setting drag on penn int's

[Tyke]

i was just wondering what the correct procedure was to set the drag on penn international reels. i'll be fishing bluefin tuna and was told to use 24-26#'s of drag. now do i set that so i have that many lbs at strike or should i have that many lbs. at full drag. just curious cuz if i have say 25#'s at full i can't put anymore drag on the fish if i want. i'll be fishing two fifty wides and a seventy vs. also does anyone know how many yds. of eighty lb. mono will fit on a fifty tw?

[clt_capt]

If I remember correctly, I have 700 yds 80lb Suffix on my 50TWs.

I prefer to set my drag at strike - but keep in mind that you want to be able to freespool still. If you think you will need to go above strike, you can put a piece of tape between strike and full drag. Then find out where 30 lbs is and mark that on the tape - you can always make as many marks as you want...

[lazyfatass247]

I set mine at strike. at 22 lbs on my 50's. I am running 80 on the top.

That number is set at the strike button. This way I can add more drag if I feel I need to. 99% of the time the button is right where I need to be.

Good luck.

The Penn website has everything you need to know about current and past reels.

[clcharette]

We troll with about 14-15 lbs of drag and when the fish hits and turns and starts dumping line we bump the lever up to strike which was preset at 20lbs for 80 lb mono. We would fish the same with 100 lb mono and bump the drag up to 25 lbs of drag at strike, again the fish is dumping line before going to strike. The extra 5 lbs a drag really cuts down the fight time.

[Big Jay]

First off, make sure you adjust the drag at freespool. They don't adjust properly if engaged and you can damage the reel internals.

Second, for 80# we usually have our reels set to 22 lbs. at strike which is slightly over where you want to be.

Third, if fishing for bigger BFT's with 50's i would opt to spool them with Jerry Brown or Suffix to a top shot of money. About 100# should do fine for the top shot.

Fourth, remember if fishing lighter leader for these fish adjust the drag for the MAX the leader can handle...NOT the mainline. Made that mistake once or twice. 80# mono with 22 lbs. of drag but a 60# fluoro leader = SNAP

[mythosbeer]

I've never hooked a BFT, but when I troll I fish lighter drags and once the fish takes some line, bump it to strike. I like less drag pressure when the fish strikes so I don't rip a hole in her mouth from the start. I would set it to something like 12-15lbs to troll and set it at your desired drag of 20-25lbs at strike.

Mitch

[captkev1]

Tip, Crank againt your drag for a bit before setting your drag on a drag scale. Drag will change as drag washers heat up. You dont want to set your drag when the washers are cold. The second the fish hits the drag washers will heat up and you will have diffrent amount of drag then you would if you set them when they where cold.

[lazyfatass247]

I will be a bit more clear.

To start my season ill break the reel down, grease etc.

To set my drag. I like to make it a two man operation, its faster. I start by adjusting the preset and push the level to strike. I warm the washers this way. Then I fix to the scale on the end and take a reading. I make slow SMOOTH pulls. I then adjust accordingly.

Now a quick note of how the capt. of the boat I mate on likes his reels. During the fishing season, two speeds are in the low gear, with the level at Free spool and clicker on to prevent back lash.

During the winter I keep my reels in free spool, drag pre-set backed off fully, no clicker, not mounted on the rod. I tape the line to the reel. I put them in protective case's, and then in a dark, low humanity cabinet.

[captnemo]

First off, make sure you adjust the drag at freespool. They don't adjust properly if engaged and you can damage the reel internals.

Second, for 80# we usually have our reels set to 22 lbs. at strike which is slightly over where you want to be.

Third, if fishing for bigger BFT's with 50's i would opt to spool them with Jerry Brown or Suffix to a top shot of money. About 100# should do fine for the top shot.

Fourth, remember if fishing lighter leader for these fish adjust the drag for the MAX the leader can handle...NOT the mainline. Made that mistake once or twice. 80# mono with 22 lbs. of drag but a 60# fluoro leader = SNAP

Just curious why would you use a leader which is lighter then your main line? Seems counter productive...

[Tyke]

thanks for all the help guys. i was just curious because when i went to get my reel spooled the guy at the tackle shop told me i should be setting my drag at full drag. (put the reel in free spool, adjust the preset, then ingage the reel to full drag and aim for 25# at full) i thought that was a little weird since you wouldn't be able to put anymore drag on the fish if need be. by the way any thoughts on berkley big game fishing line?