Drag Scale

[maltembu]

Does anyone know of a decent drag scale or from where ? I know that quality costs, but if one that doesn't break the bank the better cos some of which I've seen   

[caldaland]

you might find this interesting.
                                          How to correctly set your Drag Pressure

THE DRAGS ON ALL REELS MUST BE WARMED-UP PROIR TO TAKING A DRAG READING!

Whenever you are Big-Game Fishing your Reel must have a properly tuned Drag System. The basic rule of thumb is that you should set your drag in the strike position to One Quarter (1/4) of the Breaking Strength of your fishing line. (For example: if you have 80lb test line on your reel, you should have your drag set at 20lbs in the Strike position.

The first step is to warm up the Drag-System. One should either hold the rod at a 45 degree angle or place it in an angled rod holder (do not pull against a rod the is at a 90 degree angle!) Run the line through all of the guides and tip then tie a basic loop knot at the end. Put the reel into gear with slight drag pressure and run the line out about 25 feet, then reel it back onto the spool. (repeat this step about 5-10 times.) The  friction and heat on the drag washers caused by this is necessary to get an accurate reading.

Step Two is to take a drag reading which requires a Spring Drag Scale. One angler should be holding the the rod a 45 degree angle and the other holding the scale. The Anlger holding the rod should now place the drag lever in the "strike" position and the Angler holding the scale shoud pull the line off the reel with the drag scale in hand VERY SLOWLY and EVENLY. (Most drag scales have a stopper where the peak of pressure is reached.)

Step Three is to adjust the drag to the correct pressure. This is achieved by either adjusting Stars or Presets.

If you have a Star-Drag Reel all your doing is adjusting the star (more tight or loose.)

With a Lever-Drag Reel you must place the drag lever in the "Freespool" position before adjusting the pre-set. YOU MUST HAVE THE REEL IN FREESPOOL BEFORE ADJUSTING THE PRE-SET KNOB! Most reels only require minute adjustments of the pre-set to increase or decrease pressure.

You are just basically playing with these features until the correct pressure is  achieved.

[shanook]

I do it a bit different.........not saying it is the right way ITS JUST MY WAY.......

I fill 2 ltr bottles with water according to how much weight I need, place these in a bucket and then lift it with the rod in strike position if the line does not slip then I lower the weight down.... lessen the drag and try again.... once it slips the drag is set......I set my drag at one third of the breaking strength........

[maltembu]

I do it a bit different.........not saying it is the right way ITS JUST MY WAY.......

I fill 2 ltr bottles with water according to how much weight I need, place these in a bucket and then lift it with the rod in strike position if the line does not slip then I lower the weight down.... lessen the drag and try again.... once it slips the drag is set......I set my drag at one third of the breaking strength........

Good idea 

[caldaland]

thank you! lol

[The_Gaffer]

drag setting should always be between 20-30% of targetted weight of fish, and never tighten the drag more than 70% of breaking point of main line.  This is important since knot strength always is about 10-25% less then the actual rating of the line.

also, becuase of inertia, drag friction is different at different stages of line spool, so use more drag when alot of line is out, but less when you have reeled in.

Best method I to use is the spring scales.  You can get a resonable priced one from misterfish.  In time, you'll get used to the drag friction and measure by hand.

[twoutes]

I use Shimano Spring scales on a T- handle assembly. The scales also have a marker which shows you what is was measured at. I like to set all mine 1/3 breaking strengh of the line.
Take note of the points abaove, particularly warming up your drag first.

[shanook]

With a lever drag u dont have to bother with the full lock of the drag as when u set the drag at 1/3 of it the full drag lock will be about the 70% lock as Joe stated. So that part comes automatic.

[maltembu]

also, becuase of inertia, drag friction is different at different stages of line spool, so use more drag when alot of line is out, but less when you have reeled in.

I know it that the more line goes out drag force increases automatically...

Thanks for your help guys..

[skip]

I have a couple of T bar drag scales, can't remember the brand though and they do their job well for calibration