Adjusting the Drag on a Penn 105 Reel

Fishing Reel image by Christopher Meder from Fotolia.com

The Penn 105 fishing reel is a spinning reel designed for small- to mid-sized sport fish species such as perch, walleye, bass and crappie. The 105 has stainless steel bearings for the spool spin, stainless steel and plastic handles and an aluminum unibody spool where the fishing line threads and is brought in or cast out. The fishing reel has a drag function, used to increase or decrease line tension when a fish strikes and fights.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Spin the Drag

Things You’ll Need:

Penn 105 Reel
Fishing pole with line and tackle

Step 1

Locate the cross-shaped, black drag mechanism on the top of the spinning reel. Turn the drag mechanism clockwise until the tension will not allow any further turning. The drag is now at the tightest setting. Use this setting as a reference for releasing and setting.

Step 2

Grab the fishing line using your forefinger just beneath the first fishing line guide (the metal circles attached to the reel where the fishing line is threaded). Pull on the line with your forefinger. Check that no line can be pulled off the spool manually. If no line goes out, the drag is set.

Step 3

Turn the drag mechanism counterclockwise one to two turns to loosen the drag to your preference. Continue to test the line with your forefinger. Once you can pull line off the spool, the drag is in the fishing position.

Step 4

Cast the line out using the reel's casting bail (push into the back position, releasing the fishing line from the spool). Push the casting bail forward when you complete the cast. Wait for a fish strike. Turn the drag mechanism counterclockwise upon a fish strike. Let the fish take out line as it fights. Begin to turn the drag clockwise as the fish tires and start reeling it in using the handle and spool on the fishing reel.

Tips & Warnings

Practice setting the drag prior to casting for fish to prevent broken fishing lines or snags.

Article Written By Eric Cedric

A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.

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