why do so many of these famous anglers on the tv ie, john wilson ,paul young etc when playing a fish stick their hand on the reel to slow the fish down when they are fishing with reels with some of the best drags in the world,this is not good practice for any up and coming novice who watches these programs,the amount of young and old anglers ive seen do this and get broken is amazing,do most of you forum members do this as well ,i say let the reel do the work not your hand they will never brake you

Get it on the reel and let the drag do the work. I know lots on here say that they have never seen their backing,I see mine many times every year, and only because I use my drag to control good fish.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

You've got it the wrong way around. The reason that many experienced anglers touch the palming ring to adjust the amount of "drag" is because when done right, this is a far more effective and reliable way of fighting a fish and gives the angler more control.

The reason you've seen anglers break off fish by sticking their hands on the reel is because sticking your hand on the on the reel is exactly the wrong thing to do. Only the slightest amount of pressure is required, just touching the spool edge with the tip of your finger adds several pounds of pressure, so a ham-fisted grab of the spool is obviously going to produce a breakoff. I use the very tip of my index finger against the spool,

Even with "the best drags in the world" the problem isn't the drag, it's the startup inertia that causes the breakoffs. Startup inertia varies, but the greater the drag tension, the greater the startup inertia. If you have your reel's drag set to 7 pounds of drag, it actually will take anywhere from about 7.25 to 9 or more pounds of force to get the spool in motion, depending on the reel. Only then, onece the spool is running, does the reel exert an even force. With this lack of consistent force, it's hard to have effective control.

Many experienced anglers tend to have their drag adjusted just tight enough to prevent spool overrun. Then when the fish is on and running, they can gently ramp up the pressure and vary it quickly depending on the situation just by putting gentle pressure with a finger or a palm edge on the spool. With practice it's a far more effective way to fight a fish and that's why you so many experienced anglers do it.

Grouse

well said and i agree i feel much more in control of the fish keeping my drag set lower than i need ,and as said using the finger tip applying very little pressure gives you much more control over the fish.

And how many fish do these experienced anglers lose ,,hmmm not many nor do i, although i would still say that people should stick to what they know and are comfortable with when playing a fish as ive seen so many method work very well over the years..

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dont you just love nature

I totally agree about having far better control using my hand. I only use the drag to prevent an over run of line.

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I always wanted to be somebody,but now I realize I should have been more specific.

You live & learn. At any rate you live.

As Grouse said, you have definitely got it wrong - the 'experts' are demonstrating best practise not bad practise.

Even if the reel I am using has a modern drag I will only use this on the lightest of settings with just enough drag to prevent overruns when pulling line off the reel when casting. You can get far more subtle control, with the ability to instantly vary the amount of drag, by 'palming' the spool rim and this can be a critical factor when there is a large and lively Seatrout on the end of the line making quick changes of direction or performing aerobatics.
Although modern disc drags are very smooth, I think there is a tendency among some anglers to rely on them too much, especially novices who think the drag will do all of the work for them.
As Grouse also pointed out, it takes more pull to start a drag than it it does to keep it slipping and I have seen many fish lost when, seeing the net, they have made a last lunge for freedom against a pre-set drag. If you are controlling the spool with your hand you can instantly yield line with minimum drag and avoid a break or having the hook pull out.


Dave.

As Grouse et al have said, set the drag as light as possible and use a finger on the rim to control the pressure.

In fact I have never really understood why reel brakes came into fashion for trout fishing, just adds unnecessary weight to a reel IMO.

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Vulgata (formerly fishgb - AKA Gary Bell) Dorchester, Dorset.

"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity"

WHAT!!!!!

Either the units got mangled - or - there's been a sad lack of measurement.

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Plusnet/Madasafish > Liars to the internet community

I would add that I also set my disc drags light too avoid overruns

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

If the chance arises - then play from the reel, either rim or drag as suits..

But, if I cast 20 yards and retrieve 15 before hitting a fish then, at the start of the process, I've got 15 yards of heap to wind in before getting the fish "on the reel" - like lots of folks, sometime I play it "Line in hand".

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Plusnet/Madasafish > Liars to the internet community