A small fish can be brought in rapidly, but NEVER attempt to hurl him from the water with your rod. Applying too much rod pressure is a good way to get a broken leader, or line, or to pull out hooks. Having said that, don't go to the other extreme and coddle a fish for fear of losing it. Don't let the fish do what it wants, you should be in control at all times.

In playing a really tough, heavy fish with a bait casting outfit, place the butt of the rod into your stomach, maybe hooking it under your belt, and pump and reel. Pumping and reeling is the most practical (and natural) method for fighting strong fish, regardless of tackle used. To pump a fish, lower your rod tip, reeling fast at the same time to keep a tight line, then raise the rod tip smoothly. Repeat this until the fish is coming your way.

The slow, steady rod lift allows you to exert maximum force without the risk of breaking line or leader. Never attempt to handle a good fish by steady reeling; it doesn't fully utilize the rod's action, and reeling alone will wear you down, and prolong the action unnecessarily.

With bait casting tackle, you can apply drag by pressing down on the reel spool with your thumb as you retrieve. However, when the "big one" hits and extra drag is needed, use both thumbs. Make sure you don't apply too much pressure. Allow the fish some freedom to run or you may lose it because of line breakage, or a burned thumb. In playing most fish with casting tackle, a good plan is to hold the rod away from the body. Towards the end of the fight, when the fish is coming your way, place the butt of the rod against your stomach to reel and pump. If the fish runs again, quickly extend your arms so that the rod can take the strain.

Some of the free-spooling bait casting reels are equipped with star drags. These drags let you quickly master such big fresh water fish as walleyes, lake trout, muskies, northern pike, as well as some salt water species, without burning your thumb.

With a spinning, or a push button reel, the drag is usually adjusted at a point just below the breaking strain of the line or leader. Allowing the fish to run against the tension of the reel. The butt of the rod is placed under your belt, and you should use both hands to hold the ther rod when the fish is making his run. There will be times though, that the drag will need to be adjusted while the fish is being played. In the case of a large trout or salmon for example, running strongly in the current, you will need a minimum of drag. If the fish is in shallow water, nearly played out and ready to be pumped, you may bring the drag up to maximum. Adjustments like these become automatic after some experience.

Remember these points, and practice, and play about with them until they suit your individual style, and you'll soon be improving your catches.