[Stroth]

Did some searches, but could not find exactly what I was looking for maybe someone could help me here.

I am looking for a recommended drag setting for cod fishing. I am fishing on a couple of the upcoming marathons on the Bunny Clark.

My setup is an Ugly Stick BWB1120-80 paired with a Saltist 30T, spooled with 300 yds of 50# Izorline with a 60 foot topshot of 60# mono. I will most likely be jigging a 12 or 16 oz lavjig.

What would be the best drag setting? I have a scale and can get a somewhat accurate reading in lbs. I think the tuna guys set their drags for over 20lbs or right near the max of these types of reels.

What about cod?

Does the drag setting even matter? I have never taken the time to set my drag to the # and I will admit that I most likely have lost fish as a result of it with too much pressure simply pulling the hook.

What do you guys think? 15#

Many Many Thanks

Stroth

 

[elnath]

A general rule of thumb is to set your drag to 25% of the lightest line weight (leader/main line) you are using.

So for your 50# set up, I'd think you want 12-15 lbs of drag.

Others may have a better idea, but that's pretty much what I've always used.

 

[FishWisher]

Those fish have soft mouth. I set my drag to 8lb-10lb for cod, reagrdless of the line's pound test. You can always turn it down if you need to, like when the man in the grey suit shows up.

 

[Codfisha15]

The man in the grey suit. Wow, that's a noble name for a filthy mudsucker.

I'm far less scientific than Mr. Abovksy, but figure that I set my drag lighter than him. So that a chunky market cod or pollock will usually take some line. Have to make it sport fishing somehow, after all

. It usually works out so that when I jig, line almost comes off the reel, but not quite. I'm no codgod but have taken my share of steakers and this protocol has served me well.

 

[FishWisher]

No, not haddock.

Mr. Goldschlagger, you disappoint me. Did you go fishing on the day they covered metaphoric expressions in English 101? A rhetorical question. Let me give you a hint - the man in the grey suite is also known as the tax man. Turning down the drag makes it tighter, not lighter. Lets see if we can build a synaptic pathway or two out of this datum.

Hey, what happened to my little avatar picture?

This post edited by FishWisher 09:26 PM 09/17/2008

 

[Stroth]

I like codfisha's method allot.

I think I will set my drag to ten lbs. and then see how far off it is from his method. I definitely need to loosen it up though, I had it set so tight you could barely pull line off

 

[DaveB]

FishWisher wrote:
Mr. Goldschlagger, you disappoint me. Did you go fishing on the day they covered metaphoric expressions in English 101? A rhetorical question. Let me give you a hint - the man in the grey suite is also known as the tax man. Turning down the drag makes it tighter, not lighter. Lets see if we can build a synaptic pathway or two out of this datum.

Hey, what happened to my little avatar picture?

Wow Mikey's panties must be really bunched up!

What's the matter? Suffering from fishing withdrawl?

 

[FishWisher]

Probably.

 

[Codfisha15]

Well given your allusions, I suspect that said man in grey (or as we in America write, gray) suit is some sort of carcarhinid. Again, however, I'm afraid that I can't be sure.

Stroth, it's a good method and will serve you well

. One thing I've noticed among nearly all cod sharpies is the use of a light drag.

 

[DaveB]

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Willy nails it! Blue Sharks!

As far as drags go. They old way was to hammer them down. This worked well with mono. There is a lot of stretch in 200 - 300' of that stuff. I remember Jerry Hill of the Yankee Fleet used to tell everyone to hammer them down and to swing for the fenses when setting the hook on Georges Bank trips. He didn't want fish falling off the hook half way up. If you're going loose it loose if on the bottom and keep the sharks away from the boat. That doesn't work with braid. The only stretch is in your leader. So back them drags way off. If you're hooks are sharp you shouldn't need any more than a good solid flick of the wrists to set the hook.

 

[Codfisha15]

I figured, but last time I checked, blue sharks were...uh...blue...

 

[KILSONG]

How you guys know your drag is 10 - 15 lbs as I've never seen anyone actually use scale to measure the drag for cod fishing.
I usually pull lines with my one hand by feel, but I don't know how much drag it is.

 

[bretabaker]

i'm with kil....i only set drags when i think ill use over 20lbs
i'm only playing though...i've only fished cod a few times. i really want to go on some nice cod jigging trips, but now that i'm in texas thats a bit harder!!

 

[641482]

I like the "almost slips when jigging hard" set.you don't need much.The only other suggestion from the "rubber band clan" in NH is lengthen your mono topshot about 300ft.......friends don't let friends use braid!!!

 

[Capt. Marc]

Just ask Tim or one of the Mates to check your drag. Then pull on it so you know what feels right.