>>2753506>>2753504>>27534980nce the bait is rigged, gently lower it until it comes to tension with the quick release pin. dropping or otherwise yanking or jerking on it could cause it to release prematurely. reel in the slack on your anchor rod until the rod bends deeply and the line sings in the wind, and freespool your fighting rod. manage backlash with one thumb while jiggling spine of the anchor rod to bounce and shake the fish out away from the pier. once its in the water, start fishing. you want the fish to be in the water, and the quick release to be well out of the water. dont put both under water, itll get tangled by the fish swimming around your anchor line.
turn your clicker on and go do something else waiting to hear *bloosh* *ziiiiiiiiiiiiiing* if you've got a bite you'll be well aware. dont staand right on top of it waiting for it to get eaten, but if you're 100 feet away you're probably a little bit too far away unless you've got someone to 'keep an eye on it' for you. that can get awkward if "who gets to reel it in" turns in to a disagreement though. either way landing the fish is a two man operation. one fights the fish, then another gaffs the fish. once the fish is gaffed, sometimes double-gaffed depending on size- it is pulled up to the pier where the gills and tail are sliced to bleed the fish. this is also a good time to brain it.
while you're waiting on blood to drain is a good time to reset your rig. depending on abundance of bait that could be anything from merely staging the leader and rod for bait with a fresh quick release, to fully baiting and re-setting the whole rig. the fish is usually processed on the pier, and i always offered some of the meat to whoever helped me gaff it- there was usually plenty to go around. put the meat in a cooler. also you'll want a cooler, something with wheels, and plenty of ice and water. beer, soda, snacks, and todays catch are also common things to find in coolers.
