On Jun 22, 9:07*am, Vic Smith wrote:
Drag - a smooth consistent drag is essential. *Depending on how much
attention you're paying to the rod, having it initially set as light
as possible is best.
This allows you to gradually tighten it as needed to tire the fish
before it can break the line or run it all out, instead of giving it
the opportunity to apply all its strength to the line when its
strength is at its greatest. ...

All good points.

Just to editorialize a bit: Light tackle is the thing if you're into
torturing fish to death. If you just want to slay them use heavy
tackle and close the drag right down as soon as they're hooked. If
you just want to kill the ones you are going to eat and avoid all by-
catch and missed hook-ups, get into the water, choose carefully and
then shoot your fish with a spear.

Also, if you're going to leave a line out behind your boat for days on
end a thimble or other chafe protector is a good idea where you knot
or crimp your line.

-- Tom.