BARRA TACTICS (Drag Pressure)

[NAGG]

Hi Barra Enthusiasts

One debate that I have seen raised every now & then ....... Is how much drag pressure should be applied during a fight with a impoundment barra! ....... Big ones

Often you hear about the need to apply as much drag pressure as possible & the notion that more drag pressure - the better ...... which then means stronger hooks , leaders , better knots , rods & reels

Having fished for these beauties several times now ....... & seen the results of what happens when you go hard or soft - - - it would be good to hear what you guys & girls do / believe..... & why

Over to you

Nagg

[Barraboss]

Chris,

This is just an open opinion from what I have experienced, of which I will be happily corrected so I too can learn....

It does depend on the location fished. Barra do fight harder (IMO) when using heavier drag, but this is required in some places. Those places/structure that require such, are often places that I will "ëncourage" a fish to jump to keep them out of submerged snags (IMO). Then you need to back of to next to no drag (free spool) to get around obstacles. You really need to judge each scenario as it plays before you. Open areas do not need the same drag setting, but then you have the worry of abrasion on the leader. I wait for a jump or see what the fish does (you can tell where they are hooked from the run a lot of the times) and see where the fish is hooked before I back of sometimes. Like I said, it can vary (again IMO) but thats's what fishing is all about, adjusting to the current situation as no two days are alike

Hope this adds a little piece to the massive puzzle of impoundment barra fishing

Cheers
Matt

All just from some of my

[Awoonga]

Chris,

This is just an open opinion from what I have experienced, of which I will be happily corrected so I too can learn....

It does depend on the location fished. Barra do fight harder (IMO) when using heavier drag, but this is required in some places. Those places/structure that require such, are often places that I will "ëncourage" a fish to jump to keep them out of submerged snags (IMO). Then you need to back of to next to no drag (free spool) to get around obstacles. You really need to judge each scenario as it plays before you. Open areas do not need the same drag setting, but then you have the worry of abrasion on the leader. I wait for a jump or see what the fish does (you can tell where they are hooked from the run a lot of the times) and see where the fish is hooked before I back of sometimes. Like I said, it can vary (again IMO) but thats's what fishing is all about, adjusting to the current situation as no two days are alike

Hope this adds a little piece to the massive puzzle of impoundment barra fishing

Cheers
Matt

All just from some of my

Matt one switched on fisho...reply spot on

[NAGG]

Thanks Matt

as always a valued opinion

Now ...... are drag pressures & rod angles getting crossed here ? ..... or do they go hand in hand

We didn't even mention whether we are using a soft plastic or a treble loaded hard body - Thats my spanner (in the works)

are we better off with lower drag pressures...... & using our boat / leccy .... to chase a fish down ......... regardless of whether we are in the timber or not Keeping in mind that the abrasion (mouth ) is greater with more pressure.

Also ..... do we know what is below the surface ???

Watching where the lure is pinned ....... is a really important piece of the observation during a fight ........ Thanks Matt

Chris

[mylestom]

Thanks Matt

as always a valued opinion

Now ...... are drag pressures & rod angles getting crossed here ? ..... or do they go hand in hand

We didn't even mention whether we are using a soft plastic or a treble loaded hard body - Thats my spanner (in the works)

are we better off with lower drag pressures...... & using our boat / leccy .... to chase a fish down ......... regardless of whether we are in the timber or not Keeping in mind that the abrasion (mouth ) is greater with more pressure.

Also ..... do we know what is below the surface ???

Watching where the lure is pinned ....... is a really important piece of the observation during a fight ........ Thanks Matt

Chris

Chris,

Different horses, different courses.

Depends on lots of factors and the ability of the angler and the territory, hookup, hard or soft, jumping,deep and all the different possibilities. How long is a piece of string.

First hook the fish, then work through what is happening and where you are.

No set criteria, but just experience.

Next Question: When will we work them out?

Think my old Pa summed it up. The day you stop learning is the day you die.

Good thread and as always, just to get them thinking. Keep it up.

Regards


Trev

[NAGG]

Experience ..... different horses for corses etc etc etc ....... sure! ( but very cliche)

You are about to make a cast into virgin territory ......... Yes there is some timber around that you can see ............ you've tied on a slick rig - - - WHAT TO DO NOW ?

Sure ........ The better fishoes will back the drag off once a fish is lead into the open or free of known danger .......... but what about the average Joe

.......... Ive seen leaders worn through on tight drags ( open area or timbered) . I've seen hooks straightened in timbered areas ....... prolonged fights could lead to worn membrane in a barras mouth ...... the failures go on ! - Go hard or go soft ......... 50lb braid cranked up or 30lb backed off


Hmmmm .... has to have you thinkin

Nagg

[mylestom]

Experience ..... different horses for corses etc etc etc ....... sure! ( but very cliche)

You are about to make a cast into virgin territory ......... Yes there is some timber around that you can see ............ you've tied on a slick rig - - - WHAT TO DO NOW ?

Sure ........ The better fishoes will back the drag off once a fish is lead into the open or free of danger .......... but what about the average Joe

.......... Ive seen leaders worn through on tight drags ( open area or timbered) . I've seen hooks straightened in timbered areas ....... prolonged fights could lead to worn membrane in a barras mouth ...... the failures go on ! - Go hard or go soft ......... 50lb braid cranked up or 30lb backed off


Hmmmm .... has to have you thinkin

Nagg

Nagg,



Observing, listening and being prepared to change, think that has a lot to do with it.

Me, just a learner and been fishing for barra for over thirty years.

Don't have a lot of answers, but willing to listen and learn.

A lot of the new is old and again experience/knowledge from some of the people who have been doing it for along time will help us all. Its great to fish with a lot of different people and different situations, then to try and transfer that experience to what is going on in front of you.

Only as good as to what we have been shown, observed and then transferred to a current situation. Thats what Ausfish and friends are about.

We all wish we knew it all, but think then we might lose interest?

Would be very interested to see a response from someone like J.E. who have that necessary life experience to give a valued opinion on drag settings.

Good thread

Trev

[NAGG]

Trev ...... As you've cottoned onto . . > This thread is meant to promote thought & share personal experience

I consider myself to be a competent light line fishoe ...... which keeps me in good stead for many fishing situations ( patience being a virtue) ......... - - - - Barra however offer a different mindset all again ......... which could be go too hard = gone ....... or ...... too soft = gone

eliminating tackle failures is usually the prime focus ........ but what about our fighting tactics

Chris

[Dick Pasfield]

Situation dependent but................... I fish my currently used rods spooled with 30lb line at between three and five kgs on drag pressure, the upper setting in tighter situations. Reckon I've dialed up seven to ten in more dire situations but only for as short a time as possible.

The the 20lb rig feels like its working best at between 2 and 3kgs of drag.

There's a 'sweet spot' drag setting for all rod and reel combos, (probably a lot would fit into above kg ranges). As those settings also suit me I build off that as a base. Lures get a bit of a tweak up if the hooks are a bit suss, some end up with singles for the hard work. Leader size might get upgraded and the drag gets a fiddle with.

When you're fishing comfortably and the gear is suited to its designed purpose it all goes together really well when the fishing is par. When something bigger than normal comes along you're much better placed at handling it by working within your own limits.



PS talking about river barra not impoundment fish if there's a difference?

Notable exceptions with barra include when they're head butting lures instead of swallowing them. Bearing in mind only one point of a treble is often the only link between fish and you, drag settings need to be applied carefully, nothing beats a thumb to override a fairly sedate setting off the reel

I reckon one of the reasons I loose cheek hooked fish is because of how careful you have to be with them. With less pressure on the fish than what feels right things like head shakes and lunges are harder to control.

[Steve B]

Trev ...... As you've cottoned onto . . > This thread is meant to promote thought & share personal experience

I consider myself to be a competent light line fishoe ...... which keeps me in good stead for many fishing situations ( patience being a virtue) ......... - - - - Barra however offer a different mindset all again ......... which could be go too hard = gone ....... or ...... too soft = gone

eliminating tackle failures is usually the prime focus ........ but what about our fighting tactics

Chris

Barra fishing is no different from light line fishing!! patience is a virtue. 30lb is light line to a big barra in certain situations. You said 'back it of when open or free of danger" ....I work the opposite. I back it off while the fish is in danger country and early in the fight.....why....THATS WHEN THEY ARE MOST POWERFUL....Barra are generally unfit. let them have their fun and run without pressurising your gear or something has to give. when they tire and have been manouvered into open water...then I can apply some hurt, only if nessessary............One major thing I have notices when I have a fish in a bad bad position around a tree or something......freespool....the fish just sit there...particulary after a bit of a fight. This gives you the extra seconds required to assess the situation, manouver the boat...whatever is required.

I live by the rule ...harder you fish them the harder they fight....the harder they fight...the harder it is to stay connected and the easier it is for gear to fail or hooks to pull. They are not a deliberate dirty fighter IMHO..I think they just run all over the shop with no rhyme or reason...Mondy barra that is........Awoonga...they may just be a bit smarter.

Trev (mylestrom) and Matt summed things up....every situation is different...plenty of ways to skin a cat...which knife to skin it with depends on the cat on the day

Again, just my opinion and personal tactic....I figured you know what I do anyway Chris!!! but its a great topic.

cheers steve

[eotbmg]

Hey guys
Just my 2 cents worth. Bear in mind i fish with 78 lb jigman braid
When setting my drag pressures i look at the structure available to the fish above water[ therefore similar under water] and tighten it accordingly... I generally set my drags lighter than my fishing partners [ navi sets a 20% heavier drag than me] but still at a level which i think my fishing ability can handle and control a big fish through structure. I am always on the ball to chase fish with quick release ties around trees and bow mount or petrol motor at the ready. When i first fished Monduran [ June 2006] i researched this topic and the general train of thought was to fish tight and tighter drag settings which led to 3 bust offs on the first day, all from that awesome jolting strike that now contributes to the bad IBD dose i have. The next session i backed the drag off and started to land fish and i have never looked back. This was in serious timber structure in Monduran, and i tought myself the lesson that sometimes lighter is better. Joshs 123cm Barra took him 50 - 60 meters around structure on a Zillion and 30 lb braid in some gnarly timber but through quick communication between us we had the boat at the right position and i could keep him out of trouble. Now Awoonga, i fish a general lighter drag cos i have always fished around the weed edges, and havent been rubbed off on any strucure yet!!!! I am sure it will happen though........
Cheers
Ben

[NAGG]

Some good replies there guys ...... with varied tactics
Personally I'm moving away from screwed up drags ....... & pool cue rod blanks. Softer more forgiving rods but with the guts to turn a fish ...... & combined with drag pressures that wont over stress terminal tackle - Then each fish taken on merit.
During the Muster trip we got to apply this tact on several reasonably good fish ...... Where MW having softer ( less traditional ) barra outfits used patience, the leccy ...... & being well coached stayed connected & landed fish! ......... I used a combination of elephant gun & more refined tackle - - & I too had good results on the lighter gear !

Love this barra stuff

Chris

[Plasticin]

You are about to make a cast into virgin territory ......... Yes there is some timber around that you can see ............ you've tied on a slick rig - - - WHAT TO DO NOW ?

Nagg

Cut off the "slick pig" and tie something else on

[Jeremy87]

What is lite, medium and heavy settings? so far Dick is the only one to give us actual values. I normally run 3.5-4kgs of drag on 30lb braid. This is what i consider reasonably safe from pulling hooks out from a bad hook up. I know that my knots are good well past the braids stated breaking strain so i'm not worried about popping knots. If i am in timber then my thumb hits the spool the moment i feel the strike (i use the same tactic for jacks and sometimes bass as to go back to a safe drag all i have to do is take my thumb away instead of playing with the settings), i don't see any point letting them make it back if an extra kilo or two of pressure could have helped steer them into the open. When they make it back home then the reel goes into free spool until i'm in a position to fight them again. I'm more comfortable letting the leader rub on a stick than the braid, most of my brickings have occured when the barra has gone more than the leaders length in. An eletric motor is something that can help to compliment heavy drag. In stages of a fight where the barra is happy to come with you i thumb it and use the motor to gain distance from hazards while towing the barra. When the barra is at the boat i will sometimes back the drag off, not because i'm worried about pulling hooks but because if it's up hard and the fish decides to take off under the boat then bad things can happen faster than you can respond.

[Local_Guy]

i'm definately no expert, but i'll give my opinion.

most people use 50 - 80lb braid when working extremely tight submerged tree areas, higher breaking strain = higher drag setting. but this setting is really only used to skull drag the fish out and away from the insane snag structure he... or she is living in... the likes of impoundment barra where the average fish is around the 100cm mark or bigger. eg. Awoonga

people using 20lb braid setup are probably fishing in a more open environment, where you are still casting around snags, but there is more open water. More chance of a lot smaller fish being around, but still 20lb for when the bigger fish come around... eg of this.. Fitzroy River - Rockhampton.

In open dam impoundments i've seen people use 4lb mainline.

Leader is another issue. and i can only assume most people use 60lb Jankai/ Black Magic or equivelent. But a high abrasion resistant leader is a must.

just my opinion on this topic