had it relatively loose (just enough so current would not take any line out) rex as I like the fish to be able to get a bit of a run to give it time to get that bait and time to grab my rod out of holder plus I suspect that the hooks that I was supplied are a bit small which could have allowe dht fish to spit the hook(suspect they are 4/0) when I got selected for the tackle test thing for the trokar hooks by kilwell, but what ever hit that line yesterday the strike was hard and fast enough to make me biff my cup of tea and biscuit with a big oh shit as the rod damn near went 90 degrees the missus heard the drag give a short scream and that woke her up lol.