Locked Drags????

[Jim Hays]

I have a trip to Southern Oman in April. This will be my first experience fishing for GT's. I am reading and digesting a lot of info to be as prepared as possible. I am not new to popping as I have made multiple trips to Panama for YFT/big Cubera/mullet snapper, regularly fish Gulf of Mexico and Cabo San Lucas. I have some experience stopping hard fighting fish quickly as we quite often jig for large AmberJacks in GOM around oil rig structures which requires quickly controlling the fish or he's into barnacle covered structure and cuts you off.
My question is the use of the term "LOCKED DRAGS" Does this literally mean drag caps tightened until nothing left to turn or does this term imply very heavy drag. I'm a big guy (225#) and do weight training when not fishing and know what 25-30# of drag feels like. It is hard for me to imagine controlling a  truly "locked drag" on a Stella 18K. I set drag on my reels with a drag scale after breaking several rods attempting to keep an AJ from getting into structure so I really do know what heavy drag is. Again it is hard to imagine fishing a locked drag (drag cap screwed to the max). Please comment. Thanks

[Mark Harris]

This term "locked drag" gets bandied around very loosely Jim. 

First, as you will know being an experienced angler there is really no such thing (unless your reel is broken). Even if you tightened the drag knob with a wrench, the drag is still not locked, it is just ridiculously heavy.

Southern Oman is not so different to other global locations which hold large GTs, although there are number of spots where the really big fish do sometimes hang in very shallow water. In those spots, fishing heavy drag is wise if you and your equipment can handle it. If the GT is allowed to run far, the strong likelihood is you will hit some structure.  In other spots the water is deeper and you can fish what might be regarded as "normal" GT drag of 10-13 kgs.  In the shallow water areas there might sometimes be no choice other than the boat pulling the fish into deeper water with you at the back of the boat hanging on as best you can. 

I would suggest it is really up to you as an angler how you wish to approach this.  Personally I would fish a mix of heavy drag where it is absolutely required, and use a more normal technique in the deeper water spots.  Rod selection is obviously a very important factor.

As always, those are of course just my personal opinions, and others may think very differently.

Good luck, and if this is your first GT fishing experience you are in for some serious fun, as well as shock as to just how powerful the fish are compared to those you are used to .

[Jim Hays]

Mark thanks for the reply. Being more than a little OCD regarding tackle prep, when you mention heavier drag around shallow water areas could you put an approximate number to this? 30#, 35#, 40# ?? No disrespect to anyone, but it has been my experience that anglers's estimations of drag settings when checked with a quality drag scale often come up short. The OCD prevents me from just screwing drag cap down with out knowing numbers LOL

[Duncan O'Connell]

Hi Jim,
Like Mark says, it varies a lot depending on the location and the technique required to extract the fish.
The boat and sea conditions play a big role in this too as do how securely you are positioned in the boat. An open cast deck without rails or anything to lean against, is no place for 15-20kg of drag for most anglers. A game boat with padded gunnels that you can lock your knees into can be a different story - but I'm sure your pretty aware of that.
I would agree with Mark that 10-13kg is a commonly used drag for most GT anglers. 15-20kg requires good positioning in the boat along with a fair degree of fitness and/or skill at fishing heavy drag. Anything over 20kg is very challenging with significant risks to tackle and potentially to the angler.

Cheers

Duncan

[Mark Harris]

OCD... you are talking my language LOL 

I should have mentioned that talking to the operator you are fishing with would also be a good idea.

I do always set initial drags with a device but as for turning up it tends to be to a level that I think I can handle and live to fish the following day. I would estimate that at 15-17 kg - not something I enjoy and I would not do that for long!.  Again personal preference, nothing more than that.

[Jim Hays]

Again Thanks for the reply. Your response matches my experience. I wouldn't want to be on a wet casting deck with 35-40# drag setting. I also can see an explosion waiting to happen with a 18k drag cap screwed down to the max. Both of your responses have confirmed what my experience tells me.

[Trevor Skinner]

[Travis Heaps]

A slightly different take on it, and the way I use the term is when I have a big fish on that I need to stop immediately I screw the drag down till it stops that fish taking any line - that's what I call a locked drag. I don't fish it as a standard setting - or through a bent rod usually, typically the rod is almost pointing at the fish. Once the fish is turned (or dragged backwards by the boat) then I'll back it off and resume fishing, altering the drag setting throughout in line with fight ie still heavy if fish near structure, backed off when in midwater to help prevent pulling hooks/damaging gear/excess pressure, then when sighted I'll often back it off to light - eases pressure on me if it takes a last run and you have water to work with so no point being heavy handed (and I'm unfit so it helps ). And then when trying to grab fish I flick bail arm.  When it's all done I reset - two line wraps around gloved hand should just be able to pull line. All highly technical

[Steve Li]

Set the drag at around 12kg or slightly higher since you are a big and fit guy. You can always palm the reel when you need more stopping power. Having a high drag (15kg or more) set as default can be dangerous sometimes. A sudden take from a fish when you are wrong footed or not prepared could send you or your tackle into the water (or both). That is what I would do anyways. I applied the same principle in South Oman and it worked for me.

Personally, I see no point in setting ridiculously high drag in the hope that it will stop a fish. Cos if 12kg drag plus palming the spool is not stopping it, there's probably nothing much else you can do. But that is just my style.... Am sure there are other anglers with their own beliefs and opinion.       

[Duncan O'Connell]

I should have added to my post that like Travis, if I'm fishing heavy drag settings then I'm anticipating fighting the fish initially with the rod almost pointed at the fish. Once the fish swims out or is driven out from cover, then the drag can be backed off to a more manageable level. I've had some pretty hairy moments in those initial first few seconds, but in some spots it is highly desirable to get the fish swimming your way quickly, due to bommies and swell. I'm sure the guides will advise the best course of action wherever you are fishing.

Cheers

Duncan

[Ricky Lim]

I think everyone should fish what there are comfy with + one extra turn on the drag knob. you need it in GT fishing fair to say
After you got sick of that, try turning the drag knob till it stop!
That way you don't have to worry what setting you had it at.
Instead Focus on your free hand to grab hold of something if you need to,
Use your legs more to grapple on the side of the boat.
Curse n shout to motivate during fight.
Drink a little more after the fight for pain n suffering.

"go hard or go home"
"you win some n you loose some"
Enjoy the trip n company, not the drag!
"take everything with a pinch of salt"

I'm just jealous everyone is fishing and I am not