Drag Setting?

[Chadster]

What is the proper way to use a scale to set drag weight?

[Dutchman]

I don't use a scale to set my drag, I let out about 6' of line, then hold the rod in my left hand and the line in my right, I then pull the line and adjust the drag until the rod is solidly bent and the drag is starting to let line out. I feel it's not the weight so speak but the combination of the rod and the reels drag that wears the fish out.

[Sparky]

When walleye fishing I set the drag light by hand and I've never had a problem. When Sslmon fishing I use a digital scale to set the drag at 1/3 the breaking tension of my line. I use 30 lb test on my riggers so, I take a spooled reel with a loop in the line, hook the loop onto the scale, and then adjust the drag until line starts to come off at 10 lbs. It has worked well for the last ten years. I'm sure that there are other methods used.

Sparky

[Phil T.]

That 1/3 of the line rating is excellent advice, be sure that the rod is bent, that is pointed somewhat away from the scale. Just like when fighting a fish.