Yes, you saw it right, it indeed was a loose release force!
Why loosen the release force? Shouldn't the first reaction of an angler with a wheeled rod upon catching a fish be to tighten the release force to control the fish?
There is a common misconception among ordinary anglers here.
Release force is a double-edged sword. Adjusting it tighter can, when facing small-to-medium-sized fish, increase the resistance to the line coming out, making it easier to exhaust the prey's strength and quickly end the battle.
However, adjusting it looser isn't completely without merit, especially when facing fish that exceed the rod, line, and hook's limit of resistance. Loosening the release force a bit at the first moment when hooking a big fish can ensure the hook doesn't get pulled out. It allows for making full use of the line in the spool to intelligently and bravely duel with the big fish.
