looser whichever way I need. Then continue the fight.
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[quote albinotrout]People say that I have ADHD but . . .[/quote]

People may be right.

There really isn't much reason you should be messing with the drag when fighting a fish . . .
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If I do it is because I may have it either too tight or too loose. I don't do it all the time but at least I can do it if needs be to make a quick catch and not lose the fish. I usually test the drag before I cast anyway. But sometimes it isn't always set right so I have to make a quick and small adjustment.
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[quote Endomorph]Hey guys, first post here.

One of the questions I've always had is if it's safe to adjust the drag on a spinning reel once you're hooked.

Let's say I realize the drag was set very low and I want to tighten it up a bit. Are there any potential problems in doing this?

Thanks.[/quote]

It is always best to adjust your drag before landing a fish. If it is too tight, then line might snap before you have a chance to adjust the drag. Having the drag a little loose is always better than to tight.
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I do it all the time, as a matter of fact, I do it so much that I spicifficaly look for reels with rear drags, not that front drags are not ajustable while fighting a fish, it is just easier to ajust the drag from the reel if the option is available.

I have a couple reels with battle drag leavers on the back side of my real, insted of turning the dial, I just thow the leaver for quick ajustments.

the down side to ajusting the drags is if you have allowed your reels to have gotten dirty or not maintained and lubed properly. Thus causing your spool to lock up and snap the line..

as for loosing fish from spit outs, you wont have that problem just so long as you keep the tention on the hook while resetting the drag.
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Agreed.. I have an old reel with a lever on it for quick drag adjustments.. Just need to be sure you flip it the right direction..

I like a lighter drag to start with for bigger fish and then as they wear out a little I start to put more pressure on the drag.. Also, if you are using a bait caster try putting your thumb on the line as the fish is running to add a little drag to it without actually adjusting the drag..
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