I get 34# on Torium 16 with upgrade drag washer and drag plate.
This will be d-a (Doug) knuckle buster


I only plan on using 16-18 Lbs of drag. I like having the useable range higher so I don't have the drag locked down to get my drag.

I always wear gloves.

d-a

 

I only plan on using 16-18 Lbs of drag. I like having the useable range higher so I don't have the drag locked down to get my drag.

I always wear gloves.

d-a
I just joking. I know you wouldn't max the drag for this little reel

 

I know this is a fairly old thread, but I want to chime in on this topic.

I've never been able to understand why people are so concerned with max drag when (IMHO) most people don't know how to truly max out their tackle anyway.

Ever notice that guys who consistently take the biggest fish are the ones who combine an insane amount of heat on their gear with technique? Now tell me that you've ever seen maybe more than 5 guys who could do it!

If you have to ask how much pressure you can put on your gear, then you don't know your gear. Someone who asks this question wouldn't know what 45lbs of drag on 100 line feels like.

The only way to truly understand your tackle is to use it. You won't get the answer on the internet in your living room. Let me put it another way. I know a couple of guys who could probably whip a 100lb tuna on 40lb gear faster than most can on 80lb. Get my drift?

I'm not saying that people don't know what they're talking about. I know there are some great fishermen here.

I'm just saying that regardless of whether or not you fish fly tackle with 12lb tippet or 200lb mono on a Penn 70VSX, if you don't have "the touch" you won't know how much pressure you can exert.

This very topic is what has fascinated anglers since the first wooden reel came out.

 

Thanks for reviving this thread. I agree with everything you say, expect Penn doesn't make a 70VSX.

 

Well, whatever that 70 Int'l is.

And here's another point. You'll often see guys taking pics of them bottoming out their gear in the back yard. That doesn't mean squat. Do it in 4-6foot seas with the boat rolling, grips wet, with 250 yards of line out, half hung over from jammin last night, half sick, after 20 minutes of pulling, etc. In other words, in real conditions. That's the only way to truly know what you and your gear are capable of.

 

I know this is a fairly old thread, but I want to chime in on this topic.

I've never been able to understand why people are so concerned with max drag when (IMHO) most people don't know how to truly max out their tackle anyway.

Ever notice that guys who consistently take the biggest fish are the ones who combine an insane amount of heat on their gear with technique? Now tell me that you've ever seen maybe more than 5 guys who could do it!

If you have to ask how much pressure you can put on your gear, then you don't know your gear. Someone who asks this question wouldn't know what 45lbs of drag on 100 line feels like.

The only way to truly understand your tackle is to use it. You won't get the answer on the internet in your living room. Let me put it another way. I know a couple of guys who could probably whip a 100lb tuna on 40lb gear faster than most can on 80lb. Get my drift?

I'm not saying that people don't know what they're talking about. I know there are some great fishermen here.

I'm just saying that regardless of whether or not you fish fly tackle with 12lb tippet or 200lb mono on a Penn 70VSX, if you don't have "the touch" you won't know how much pressure you can exert.

This very topic is what has fascinated anglers since the first wooden reel came out.

I'd like to agree and then for the sake of a good discussion, disagree.

Technique, in all endeavors matters a lot. Technique may be the equal of tool. My dad repaired cement mixers, wreckers and automobiles for decades with a tool box that would fit under your arm. And technique is why my 140 pound neighbor always drives his golf ball a third further than me even though I'm 50% bigger. (How does he do it?) And I know I'd have to work on my technique a lot if I ever wanted catch up with him.

However, I think that your frustration with all the "internet talk" might be misplaced. First the fisherman who started this thread and many, many of those who contributed have thousands of hours of actual fishing time. They are using this forum to compare and debate ideas.

Although you do actually have to get out on the water and try things, equipment will never be any better than it performs on dry land. Given how inadequately rods, reels and lines are specified and given how inaccurate those specs usually are, I think most fishermen would do themselves a huge service to see what the best performance is that they can expect from their equipment under "ideal" land conditions so that they have a starting point.

The point that started this thread was that the first person posting has observed, on the water, a condition he feels is threatening the BFT fishery. Namely fishermen using equipment with inadequate drag for the species they're targeting--leading to very long fight times and lost fish--fish that swam around with 10' of leader and maybe 50' of braid until the hooks corroded or, whatever.

I think that's a good point to debate here. Even if, as my Provincetown neighbor who catches Giant Bluefins on handlines says, "What's all this fuss about rods and reels? Just get a good hook and enough line, catch a bluefish, dunk your bait, and get out there." (Note: The first time he took me out on one of those excursions on his 23 footer in 8 foot seas, I lost my bait and my breakfast.)

 

I thought this subject is very interesting not realizing I started this thread.
I know very few guys fish as hard as I do, but my experience is still very limited.
That is why we need discussion to learn from others' experiences. Still everyday is learning experience for me.
When I went tuna fishing on a party boat for the frist time, I landed 5 yft and fished like a veteran. It was mainly because I learnd so many things from reading before the trip and I was prepared for it.
The best thing of internet discussion is you can get pretty good ideas even before you put your line in the water. It saves lots of time and money.

 

reading the internet stuff definitely saves time and money and can point people in the right direction and give you new ideas on ways to fish for things. one guy may use a lure or setup that you'd never think to use....but it might work. now you've got one more option or something new to try. seeing everyone's experiences and trying them yourself is a big plus to these forums.

no one knows everything about this stuff....i know i have and still do learn a lot and get a lot of new ideas from people. when it comes to jigging/popping i think almost all of us (including myself) are beginners since it's relatively new. hearing different opinions and experiences helps the 'evolution' of this.

 

Very informative! Thank you.

 

Really neat to revive a 16-yr old thread, just looking at where everyone's head was at back then.
Lotta water thru the jetties since then.

 

Yes. Glad to do so. A wealth of knowledge here.

 

Welcome !

 

Thanks much!