How To Set Your Fishing Reel Drag

[@cg-keuka]

That’s really nice that you take the time from your busy schedule to reply. Thanks, Craig

[@MattStefanFishing]

I try

[@jelmo1057]

Back in the 80’s I was at a Pro event where several of the Pro’s did little workshop/demo’s and one was on setting the drag on spinning reels. In short, what he advocated was you always set the drag to the rod (action) you are using. You basically would tighten the drag completely then hold the line in one hand and fully load the rod with the other hand and slowly loosen the drag until the drag started to slip. At that point tighten the drag slightly, a few clicks on today’s reels. I’ve done this since that time and seldom have a problem getting hook sets or breaking off, it works great. I don’t remember the pros name but it’s been a great tip and works for me.

[@MattStefanFishing]

That's a good tip! Thanks for sharing!

[@jakeechols7889]

Almost every video I watch I say it’s a great video but for real though I think this video can really benefit me and help me catch more fish. Great video Matt!!👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@carlholtz728]

Thanks I'll try it your way. I've always try to set mine lower and adjust during the catch.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Give it a try!

[@wesvyverberg9517]

The reel shot is the real deal. They seem to always have items that are out of stock on Tackle Warehouse. I picked up a megabass Vatalion and some of those berkley “the deal” swimbaits and they shipped in 2 days. Who doesn’t love 10% off as well. Thanks for sharing Matt!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for supporting the channel!

[@cg-keuka]

Keep those TIPS coming. Never stop learning.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Will do!

[@dennisederer3594]

Excellent training material today. I fish with spinning combos for the most part. I think I understand why I’m not getting the hook set. Thank you so much.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Great to hear!

[@johnrayner5599]

Great topic,Thanks for the info. I agree with you about the spinning rod, I will never try back reeling again, it can turn into a nightmare.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Back reeling has never worked for me.

[@dhjhawk]

I do the same thing for the same reasons. Good points about the hook set and line size. Great explanation.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@veteranfishing2495]

I completely agree with your thoughts on drags. I love going locked down for bait casting; use free spool only. Completely opposite approach for spinning. I also agree with your assessment; there is no right answer for everyone. Always do what’s best for your own system in fishing.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Agreed!

[@scotthd2841]

I’ve fished with some old timers that swore by back reeling. I could never get the hang of it, felt like riding a bike backwards. Those early spinning reels sure didn’t have the smooth drag we enjoy today.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Spinning reels have come a long way! That’s for sure!

[@david.weston7911]

Great stuff Matt this is why I watch everyday from Ohio.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@rvfishingyet]

This was very helpful. Especially the difference between heavier line/horsing the fish in on a bait caster vs lighter spinning rod setups. Cool insights on the variation of approach between casting and spinning. Your channel quickly became one of my top channels (nod to Debo’s fishing as well) good sir!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@acon2834]

well, you just explained my last 5 lost fish. great stuff.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad to help

[@acon2834]

@@MattStefanFishing so after watching today, went out and smacked my pb on a spinning rod/Chatterbait.

[@MattStefanFishing]

@@acon2834 congrats!

[@gabrielduarte3904]

i dont really know that much about baitcaster's drag, but, when it comes to spinning outfits, i think you could grab a page or two on what inshore saltwater fishermen do, we fish 2500 to 3000 size reels, with 8# to 20# braid, and leaders that go from 20# to 60# mono and since our mainline is always our weakest link, we set the drag to a 30% of what our braid breaks.. even 1, 2 or 3lb of drag for us is plenty to properly fight snapper, specklers, jacks, snook, even tarpon.. we also need to set the hook form a long distance, thats why we use braid (one of the reasons) we also need to "horse" fish as quick as possible, to prevent snook to sneak back in to the mangroves or docks, and snappers to go back under their rocks but alse rely on our drags to not pull hooks or bend out hooks from jacks or tarpon.. you may not have a scale handy to set the drag, and in time, you will develope a "feel" of what your drag should, again, feel like when set properly =)

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing with us

[@josefunes2406]

I don’t miss any video …. Thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching

[@juleswinnfield826]

Good info. I really like how no matter the tip you impress upon folks to experiment to find which options work best for them. Good on you. It's like eating cookies....ya gotta try em all to figure out your fav.... Keep up the great work, enjoying your approach to fishing subjects. And ya.... lock her down and swing hard, back reel sewing machines and free spool baitcaster. I also like to back all my drags off to completely loose when I'm not fishing

[@MattStefanFishing]

I love cookies!

[@juleswinnfield826]

@@MattStefanFishing Right on.... cookies are cool.....

[@Shiloh3498]

Great video! The only thing I do differently is I don't count clicks on a spinning reel, I don't have your experience...I just kinda developed a feel for about how far to turn the dial.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Right on

[@tommywalker741]

I agree on both casting and spinning, appreciate your advice and opinion, do you leave your drags tight In between fishing trips or does it prematurely where out your drag system. 🙏

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep. I'm on the water enough I don't think it would make a difference to loosen it or not. But if you are storing rods for a long period of time its probably a good idea to loosen the drag.

[@rcallies82]

Great topic! How much time do you think you have to relax your drag on a big one with a spinning reel before things go bad?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I try to adjust as soon as I know its big enough to break my line with a solid run. I don't want to wait until that drag stealing run happens.

[@alcav54]

Reel drags are so much better now, especially on spinning reels. And if you use Shimano you can’t back reel because there is no anti-reverse switch

[@rickhensley2251]

Wondering if you loosen your drags on your reels after you use them for the day?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Only if I know I'm not going to be using them in the near future.

[@ivanradi4275]

Thank you Matt !!

[@MattStefanFishing]

No problem!

[@greyhunter9287]

Great tips Matt and thanks! Hey, I noticed several baitcasters, especially in the BFS models, but even in the new Daiwa Zillion are going to a click system on their drags that sound like a spinning reel. For those reels have they completely changed the drag systems? And if so would that change your recommendations? Or are they still the same drags just with a clicking sound added. Frankly, I like the clicking sound as it makes me more aware of when my drag is slipping. My Shimano’s, as an example, have a habit of somehow getting a little loose on the drag. May be my fault I don’t know, but it would be nice to have that clicking sound to alert me if that happens, but not if it changes the effectiveness of the drag.

[@MattStefanFishing]

i dont think they are different drag systems just washers that have a clicking system built in, but I may be wrong.

[@erichthompson1194]

Couldn't agree more. Great tips!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@justinredden1729]

Great info Matt!!!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gregjohnson6799]

Agree 100 percent

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@crobarrm8695]

Still trying to wrap my mind around the whole bass fishing drag thing... I understand locking down the drag when you're running heavy line fishing in heavy cover. However, why not set your drag properly otherwise? You have a thumb and can add resistance if you need it, as well as thumb the spool on the hook set. I'm not sure about the latest casting reels, but when I was getting started fishing, if you engaged the reel while the spool was turning, you stood a good chance of breaking the pinion. Maybe it's just the difference between catching big fish and catching bass.... I'll continue to set my drag to 2/3 line strength and rely on my drag, thumb and rod. 45+ years of fishing for salmon and steelhead all over the west coast has me stuck in my ways. Lol For those not quite ready to adjust their drag on a coffee grinder while fighting a fish... you can palm the spool for additional drag, just watch out for the little line keeper found on some reels. On a side note... the softer the rod, the less drag you need at the reel. This is more pronounced as rod length increases.

[@MattStefanFishing]

As I say all of the time. One of the biggest things in fishing is to do what you are most confident in. As long as it works for you is what’s most important. I like to lock my drag down to make sure I get the hook penetrated, but like you said the rod, line and reel should all be taken into account . Thanks for the great comment!

[@crobarrm8695]

@@MattStefanFishing so I am assuming nobody in the bass fishing world greases their drag washers. You lose a little max drag, but it will be butter smooth as well as water proof. I'm starting understand why the guys in the bass fishing shop looked at me like I had 2 heads when I asked if they had any drag grease. Lol I still have lots to learn... That's why I subscribed to the channel. Keep it coming Matt

[@gabrielduarte3904]

2:12 this is the right approach, do what feels confortable and works for you.. because mr "im always right and y'all wrong" Randy Blaukat" loves telling people that they are wrong (he is the one that backreels and free spools btw) and dont get me wrong, i like mr Blaukat, but his rod&reel advice is terrible, but that's just me..

[@MattStefanFishing]

I disagree with him on a bunch as well

[@edpelkey7798]

Thanks, Matt! I thought I saw a faint big creature in the background. 🤡

[@MattStefanFishing]

Haha!

[@dnscjerald9809]

+ one subscriber

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@Riich87]

To be fair Iv never used drag and caught loads of fish and big 1s

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!