You could set it tighter a little more. I keep mine down tight, I hate hearing the zip sound when the hook is set. The only time I want to here zip is when I'm using 2# test line. With a loose drag your giving up the hook setting power of the rod. Tie your line to a solid object and back up some, let about 10-15 feet of line, now raise your rod sharpely like your setting the hook. Adjust the drag to your liking so that very little if any line comes off the reel. With 8# test it will take an awful lot to break it.