Drag vs. Back reeling?!

[MTCOMMER]

I was just recently watching some videos where guys were catching big walleyes through the ice and they weren't using drag, instead, they were back reeling.
I always set my drag and adjust when needed, of course, some times I turn the knob the wrong way and set it too strong, and the fish break off.  Anyone back reel??
I always just hope I catch fish big enough to take drag, which is rare, so whats everyone else thoughts?

 :fishing2:

[Lee Borgersen]

I pretty much back reel most of the time with a relatively tight drag. I feel that I have better control with the even pressure. Let the rod do some of the work and it will telegraph when and how much pressure you can apply (that's if you have a decent rod ?). Here's one tip when you are depending on using the drag system only. When setting your drag properly always pull out your line from the tip of the rod to test the resistance tension . Lots of anglers get lazy and just pull the line directly from the reel. That's not where the actual pressure should be measured.

Always check your drag each and every time you hit the water. If in the middle of a battle you can always loosen your drag if you find it's to tight. Tightening a drag during a battle is a little late and has a risk factor involved. You can always apply a light friction to your spool with your finger if your loosing the battle because of a poorly set drag.


PS.I hate when folks keep reeling when you can hear the drag singing during a run. It just twists the line all to hell.

[Boar]

agreed,  I also prefer to use 10lb test 2lb diameter power pro, ya have to set the drag just right or you snap the line even on a small fish. pluse yu have to have a mono backing so it dont slip on ur reel, i can see the pros of back reeling but i have things down pretty good with making sure the drag is set proper, an lee is spot on, just dont pull straight out from the rod to test drag pul down insinuating a fish on.

[Lee Borgersen]

                 Speaking of back reeling  

When fishing with live bait, anchored, back trolling, or drifting I also implement back reeling before I even set the hook. I kind of look upon it as spoon-feeding the fish into a false sense confidence. As the fish grabs ahold of the bait and starts to move away slowly (in most cases) I'll back reel out the line at the exact pace of the fishes movement. I always keep my rod tip up but pointed in the direction that the fish is headed. As the fish picks up speed I'll lower my rod slowly and sweep him in an upward motion (not side arm if anchored). I always fish with my anti-reverse off until I set the hook. If you back reel the bait to him to fast it allows the sinker to drop and he'll feel that and drop the bait most times.  

[Boar]

good tip I bet that works well also for jigging instead of just droping the rod tip an letting him move away

[walkingstick3]

I set my drag to the point where my hook set is solid but does not risk line breakage. After the hook set I flip the switch and back real on any runs the fish makes.

[dakids]

Neither.  I use 20 pound test and just horse them in.  Those sunnies have no chance.  I use 80 pound Dacron on my walleye tackle and there is no need for anything.

I use both, light drag and add back reeling when they are near the hole.