How to set the drag on a lever drag reel
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Newbies Corner
Forum Description: If you're new to fishing this is the place to ask any questions about getting started ...
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=128254
Printed Date: 04 Feb 2026 at 11:39am
Topic: How to set the drag on a lever drag reel
Posted By: coxie
Subject: How to set the drag on a lever drag reel
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2018 at 3:38pm
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A brief tutorial video of how I set the drag on lever drag reels |
Replies:
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2018 at 4:07pm
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Thanks for posting Coxie but can you please tell us how to change the setting. If say the max drag when the reel is set to strike is only giving one kilo how do we bump it up? ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: coxie
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2018 at 4:54pm
| I thought I mentioned that the knob adjusts tension, will have to check over the vid haha |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2018 at 5:40pm
you may have! I was a few Len Browns in  ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
coxie wrote:Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2018 at 5:46pm
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What are your thoughts on drag settings for snapper Coxie?I know about the old adage of 25% to 33% of your line rating but as you do a lot of fishing with slow jigs/inchikus/micros etc etc what do you use to stop those little hooks straightening out/ I reckon 2 kg is perfect for snaps over sand but up to 4kg over foul ground. What do you recommend for kings? I know there is no easy answer there but lets say in the context of west coast king fishing. Still a few around I'm hearing you been getting into them? ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: coxie
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2018 at 6:23pm
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2kg of drag is usually plenty for catching snapper, most of the jigs these days have pretty strong hooks, even though they are small they can usually easily handle 4 kilo of drag, but like you say if you are worried about the hooks straightening then 2kg will work fine. For kings on my old jigging setup which max'd out at about 10 - 12kg of drag a few times I found myself cranking the star drag up so tight it was hard to undo afterwards (this was when fishing shallow) and this wasn't on large kings either, around the 12kg range. My new setup has alot more usuable drag so will be interesting to see how I end up using it, from memory I have set my strike drag to about 8 or 9kg. Apart from the Grunter Hunter I haven't been out fishing in quite a few weeks so i'm chomping to get out and catch some!
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Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2018 at 7:04pm
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Good info and thanks again for sharing Coxie. Still some kings out west I'm hearing. Like you I've been pretty slack lately. You fishing the Ice Breaker?
------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: coxie
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2018 at 8:20pm
| Considering it Smudge, have you got the dates handy? Couldn't see them on the website... |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2018 at 9:17pm
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6th, 7th & 8th July. you don't have top fish all 3 days of course ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2018 at 10:40am
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Another nice simplified video... And another question.. I have tried several spring type scales over the yrs, and none of them have been correct or consistant in calibration (container where 1L water = 1kg or 1 gal=10lbs)..where as the electronics have been consistant... And yes the main problem with scales.. all, is being able to read them while loading up.. that stop is way to go.. Because of this, I have set my drags on each rod similar to how you say above... then measure the load directly off the end of the rod... knowing that weight I can quickly set the drags just before heading out with scales that dont have the stop yours has. Out if interest.. yes varies from reel and rod, and angle down from the rod tip (rod height) on all reels, what is the load(s) direct off the end of the rod.. same direction as the rod is pointing?
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Posted By: Alan L
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2018 at 6:18pm
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One thing I do, when concerned about drag/hooks (ie are they strong enough for the drag I want), is hook the hook on to something solid the gape can fit around. I often use the handle on my bench vise. Then attach scales to hook and pull. At the point you see the hook start to flex, check scales.If that is well beyond your drag setting, fear no more. If not, your call. Alan ------------- Legasea Legend member |
Posted By: coxie
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2018 at 9:51pm
| I think alot of the time when hooks are crushed/bent, especially on snapper, it is just pure luck on the way the hook has gotten itself stuck in the snappers jaw and crushed when the fish bites down, the power of a snappers jaw is pretty damn strong and it would take a large gauge hook to prevent this, purely outweighing the benefits and penetration ability of a small hook. |