What does a clutch do ?

by dickyp Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:20 am

Reading an article in the new Sea Angler mag, it refers to setting the clutch right on a spool. Could someone explain what they mean please

dickyp

by kingcrab Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:18 am

there are two types of clutch mechanism firstly on a fixed spool reel on top of the spool the the retaining type nut which you tighten down to hold your spool in place doubles up as the clutch basically you loosen this off so that on the occassion you hook into a decent fish it will be able to take line without it breaking you . just give it a quarter turn till you can pull line off under pressure its a matter of trial and error till it feels right . too slack and when you reel in the spool will turn letting off line , too tight when you hook a decent fish and it makes a dive your rod tip will go down before the line comes off the spool a quick adjustment is then required before the fish breaks you off .on a multiplier reel the clutch is the star drag under the handle the same principle applies . but more often than not when fishing from the beach the use of the clutch is not required unless you know that larger species are present such as conger, big cod ,bass and rays . i always fish with the spool locked up and then give adjustment as and when required ,using mono line at distances of 60 /70 yds will give a lot of stretch in the line only when the fish gets close to shore will i use the clutch if required ,however if you where fishing off a boat over a wreck then you will need to set the clutch from the off due to the larger fish diving back down trying to get back in the wreck ,were if you hadnt got it set the fish would either break you or the hook would pull out , hopes this helps in some way regards andy