How do I Adjust Browning Fishing Reels?

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The Browning company produces a wide range sporting equipment including a line of reels that are suitable for use in both fresh and saltwater fishing situations. The line of spinning reels produced by Browning are designed to catch a variety of game fish from mountain trout to bass and in shore species. Proper adjusting a Browning reel is essential so that optimum control is provided when playing a hooked fish and to help prevent unnecessary break offs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Browning spinning reel with line and matched rod

Step 1

Turn the drag adjustment knob on the front of the spool to tighten or loosen the drag of the reel. Turn the knob clockwise to completely tighten the drag of the Browning spinning reel to begin the adjustment process.

Step 2

Attach a digital fish scale to the end of the line and hook the scale to an immovable object with a knot such as the Uni. Tie the Uni by feeding line through the handle of the scale or around the object. Pull the free end of the line back along side the main line, forming a double line. Turn the free end back to form a loop under the double line. Wrap the free end around the double line and through the loop three times and pull tight.

Step 3

Raise the rod tip to a 45-degree angle and pull on the line to apply tension to the scale. Apply gradual and steadily increasing tension to the scale.

Step 4

Determine the pound test line you are using. This information appears on the label on the side of the filler spool from which the line was spooled or in the original manufacturer's information provided when a reel was purchased.

Step 5

Pull on the line connected to the scale until 4 pounds, for example, reads on the display. Loosen the drag adjustment knob until the line begins to slip from the spool. For the purposes of this example, the drag will be set at 4 pounds or 25 percent of the line pound test.

Step 6

Remove the scale from the end of the line and attach a lure or hook of your choice to the end of the line with a secure knot.

Step 7

Adjust the drag control further while you are fishing by either tightening or loosening, depending on the fishing situation. Loosen the drag, for example, when playing a fish to allow line to unspool more easily from the reel.

Article Written By Keith Dooley

Keith Dooley has a degree in outdoor education and sports management. He has worked as an assistant athletic director, head coach and assistant coach in various sports including football, softball and golf. Dooley has worked for various websites in the past, contributing instructional articles on a wide variety of topics.

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