HX - Kind of unhappy - let's talk straight

[WAR]

Okay, I have a few Avets; MXJ, MXJ 2 speed, JX 2 speed, and now the HX 2 speed. I've done the research online..... but that research doesn't matter if I have one in hand. A lot of research and I'm a little confused.

Let's examine my HX 2 Speed (used 1 boat ride, 1 yellowfin, 1- 40 lbs Wahoo).
I've looked at most blogs including Alan Tani's blog.

Look, My reel starts shutting down on the retrieve in High gear at 16-18 lbs of STRIKE. Basically it starts getting nasty... at 22 lbs forget about it.... I would get tired. BUT if in LOW gear things are some what ok(?).


SO when you guys say 22 lbs of drag, are we talking Low gear or Hi gear?
What are we really talking about with the HX?

I got 16-17lbs of drag before the reel starts to bog......
On 60lbs...........
Should I be worried with the big tunas..... at 16-17lbs of drag? In reality. 22lbs is not happening on (my) this reel.

[Old&In The Way]

High or low gear, doesn't affect the drag. I think the HX is a reel designed for 60# line, not 100# line. I would think 20# at strike is near the limit, if you need more, move the lever to full, and then back to strike, and so on. The HX was a jig reel, with a fast retrieve speed, if you need a reel that is small, but strong enough for big tuna, a Pro EX 30/02 narrow, would be the reel you want. If you need a HX capable of fishing 100# line, the Raptor version will be out in November.

[WAR]

Thanks for the thoughts.
I appreciate it.


I'm going to keep working on this reel, I'm not giving up yet...

[Old&In The Way]

I've had 6 HX reels so far, and they've all been pretty close, they work best setting the drag at 15# at strike, 32# at full. If they ever make a HXJ Raptor, I'll get one. I won't use it for 80-100# line, just 50-60# line

[Ibseeker]

How are you setting the drag on the HX?

The line should come straight off the reel, with or without a rod. Don't pull on the drag scale using a rod, this will give an inaccurate drag setting.

I found this out when setting the drag on my MXL 6/4 at 9#. The reel wouldn't free spool and the drag became very touchy, one click or two either way and the drag changed dramatically.

It's also a much easier process than pulling through a rod.

[Double Z]

Originally Posted by Ibseeker

How are you setting the drag on the HX?

The line should come straight off the reel, with or without a rod. Don't pull on the drag scale using a rod, this will give an inaccurate drag setting.

I found this out when setting the drag on my MXL 6/4 at 9#. The reel wouldn't free spool and the drag became very touchy, one click or two either way and the drag changed dramatically.

It's also a much easier process than pulling through a rod.

So yer not going to set the drag how you fish? Huh.

[Old&In The Way]

Put the reel on your rod, tie it to the ring on your scale, and pull on the rod "hard", several times, horizontal to verticle, as in fighting a fish. Thats how to get an accurate reading. Use a calibrated scale. Adjust your scale so that it will lift a 10# weight off the floor, and read 10# on the scale. Make sure to hook the scale on something solid, like a work bench. If you pull straight off the reel you'll get a false "low" reading. Fish don't pull straight and slow, they pull in bursts.

[jpfilippi]

test your drag ? put the reel on the rod, line the rod, put your hook on, put rod in a holder, attach the digital scale to the hook, pull......... then read, adjust pull read. you've just tested all your connections too as if you were fishing, just remember as the line goes out the drag will go up some, not alot but some.

[wahoodad]

I don't have a clue why on earth you would want to set a drag on straight pull and then fish it on a bent rod.
Put the reel on the rod, line through the guides, bend the rod like you are fighting the fish. It is imperative to know the pressure at the hook, not at the reel.

[MARKEY220]

i totally agree with wahoodad,the line must feed through the guides,just like when fishin.it would be foolish,{no offense} setting the drag without doin this thats a good way to get broken off.since there is some friction when the line is running through the guides,even roller-type guides

[Locke N Load]

How much of a difference do people notice between pulling straight off the spool and through the guides of a bent rod? I found the following:
MXL5.8 - Straight=9 at Strike and 17 at Full and Through guides was 11 and 22
LX4.6 - 15 and 22 then 21 and 30
both rods are 7' with Fuji SiC guides. Tested by tying line to a bucket with dumbells in it and lifting like I was fighting a fish.
We are talking a 20-25% difference for me. I guess that is significant.

[Double Z]

Oh, and DON'T use a hook when testing your drag. It's a great way to lose an eye.