On 1 Nov 2004 09:24:02 -0800, (John) wrote:

"Marcel" wrote in message ...
I read somewhere that certain experienced anglers set to 'free spool'
when there is a hard run from the fish. This mystifies me because
doesn't doing this only lose your precious line?

I would never free spool the reel when hooked up on a big fish. First
off, if you back lash the reel, the fish is gone. Second, the more
line on the spool, without over filling the spool, the more of a
mechanical advantage you have.
[snipped]

If you are using the term to describe leverage, the less full the spool the
higher the "mechanical advantage"...