Had it happen to me twice before. Once I was out fishing with Skip and I thought I had the mother of all Rock on, well Skip merely laughed as he knew what was goin on and finally convinced me to put the rod in the side gunnel and just start crankin'... Second time i was on my boat and same thing, noticed fish was spinning so I immediately saved time and enery and went straight to the gunnel holder. As to why they do it... beats me. whatever everone else is sayin sounds good to me!
