>>309666>I want the fish to have the opportunity to pull drag (or at least tug a bit)It probably would've helped to specify I adjust the drag on the fly as appropriate. I won't play a fish to exhaustion nor will I let a bluegill or a little bass fight for very long. Or let them pull out line though they might manage to get a foot or so before the drag is adjusted for the feel of their size.
A loose drag is just somewhat necessary for the light tackle I fish and what may bite it in the places I fish. That 3'ish pound bass above definitely related. Also pic related. Probably about 20" inches and three-quarters of it are just slabs of muscle running down each side. They get plenty bigger but even the medium sized ones can dart like hell and snap a line if the drag is too tight at the start. Also the occasional 18+ inch channel cats. Caught my first of those this year and was surprised at the fight since I'm used to big blues and flatheads which are like reeling in a tugboat (not much action, just muscle).
