Drag question

[Purebred Redneck]

I bought this clearanced Zebco 33 reel and it's probably got 8 pound (I'm guessing...that or a thin 10) test line on it. Anyway, when you adjust the drag to the tightest setting it will still peel away rather easily. When setting the hook, I have a feeling it will strip and not give a proper hookset.


Will going to 12 or 14 pound line affect the drag in any way - hopefully making it tighter

[jmarriott]

when a man dresses up like a woman

Ok wrong drag.

The size of the line should have no bearing on the drag. Look under the back of the reel and see if the gear is turning.

[jimh]

Jun 11, 2009 23:48:57 GMT -5 Purebred Redneck said:

I bought this clearanced Zebco 33 reel

that statement alone tells ya what you need to know. one thng about those Zebco's 33 they either work or they don't. you have the latter. ;D

[Jack]

Changing the line on any reel won't have any effect on the drag setting- 2 totally separate things.

[jimiowa]

You went too Far, back it off a bit!
As I recall the drag on a 33 is a disc drilled offcenter making it a cam that pushes on a spring lever that engages ratchet teeth in the spool.
When you exceed the set tension on the spring/lever it ratchets slipping so you don't break the line.
If turned too far it reduces the cam action(cam goes over center) on the lever(lessening it instead of tightening).
It's a simple reel that works quite well most of the time.
You should be able to open up the reel and see if something is out of place.
The weight of the line on the reel has no effect on the drag.
However the amount of line on the spool will, as you get less line on the reel it reduces leverage on the drag and it pulls harder.
So when you cast half way across the lake you have more drag on the line and it is reduced as you reel it in.
Which is why your always cautioned to keep the spool full.

PS Jim H, That was a good jab, but being on clearance has nothing to do with it. ;D

[dovehunter]

I haven't used my 33 for years but, as I recollect, you could tighten the drag down to the point where the line would break before it would pull out. I've always read that you should set your drag to start pulling out line at 1/2 the weight of the test of the line you are using.

[jimh]

what?? me take liberties on Reds behalf?

[Jack]

Shame on you, Jim! None of us would ever do that to poor old Red.
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Purebred Redneck]

I've always read that you should set your drag to start pulling out line at 1/2 the weight of the test of the line you are using.

I like the drag set to put a good crease in your finger but not tight enough to cut you.


Ok, so I took the reel apart and was able to tighten the drag more from the inside because of a better grip.

So the drag is now set pretty tight and I'm good to go. If I need to lighten it on a fish, I can. However if I want to tighten it again, I have to take the bottom cap off. It's not a big deal though because I really bought the rod as a 3rd rod while catfishing. It will serve it's purpose.