When do you use a reel clamp?

I have always used a reel clamp when fishing 30# test and higher. For 20-25# test do you think a reel clamp is necessary? Thank you in advance for your advice. 

Scott

 Scott, I only use the clamps on my heavy sticks (pelagics) or on my seatless jig sticks, surf rods. Imho  the clamps are more bracing for heavier drag settings. On yaks over 12-13lbs is hard to handle, on a boat 20+ is normal.
 I have had reels loosen up on my tuna sticks. When you are harnessed or railing a fish in low gear there is a lot of pressure on the reel. I have had to replace broken reel handles.

I was wondering about this myself, here's my recent experience looking into it a bit:

I bought some used newells off ebay over the winter. 220, 235, 322, 338

the reel foot is short on those reels so I would use the rod clamp even with the smaller reels and lighter line.

since I got them used, I was missing a rod clamp.
charkbait has a bunch of aftermarket clamps and a story of how he saw a 4/0 penn reel fly off the rod during a demonstration of trolling techniques by ronnie kovac and friends when they did not use a clamp. in that case the reel foot bent.

It's clear to me that a clamp is going to really improve the attachment of the reel to the rod. no worries once you have a clamp on there.

I bought a couple of those nylon backbone clamps and then filed down the angles a bit so that they were comfy on a rod with an exposed blank and trigger. I'm happy with those and would recommend them if you are looking to get aftermarket clamps for your lighter setups.

Many clamps have a slot for the hook, so you can attach a rod leash there too.  so extra utility there.

I would be tempted to ziptie an ambassadeur to my rod if I was trolling somewhere where I might get larger fish but still wanted to go light tackle cause most of the fish are small.

John

If I have a clamp for the reel I use it.  Distrubiting the stress from (I hope) an unexpected big fish is always a good thing

I guess the higher the line comes off the reel (ie bigger diameter reels), the more the clamp becomes important because the pull of the line has more leverage, while the base of the reel is the same standard length.  Note that spinning reels (which are worse for leverage) have a wider base than conventional reels...  Generally if a reel comes with a clamp, I'll use it.

I doubt anyone would set their drag much higher than 14lb or so from the kayak, much past that the fish will pull the kayak rather than draw out the drag.  I do use heavier line than that would be appropriate for, but that's to get out of snags and to give myself lots of margin so I don't lose fish to line failures.

I doubt anyone would set their drag much higher than 14lb or so from the kayak, much past that the fish will pull the kayak rather than draw out the drag.  I do use heavier line than that would be appropriate for, but that's to get out of snags and to give myself lots of margin so I don't lose fish to line failures.

Ok, just to nitpick a little bit: The fish would NOT be pulling the kayak, if it were heading straight down. I've not fished for Yellowtail personally, but from everything I've heard, being able to put 15 lbs of drag against a good sized fish would be a very good thing.

Regards,
Scott

Scott.. you are right it wont pull the kayak straight down, but if you set the drag too high... It may just pull you straight down after having relieved you of your seat in said kayak! LOL

for those of you that have never been pulled by a fish while seated in a kayak, it is a rather unsettling feeling........