Drag settings on a 50w

johndtuttle · 05-15-2009, 04:41 PM

Just curious what kinda drag settings people are setting their 50w's at?

I was thinking about 25lbs at strike?

And what is the appropriate "curve". For example for a Penn 50Wsw if it is 25lbs at strike what would it be normally when the drag lever is pushed up to just cover the strike button? And then just past? And how much should it produce at full?

I haven't fished with a 50w much and am surprised at how much drag pressure increases with just tiny increases in lever past strike? Your thoughts?

All replies appreciated, thx in advance.

RWW · 05-16-2009, 12:14 AM

good rule is 25% of line rating at strike.

johndtuttle · 05-16-2009, 12:27 AM

Ya, that's what i was thinking. I got 100lb braid on it with a 130lb top shot of about 50 yards.

I picked up the reel used to put together my first real stand up outfit. How much drag at full will they generate? I was thinking about 50lbs. is this about right?

RWW · 05-16-2009, 11:59 PM

I have never seen a Penn 50W go 50lbs and still have free-spool. I would set it at 25 lbs at strike but back it off a bit when fishing to say 18 to 20.
At 50 lbs for stand up you will barely be able to hold onto it. Guys fishing Giant Blue Fin tuna set 130's at around 50 lbs and fish it out of the holder or a chair...
Set it with a drag scale, then have a budy pull off line while you hold the rod as if you were fighting a fish. Get a feel for 25 lbs and increase or decrease from there where you feel comfortable.

cold waters · 05-17-2009, 07:47 AM

we typically fish SBFT w/standup 50's. Last year i found that a 25# is about all that most anglers can handle.... many wont be able to handle that even... i would set you strike at 22-25.... you always can go over the button if you need to... i am pretty sure 40# would pin me in the corner begging for mercy.

calebw · 05-17-2009, 10:07 AM

The drag setting at strike should be 1/3 of the lines rated breaking point (mono only). If you have 50 pound line on your reel then the strike setting should be at 16 pounds. What are you using this reel for. If you are running 100 pound braid when I would use 25 pounds at strike (25% of line rating at strike). The reason for running less drag with braid is because when running mono it stretches to help compensate for the drag. Braid does not stretch.

rarhomes · 05-17-2009, 10:12 AM

I set my 50# line at 17#'s @ strike, it's about 24 - 25 @full.

Capt Rick

johndtuttle · 05-17-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calebw

The drag setting at strike should be 1/3 of the lines rated breaking point (mono only). If you have 50 pound line on your reel then the strike setting should be at 16 pounds. What are you using this reel for. If you are running 100 pound braid when I would use 25 pounds at strike (25% of line rating at strike). The reason for running less drag with braid is because when running mono it stretches to help compensate for the drag. Braid does not stretch.

It will be used for stand-up Marlin and YFT in Panama and Mexico paired with a Calstar GFTR 765H for both long range and PB fishing.

canyongear · 05-17-2009, 02:21 PM

#15-17 strike..don't forget it (drag) increases as the spool diameter decreases as the line is pulled off..

here's a link to the best thread ever on drag settings worth the read..

Drag settings

johndtuttle · 05-17-2009, 03:38 PM

thx for that. reading it now.

05-17-2009, 10:07 AM	#6
calebw Sit down Shut up And fish Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Apex Posts: 529 Home Port: MHC Occupation: Student	The drag setting at strike should be 1/3 of the lines rated breaking point (mono only). If you have 50 pound line on your reel then the strike setting should be at 16 pounds. What are you using this reel for. If you are running 100 pound braid when I would use 25 pounds at strike (25% of line rating at strike). The reason for running less drag with braid is because when running mono it stretches to help compensate for the drag. Braid does not stretch. Last edited by calebw; 05-17-2009 at 10:13 AM.

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05-16-2009, 12:14 AM	#2
RWW Anthony's Ark is a blowboater Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 288 Boat: 25' Trophy Home Port: OCMD Best Catch: 72lb BFT	good rule is 25% of line rating at strike.

05-16-2009, 12:27 AM	#3
johndtuttle I just got squirted with ballyhoo poop Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CA Posts: 41 Boat: rubber ducky Home Port: Monterey Best Catch: 8inch trout in a stream one foot wide Occupation: md	Ya, that's what i was thinking. I got 100lb braid on it with a 130lb top shot of about 50 yards. I picked up the reel used to put together my first real stand up outfit. How much drag at full will they generate? I was thinking about 50lbs. is this about right?

05-16-2009, 11:59 PM	#4
RWW Anthony's Ark is a blowboater Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 288 Boat: 25' Trophy Home Port: OCMD Best Catch: 72lb BFT	I have never seen a Penn 50W go 50lbs and still have free-spool. I would set it at 25 lbs at strike but back it off a bit when fishing to say 18 to 20. At 50 lbs for stand up you will barely be able to hold onto it. Guys fishing Giant Blue Fin tuna set 130's at around 50 lbs and fish it out of the holder or a chair... Set it with a drag scale, then have a budy pull off line while you hold the rod as if you were fighting a fish. Get a feel for 25 lbs and increase or decrease from there where you feel comfortable.

05-17-2009, 07:47 AM	#5
cold waters Hide- My Wifes Logged On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Portsmouth, NH Posts: 139 Boat: 18' seaway	we typically fish SBFT w/standup 50's. Last year i found that a 25# is about all that most anglers can handle.... many wont be able to handle that even... i would set you strike at 22-25.... you always can go over the button if you need to... i am pretty sure 40# would pin me in the corner begging for mercy.

05-17-2009, 10:12 AM	#7
rarhomes I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,304	I set my 50# line at 17#'s @ strike, it's about 24 - 25 @full. Capt Rick

05-17-2009, 03:38 PM	#10
johndtuttle I just got squirted with ballyhoo poop Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CA Posts: 41 Boat: rubber ducky Home Port: Monterey Best Catch: 8inch trout in a stream one foot wide Occupation: md	thx for that. reading it now.