i never loosen my drag until i respool my line, then i reset it with a spring scale, off the end of the rod...
here's the idea, the rod multiplies the force and if you are using 12lb line and want your drag set at 10-11lbs, then pulling it straight off the reel at 10-11 lbs gets multiplied into 18-20 lbs over your rod and your 12 lb line breaks
i have a spring scale, i put the scale in my vice, then take a larger worm hook and hook it around the scale loop, with the line through the pole, i begin to pull up, just as if it were a fish, and start to tighten my drag until the scale reads 10-11 lbs, that is a safe number for 12 lb line, once you get a feel for it, it never hurts to check (hand in front of reel) while on the water
you can experiment and determine what you line actually breaks at, but be sure to completely respool in order to get the stretched line out, then turn the drag back to about 10% less than your break weight
like i said, i have never turned my drag down between fishing trips, but if any of you all know that it makes a significant difference, i would sure try it
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