I set my spinning drags 1/4 breaking strength of line (read that out of a Trilene brochure as a kid) and conventional up at about 1/3. I have a 100 lb scale at home for setting up compound bows.
I use a small hand scale for my freshwater stuff. Larger stuff I use the bow scale. Its annoying to be backing your drags off and back on when you fish.
Two yrs ago I hooked a nice fish in a bay - using 10 lb mono I straighted the hooks on my Yo-zuri mini mag minnow (thats a mouthfull huh?!).
I was PO'ed. I wouldn't have thought I could do that but I was trying to slow the fish down from spooling me. I since changed to 4X hooks and larger capacity spool reel.
I was talking to a reputable CA offshore outfitter and he told me he sets 1/3 for spinning and may be he knows something I don't know.
You gotta hurt the fish early or you are doomed !
I set my drags much less than I am suppose to fishing braid in spinners. If you set it like you are suppose to I can see you breaking the rod or if not you will be tearing the hooks out of the fishs mouth.
JPowers - I've heard of your gorilla jiggin techniques from MAC/NewellGuy & Stroth.
I gotta see you some time w/ a large on.