Question.

In the thick grassy areas of many of our ponds, how do you set the drag?

Do you keep it at a normal setting so a big bass can pull drag,

or do you tighten it down so a big bass can't pull you into the grass and wrap up and get loose.  

I set mine so I can pull them through the grass.

If the whole area I'm fishing is pretty much covered in grass then I will tighten the drag pretty snug but not hammered.  (for some reason I think hammered is bad for my babies, Mental I guess)..

If the area is only partial grass and partial open water then I will leave drag at normal and use my thumb against the spool to prevent line from coming out until I can pull the fish from cover.  Once it's in open water then it can pull pull drag.

it depends on # test im using. for the most part i have it locked down.ive lost too many big bass letting them use me in the grass.sometimes though especially in tx. when having to use 12/14 # mono to get bit i leave drag at normal,tight drag and it will pop.i just go in and try to get to fish before he breaks off.

That's a good question.

In casting situations I prefer spinning tackle, but that puts me at a disadvantage because I can't add any thumb-pressure.

But if I know I'll be fishing in really heavy stuff, I'll bring along my MH 6ft spinning rod spooled with 40-lb braid.

The drag is slap-down to the max, so a large enough bass would have to tow my boat around, but that's never happened.

I figure that horsing them out of the cover is a little better than hauling in 30 lbs of salad with every 2 pound bass

Roger

Drag?

I was not aware that drag was necessary  with 65 lb braid......Hookem, landem ,kiss them goodby.

I don't fight fish, I think they have less stress with quick catch and release..Just my .02

That's a good question.

In casting situations I prefer spinning tackle, but that puts me at a disadvantage because I can't add any thumb-pressure.

But if I know I'll be fishing in really heavy stuff, I'll bring along my MH 6ft spinning rod spooled with 40-lb braid.

The drag is slap-down to the max, so a large enough bass would have to tow my boat around, but that's never happened.

I figure that horsing them out of the cover is a little better than hauling in 30 lbs of salad with every 2 pound bass

Roger

X1. whenever i fish heavy grass, i always use braid, and bully them right to the boat.

I think what you braid  guys are saying is that you tighten the drag all the way.

It seems pretty unanimous so far.

I just tried it for the first time this weekend with 20 lb leader on 20 lb braid. Full drag.  I could break the line when hung up, but not during a fight. I guess with the excitement I was never in the right position to exert the necessary pressure to break the line. This is partly due to being in a 10ft Jon with one hand on the trolling motor and just enough breeze to spin me.

This is what I learned after about 3 losses and 4 wins.

Keep your rod pointed in the direction of the lure. You will need as much sweep as available. At hook set continue through with sweep to get them up and moving. Start reeling ASAP. One your rod goes to beyond straight up by about 25* you are out of sweep and must real fast enough to keep that bass skiing across the surface. If he slows enough to break surface and get back in the water there is a much greater chance he will tangle.

Variables

I was using spinning gear, 7ft MH/F

I only pulled 1 and 2 lbers.

I was in a jon and couldn't get out of my seat during the fight.