Hello All,

So we got verses back on direct tv and the wife and I have been watching City Limits.

Question: I have noticed in the Bass Masters and on this show Mike always is stripping his drag when reeling in a fish. I have'nt noticed any other pros doing this. What is the purpose?

Curious and maybe I will learn something.

Thanks

Ya I noticed that also. I have done it many times saltwater fishing but never bass fishing. Then again I got no DD in the boat yet either!

I believe the purpose would be to check and make sure the drag is set and functioning properly.

I've done it and seen others do it just not to the extent that Ike does.

He is just giving the line, so he won't break it off. I don't understand it either.

he usually uses extra light line

He's doing that like you would back reel on a open faced spinning reel.

What I have noticed for myself is the start of the drag is usually t a tough start. Once the line starts stripping the drag smoothes out. Personally I think he's making sure the drag is smooth peeling if the fish makes a hard run.

Isn't that what the drag is for? I always pull my drag before ever making my first cast (even when going from spot to spot), but never when I have a fish on..

You got me why he does it?

Yep.

Yep, I always pull a little line off BEFORE I make that first cast to make sure the drag is free. If everything is set right and your reel has a smooth drag, you shouldn't need to strip line while fighting the fish.

light line.. he needs to give the fish a little, in order to keep enough drag set to pull the fish in. a violent run will pop the line, that why he helps the fish pull out line... if he just loosened his drag, he wouldnt have much control at all of the fish. 4-8# line doesnt have a lot of shock strength.

Your just doing it before the fish and he is doing after the fish. Makes no difference. You have one HABIT and he as another. Doesn't matter how the drag is set your both testing your drag.

He's just giving the fish some slack on light line plus it adds drama for the camera which is Ike's specialty

I'm not going to question it... Seems he has won a few more dollars in his days bass fishing than I have so maybe I need to start doing it... Just saying

Watch Ike's fish when he is doing this? Yes, he is using lighter line, naturally, on a spinning outfit. But if you'll notice his fish is not jumping, it is swimming. The less pressure you put on a fish, you have just set the hook on, the less it is likely to jump. You'll notice as he is bringing the fish to the boat it does not jump out away from the boat but only right as he is trying to grab it and cradle it into the boat.

The more pressure on the fish, the more it is going to resist!

Had a guy teach me that a long time ago when playing big fish on lighter tackle. Or even a monster on heavier tackle.

Works for Ike!!!