How to Set the Drag on a Spinning Reel
Table of contents for Total Noob Beginners Fishing Guide
- The Fishing Rod: Parts & Terms
- The Fishing Reel: Types of Fishing Reels
- Terminal Tackle: All the Stuff on the Other End Your Rod
- Fishing With Live Bait
- Fishing With Prepared Baits
- Types of Fishing Lures
- Fish Anatomy
- Understanding Fish Senses
- Which Rod and Reel Should I Buy? – Your First Fishing Rod & Reel
- Two Knots You Absolutely Need to Know
- How to Assemble a Spinning Reel and Rod
- How to Load Line on a Spinning Reel
- How to Set the Drag on a Spinning Reel
- How to Cast Your Spinning Rod
- How to Find Fish
- How to Play and Land a Fish
- How to Keep and Clean Your Fish
The drag mechanism on your reel is designed to allow you to set how much resistance a fish feels when it pulls on the line.
Drag is measured in pounds. The tighter you set the drag, the more resistance the fish feels.
You want to set the drag tight enough that it tires out the fish when you fight it, but not so tight that the line breaks under stress.
The most accurate procedure for setting the drag on your reel requires a scale.
You can use a spring scale: 
or a digital scale: 
What is the correct drag setting for my reel?
The drag should be set to 25% of the breaking strength of the line you are using. The breaking strength is the line’s pound test, which should be clearly labeled on the package and spool.
test strength ÷ 4 = correct drag setting
For example, if you are using 8lb test line, the correct drag setting should be 2lbs.
8 ÷ 4 = 2lb
How do I set the drag on my reel?
- Assemble your rod and attach the reel. Thread the line through all the guides from the butt to the tip top.
- Tie the line to the hook of the scale.
- Hold the rod at a 45° angle.
- Pull down on the scale. Take a reading on the scale the moment the drag begins to slip.
- Adjust the drag mechanism until the drag slips at the correct setting for the line strength you are using.*On a spinning reel, the drag mechanism is usually on the top of the reel (front drag), though it can sometimes be found on the back end of the reel (rear drag). Click here to see a diagram of a spinning reel.
The scale method is the most accurate way to set your drag. You can try to set the drag by feel, many people do. But many of these anglers have their drag set too tight and too tight equals lost fish.
Hot Technique Alert: Have you ever heard of the fly and bubble technique? It’s an awesome and versatile fishing tactic that every spin fisherman should know… read about here.
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May 3rd, 2009 at 7:51 am
I have a 6 lb line but a 4 lb lead do you set the drag for 6lb or 4lb ?
May 3rd, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Hi Jeff,
Your leader is the weakest link here. Set the drag to protect your leader, that would be the 4lb test. Great question, thanks for asking!
-Nick
June 19th, 2010 at 7:06 am
How do knots affect the strength of the line and how does that factor into the above.
June 20th, 2010 at 6:48 am
Knots weaken the strength of the line. But, since we want to tie hooks on to the end of our lines, knots are a necessary evil.
The knot wouldn’t really affect the calculation of the drag. Just use the same knot you plan to use on the hook to tie the line to the scale; The drag will be set correctly (to slip before the line breaks).
In practice, most people are not this exacting about setting their drag. After you measure it once or twice, you’ll get an idea of the feel of it by pulling on the line with your hand after you’ve set it correctly for the weight of the line you’re using. After that you can probaby do it solely by feel. Measure again only if you change the weight of the line or forget how it’s supposed to feel.