How to Adjust Drag on an Oil Spinning Reel
- 1). Determine the line weight and targeted species before adjusting the drag. Tight drags will break light lines and loose drags are not capable of landing large fish.
- 2). Locate the drag knob on the reel. The drag adjustment knob is either located on top of the spool or on the side of the reel. The top location is most common. Turn the knob clockwise until it stops rotating. The drag is now at the tightest setting.
- 3). Grab the line and pull to test the line against the drag. Unless the line is 20 pounds or greater, it will stretch and struggle against the drag. Turn the drag knob one full, counterclockwise rotation.
- 4). Pull the drag to test the new setting. Continue loosening the drag until the line does not stretch when pulled against the drag. The drag is at the tightest setting for the line when the line does not stretch.
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