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proper clicker uses

28K views 18 replies 19 participants last post by  Ken Drifter  
#1 Ā·
I was reading on a different fourm on how you use your clicker!
Heres some of the debate

. The reason for the clicker is to use as a signal when a fish starts pulling line from an unattended outfit. You either take the reel completely out of gear, or you leave the reel in gear with the drag set normally. (This is for saltwater conventional and trolling reels.)

The first instance is for when fishing for smaller fish -- you put the rod in a holder, turn on the clicker, and take the reel out of gear. The main reason for the clicker here is to prevent line from running freely out and backlashing. When a fish starts pulling out line, you pick the rod out of the holder, put it in gear, turn off the clicker, and start bringing the fish in. If you have to hurriedly reset the drag at this point, it's likely you won't get it set right, and it may cost you the fish.

The second is when trolling offshore. When a tuna or other large fish hits a jig dragged behind a boat running at 8-10 knots, it's going to immediately start pulling line even against a heavy drag. If you don't notice the hookup and get the boat stopped, even just a 40 pound fish can empty a reel full of 80 pound line set at 25 pounds of drag in a couple of minutes. The clicker (a buzzer in this case) is a signal.

NO! The drag is set so that line can be pulled off by the fish without breakilg. The clicker stops the crank handle from turning in the reverse direction


No.. when your bait clicker goes off you should be ready to grab it and go, not mess with tightening drag. adjust the drag accordingly while you are battling the fish.



what do you think?:excited:
 
#2 Ā·
I rarely use the clicker as a brake, as described in your first scenario. I don't do alot of fishing where I will leave the reel disengaged and unattended. Sturgeon or catfish fishing is the only real example I can think of using this for. If you think a clicker will prevent a backlash, it isn't always true, especially with some of our speedier quarry.

I use the clicker on the troll for pelagics, but shut it off as soon as the rod is picked up.
 
#3 Ā·
For tuna, clicker engaged, drag disengaged while fishing multiple bait rods. Once the fish picks up the bait and starts to run, you know to get to that rod, then after enough time, engage the drag.

2 or 3 guys jigging, casting, and fishing live and dead bait means multiple unattended rods at once.

3 guys fishing 8 or 9 rods is a tourney team requirement:D.
 
#17 Ā·
Ah yes--love that one. We welcomed a young marine home in June with a tough fight with a bucket...let's say the battle left him drenched!--I think the pic of he and the bucket (and a nice ahi he reeled) ended up on B-decks! :D
 
#15 Ā·
I'm no newbie, but I leave the clicker on when I'm fighting salmon and steelhead. Love the sound of a screemin' reel!:meme:
I do roll my eyes, however, when guys are reeling in their gear (with no fish on) with the clicker on.
I work on fishing reels and I see lots of damage due to people fighting fish with the clicker engaged.

The clicker simply shouldn't function when the reel handle is being rotated:doh:
Like the discontinued Avet EX 4/0.
 
#7 Ā·
Most of us use lever drag reels for trolling and the chance of not setting the drag correctly is zero. For salmon, trolling herring, in the river, I have the drag set just tight enough so line doesn't come off the reel and if there is the rare occasion the rod is in the rod holder and not my hand, the clicker is on. For ocean salmon, the rod is usually in the rod holder with the drag set a bit tighter and the clicker on. Any time the rod is in my hand, the clicker is off unless I'm using live bait and the drag is disengaged.
 
#8 Ā·
if 30#tasty fish is on the boat, you get used to hearing that clicker screeching. As he puts it, "dude, that's the best part!"

It gets on the nerves, for sure, but it just comes with having the guy on the boat. It kinda works along with the mildly blasphemous songs he's singing at the same time.

aw
 
#9 Ā·
I like for people who aren't used to fishing too much or kids to leave the clicker on. Makes it easier to tell if they are making progress, losing the battle, or whatever if I am still driving the boat, fishing, or just eating a sandwich. Like it for live bait-clicker on, drag disengaged too:twocents:
 
#10 Ā·
Certainly for trolling with the rod in a holder its a must ...
But when the action is slow drifting for halibut and the boat is bouncin in the swells ...
I start nodding off pretty regular and the clicker really works for an alarm clock
to let ya know that 16/0 circle has done its job and hooked another nice flattie for ya...:)
 
#11 Ā·
I'm with Nalu. Cast the livey, make sure it's swimming well, put the clicker on, set rod in the holder (never engaged the reel), grab the iron. See which one gets hit first :)

2nd function is an alarm clock when trolling.

I can't stand it when someone fights a fish with the clicker on. The clicker simply shouldn't function when the reel handle is being rotated:doh:
 
#12 Ā·
A good tip when trolling, especially when having "newer" guys put lures out (but important for ANYONE) is to have the clicker engaged when setting the lines.

Best way to be 100% sure youve got all your clickers on when trolling! Not fun to look over and have 3/4 of a spool of line out and more peeling off while the boat goes one way and a fish the other...
 
#13 Ā·
Another benefit is when you're fishing guys that are not too experienced or hearing impaired they can't tell when the fish is taking drag or not. Without the clicker they're just cranking away against the drag even while the fish is ripping off line. Of course there are those that are so deaf or excited they're gonna crank the handle off anyway.
 
#16 Ā·
The clicker is known as the "Snooze Button" in our boat.

Orion