Is it safe to adjust drag while hooked?

[Tarponjim]

No problems if you adjust in small increments. Know your line's breaking strength. If you over-adjust, you could break off or tear out the hook. If you go too loose, the hook could come out due to lack of pressure. Be careful not to lose the fish while you're fiddling with the drag. That's the biggest risk. Loss of focus on what you're doing. You can also learn to control the drag some with your free hand. I often hold the spool with my hand to "tighten" the drag when I want to slow down a run. Again, know your breaking strength, and when you can apply pressure. There are times in a fight to apply pressure, and times when you let the fish go. You're definitely not committed to one drag setting once a fish is hooked.
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