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With my Zebco Omega ZO3 with 8# test and med. 6' rod; I set the drag to slip at 2 3/4 lbs.( 1/3 line strength). However when I set the hook hard on a bass or large crappie the drag slips slightly, not alot, but I can hear it "zip" and feel it slightly give at the tip. Is this okay/normal or should I tighten it up abit ? -Thanks
You could set it tighter a little more. I keep mine down tight, I hate hearing the zip sound when the hook is set. The only time I want to here zip is when I'm using 2# test line. With a loose drag your giving up the hook setting power of the rod. Tie your line to a solid object and back up some, let about 10-15 feet of line, now raise your rod sharpely like your setting the hook. Adjust the drag to your liking so that very little if any line comes off the reel. With 8# test it will take an awful lot to break it.
Just keep in mind when crappie fishing that thse fish have "paper mouths" and too much pressure on a slab will cause the mouth to tear, loosing a possible trophy. Set your drag to the paper mouth instead of to line strength and it'll save you some fish.
I always have mine tightened down all the way and never have any problems.
I typically set my drag at about 50% line strength as opposed to 1/3. I have never had any problems with this rule of thumb...
I use mainly spinning reels, I set mine so that you can pull it out easy but not so light that you can't reel without the trag singing, The crappie have soft enough mouths that it does not take much to set the hook, If your missing them on a hook set, It may be your hook is dull.
Cliff