Drag For Sailfish/Whites

[DropinBack]

Thanks. I have been using 4-6 when using 20-30 pound line.

[Fritz]

4-5 pounds.

[SeaMent]

My guess is 3 to 5. I am kinda like you Squid, enough to gain line AND keep a bend in the rod.

I do it by feel, constantly checking all day. If you fight a fish, check it. If you check the Bait, check it. It doesn't take long to figure out what feels right to you.

Squid & PM, what are settin your drags at strike ? are you backin off after you come tight on em ?

[DropinBack]

I usually have my strike at 4-6 pounds but fish all of my rods in free spool.

[Phat Mann]

Seament-

I'd have to say 3 to 4 on Strike. No I don't back down after the hookup unless circumstances warrant. (Tons of line out or lots of belly)

Don't forget the thumb, sometimes it has it's time and place during the fight. Sometimes NOT. LOL

[SeaMent]

Seament-

I'd have to say 3 to 4 on Strike. No I don't back down after the hookup unless circumstances warrant. (Tons of line out or lots of belly)

Don't forget the thumb, sometimes it has it's time and place during the fight. Sometimes NOT. LOL

PM, gotcha I don't even want to think about the ole thumb

[Phat Mann]

SM- too funny, just count on the use of the thumb being blamed when a fish doesn't make it too the boat. The Capt and mate are always watching!

When you smell something burning, your using too much pressure!

[SeaMent]

SM- too funny, just count on the use of the thumb being blamed when a fish doesn't make it too the boat. The Capt and mate are always watching!

When you smell something burning, your using too much pressure!

PM, LMFAO

[waynofish]

Fishing 30lb line I set the drags to 6 at strike SO IT"S THERE IF I NEED IT. I mark where 4lbs is and use that as my guide. Hook up, I take it to 4lbs. I leave it there until needed, like if a fish is down and all that happens is line strips off when you lift the rod. More often then not I don't need to increase drag.
That's with circles.
When I used J's I would actually set strike a little lighter, about 4 as I never liked much drag. My thought on that was you had to be quicker with a J. Just push the lever quickly till it stops and reel like hell.
Circles are a little more forgiving at the hookup and allows you the quick moment to glance at the reel when easing the lever up, until you get the feel of where your taking it up to.
If the bite is going off I am more inclined to have em take it up to 6 a little quicker.