"carlos" wrote in message SNIP

Don't expect to keep a really big fish on if it grabs the bait at the side
of the boat and dives. No thumb in the world is quick enough to pop the
thumbar before the pressure is too great to do so. That's where hooks rip
out or tackle breaks.

I agree with Rob Storm on this one. There's plenty of thumbs fast enough in
the world, just ask any muskie fisherman. I don't know your definition of
a really big fish, but I typically catch 8 - 10 muskies a year that strike
at the side of the boat.

It's quite simple to stick the fish with a little sideways hookset and
follow the fish down with the rod, releasing the spool with either the thumb
bar or the side mounted button. This then allows the fish to get away from
the boat and you can fight it on a longer line. It doesn't take much to
release enough pressure to allow the reel to be put into freespool.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com