Check that drag

[c parks]

Rookie mistake...
Bait fishing for tuna Sat with some live macks under a kite and balloons. Balloon 150' off portside at a depth of 30' gets hammered around 6:30pm (love the night bite). Doesn’t feel that big as the fish is swimming towards the boat and we get almost all the line back. Finally the fish sees the boat and runs hard straight back and down- bends the 130 almost in half-taking line and fwwwaaaap busted off. The angler was lucky he didn't get knocked out by the kickback of the rod. Checked the drag afterwards and at just under strike the drag was scaling out at 60lbs! My routine includes checking all drags, line, connections, gaffs, harpoons etc. Rushed the setup and paid the price.

[sportsman250]

what # line were you running?

[Clint3240]

isnt 60 lbs standard for a 130?

[Capt Fred]

45 lbs @ stop

[c parks]

what # line were you running?

the fish busted 150 floro leader
the thing that threw us was that the balloon slipped off as line was going slowly out. As we started reeling in their must have been a big bow in the line as the fish swam towards the boat? thats my best guess- when he finally felt the pressure he bolted. On his second run he busted off.

[Cape Fisher]

What do you usually set te drag at on a 50?

[rmoody79]

What do you usually set te drag at on a 50?

My 50 reg are set 24lbs at strike, and 30lbs on my avet 50 wides.

[Cape Fisher]

My 50 reg are set 24lbs at strike, and 30lbs on my avet 50 wides.

Thanks

[LeeG]

I think we set at about 25% of the breaking strength at strike. If anything we're usually a bit under rather than over.

[sportsman250]

Do you reuse your leaders after hooking a fish?