Drag Setting Recomendations Saragosa 18K

[tomfrmnh]

Hey Guys,

I am new to the jigging scene. In fact, I am new to offshore fishing scene. Anyway, I bought an intro jigging setup (Shimano Travela F, 5'8", XXH paired with a Saragosa 18K spooled with 65lb braid.) My question is what should I set the drag for targeting School Blue Fin Tuna? I was thinking 18 -20 #. I do have the carbonex drag upgrade. Is 18 - 20# realistic for this setup? Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Tom

[Sea Draggin]

Is 18 - 20# realistic for this setup?

Yes, that is realistic. Maybe leaning more toward the 18. Also keep an eye on your drag cap. They can melt down and replacements are sometimes available through shimano customer service. If you search "saragosa drag cap" in this forum, you will be able to get more info.

[pametfisher]

Yes, that is realistic. Maybe leaning more toward the 18. Also keep an eye on your drag cap. They can melt down and replacements are sometimes available through shimano customer service. If you search "saragosa drag cap" in this forum, you will be able to get more info.

I agree. 18 lbs. (measured) is a good place to start. As the fish pulls line, the drag will go up. A good fish can take a couple hundred yards and the drag can build (as the spool diameter decreases) to 30 lbs. or so.

A stock Saragosa will pull 22- 25 lbs. with the drag cap bottomed (spring fully compressed).

I posted something this morning on the Cabo/Saragosa/Penn that I'll add here at Sportfishermen now.

[mythosbeer]

I would try to stick to 18lbs as you are already at almost 28% of your braided line. As has already been said, as the fish pulls drag you can get close to 40% of your braided line, which will test your knot tying ability. Make sure you are confident in your knots!

[John from Madison CT]

How is it that Shimano advertises 44lbs of drag with this reel?

[Sea Draggin]

How is it that Shimano advertises 44lbs of drag with this reel?

Ha. Ha. Where is Mr. Shimano when someone has this question? Maybe dealing with delam on his glasses. I know I have another pair that is delaming.

[tomfrmnh]

Hey Guys,

Thank you for the information. I will stick with the 18# number and hope my knot (slim beauty..thoughts?) holds up. Is there an upgrade for the drag cap?

[mythosbeer]

The slim beauty is (or was if its not any longer) his go to knot for tying up on the boat!

Mitch

[Sea Draggin]

Yeah, there are versions of it that are really good and other versions that are not so good.

Test, test, test some more. With a hand scale.

I like a SIG knot also, but all pale in comparison to windons for jigging.

[pametfisher]

How is it that Shimano advertises 44lbs of drag with this reel?

After measuring dozens of spinning reels. The max drag is when the spool is near empty.

My Stella, Max Drag 55 lbs. has a full spool drag of 25-30 lbs.

Since drag torque stays constant no matter how much line is on the spool, more line equals less drag due to the larger diameter of the full spool. Less line equals more drag.

Quite a game of specsmanship.