How much drag is enough

[Rockfish9]

Most people use WAY too much drag.. most SHOULD know better...... consequently, they break tackle, straighten hooks and loose fish.. especialy at the surfs edge or at the boat where there is no cusion from the rod or line stretch... which in the case of braid, would be your shock leader .. after all.. that is why it is there ( or should be)... 1/4 the breaking strength of the weakest link ( usualy.. not always the leader) is plenty.... if you need more...apply the palm of your hand or your index finger( thumb on a conventional)... more big fish are lost each year because the drag was too tight or the angler panicked and tightened the drag than any other reason.. it's a fact... be more concerned with line capacity... Penn GTI series are great live line reels... and they are durable.. light and inexpensive... I've been pounding mine for about 10 years now and have yet to repalce a single part.... I prefer the lever drags... because i can set them up as a live line reel with the exact amount of resistance i want, yet set them to strike without worrying about changing my max drag setting...