Do you guys go by feel? Do you hang a weight from the line? Do you use a scale?

By feel. When I first started fishing I was taught to have some line out and have someone grab the end of said line and hang on tight. Honestly I think we sometimes had lures attached via a snap lol smh. The rod holder would then increase tension on the line until there was a 'normal' fish fighting bend in the rod. Then adjust the drag until it felt right. I think we also tried to mimic a run. Pretty much do the same thing now. Hard to get the right bend in the rod by myself but it's close enough. If it's not I've gotten pretty good at quickly pulling line out if it's too tight.

By feel as well although I keep my drag pretty loose and use my thumb on the spool more than I do the actual brake.

We're bass fisherman, we don't need no stinking drags!!

Guess how I set mine.

By feel or an educated guess, unless I’m flipping then it’s locked down.

I usually lock it and back off if I hang a good one. For lighter line or cranking I’ll just back off a couple turns to where it feels good

Laydowns or in thick vegetation I’m completely locked down and have the rod and line to handle it.

Cranking with a bait caster just enough for a firm pull by hand.

I’ll thumb the spool if a big fish surges or the situation calls for it.

Spinning gear with typical finesse presentations I like a firm, consistent pull by hand. I will adjust tighter or looser depending on my line and tackle.

Feel is not setting drag. Most people doing this are barely getting over a pound of drag.

Especially catching big fish on finesse tackle, there's no room for guessing.

I use a spring balance at the first guide closest to the reel, set to one-quarter of weakest link, line test, leader test, or rod max line rating - here, 2-1/2 lbs for 10-lb leader.

Most don't get set over 3 lbs, but tuning surf reels last week, blue corundum drag washers in Ambassadeur C3 stack, set lure rod to 4-1/2 lbs for 19-lb leader, and meat rod to 6 lbs for 27-lb braid.

Last summer I lost a few when I set the hook with loose drag. This was with spinning reels so there was no chance to save it with a thumb. Now I keep them tight. I find it easier to back the drag off while fighting than to try and tighten it up.

With casting reels I tend to keep it looser and rely on my thumb when needed.

I swing for the fences when I set the hook. Since I am primarily using 8# line I keep my drag loose enough to slip a little on the hook set. If I get a good one I want it to be able to pull line instead of breaking off.

I use a spring scale religiously. In the 90s I lost the smallmouth of a lifetime because my drag was locked down. I think about that fish every time I pull out the scale to set my drag.

I lock the drag down on my bait casters, if big fish, push the thumbar and use my thumb as a drag. This is probably not the smartest but it works for me.

2 1/4 half litre bottles of water. About 2.5 lbs. Always easier to add if a big fish. I don't do hard hooksets.

You will be surprised how much bend there is with a medium rod.

Try it!!

On a baitcaster? Crank it down and winch her out. And I choose the line and rod combo that works for that style and the cover I’m fishing. Pitching a half ounce on a hefty rod with 20 lb big game? Crank it down. Throwing walking baits through the treetops on 14-16# supernatural? Crank it down. Since I mostly fish mono I’m not worried about excess drag or give in the system.

On 6 lb leader in open water with a minnow I’ll leave a spinning rod drag open a little. With 10 # leader throwing a Neko near cover I’m pretty locked down to pull them out.

Right or wrong...by feel. Been doing it that way for over 70 years.

By feel, from 2 lb mono to 100 lb braid. It's been working for 45 years.

All feel

Initially the drag itself is set a little less than ideal as my thumb never leaves the spool throughout the entire process of

casting, presenting, retrieving and landing.

Mike

On a baitcaster I just lock it down. lf I get a good one right at the boat that's pulling hard straight down I'll back it off some . Breaking off fish used to be a thing back in the day but with today's line it's just not something that concerns me.

On a spinning rod , with 6 lb. leader I just set it by feel and adjust from there.

I set by feel, locking it down pretty good with 15# leaders and 30# braid. With light line presentations I loosen it up pretty good, but I lose fewer fish by making a second hookset.

Thanks everyone! I’ve set them all the ways I’ve mentioned over my years of fishing salt and freshwater.

This year it’s gonna be 15 pound big game. 15 invizx flouro ( since I have some left). And braid. So I think I’ll be locking the drag down lol

When I remember to tighten it up, it's by feel.

55 minutes ago, Bankbeater said:

When I remember to tighten it up, it's by feel.

I, too, have a bad habit of forgetting to tighten after backing off from a previous outing. I now make a habit of setting the drag on each reel before putting it in the rod locker.

This is just the type of thing I would love to hear WRB’s opinion on.

5 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

This is just the type of thing I would love to hear WRB’s opinion on.

We talked about it once a while back. He liked to set a mh rod to about 4-5 pounds if I recall. He used water bottles in a bag if I remember correctly.

Experience-driven and all by feel.

I was taught to play plus-sized fish with the rod.

I prefer a 'lighter' drag in most instances.

Especially by today's standards, where most every bass gets skied & boat flipped.

Need a locked drag for that most times.

Finally, pet peeve of the day,

"Reeling against the drag", meaning the handle is being turned and zero line is being gained.

What's the point?

Must be a great time with FC on a spinning reel.

That is all.

🙃

A-Jay