I know this has a lot to do with line strength and other things, but where do you suggest setting the main drag with a bait runner reel? Do you set the main drag at the strength you want to land the fish or do you set it closer to the bait runner drag and tighten as it runs? If you set the main drag strong, won't the act of disengaging the bait drag set the hook (assume circle hook and mono line)? Is that what you want to happen? Any guidance appreciated. I lost a couple last year after the bite and I'm afraid I'm using the bait runner wrong. Many thanks.
i use baitrunner with circles and after i flip the runner to the closed position i just make sure that i feel the fish and it doesnt hurt to give it a pull back to make sure that hook is set good enough
The main drag on the reel you want set to fight the fish. The baitrunner should be loose enough for the fish to have minimal tension. Every reels a bit different but I generally have it as loose as the current will allow me. Some reels I have to run a hair tighter to prevent the spool overrunning and tangling if I get a hard surging run. Whether I use circle hooks or j hooks I always let em run a lil while then always wait to feel the fish before I set the hook or start realing. Circles hooks especially I like a lil more tip in the rod I feel I get better hook ups. Also ill use up to 7/0 j hooks and circles I run one size bigger up to 8/0. Gamakatsu octopus bend are my go to tied with snell knots. All these contribute to a pretty good hook up ratio and I hope this helps you land a couple more bites.tight lines....
Point the rod tip at the fish, let it run a little, click the BR closed, lower tip to the water till it feels tight, slowly raise and reel at the same time. I use 7/0 Gamagatsu octopus circles. Hook up ratio not bad compared to J hooks. Tight lines. It's almost game time.
Question about bait runner reels
