I may be misguided but I set the clip plenty tight, If the fish doesn't trip it a quick jerk with my thumb on the spool does.

I think extra sharp ( stick to my thumbnail with very very light pressure) is about the most important thing, when it comes to a hook up, I test every hook berfore it goes in the water, if I have a strike I reel up and check it .

With the rod at full bend I loosen the drag untill it just creeps out , then tighten enough to stop and reel down untill bend is proper, when I hook up I have my thumb on the spool for hook set, and then adjust the drag, ( usually loosen a little) during the fight and use my thumb to increase it when I feel its safe, I always like the drag loose when ready to net and use my thumb to get him in the net. I've lost a few and seen a lot lost because of too tight of a drag when the fish is next to the boat.

I'm not an expert by anybody's stretch of imagination, but that is the way that has worked the best for me.

I check my drag during the fight with my reel hand when the fish is pulling hard and not taking line I grasp the line with thumb and forefinger and try to gauge how much more it takes to spool, if I think it's to much I loosen a little.




herm