Take the lure off and simply let the line out behind the boat as you travel down the lake. Let as much line out as you can, and when you stop, wind it back on. Be sure to hold it taut while you wind it on. Another solution is to tie the end of your line to something, then walk away while letting the line out. Pull on the line when you get enough off, to stretch the line slightly and remove kinks. Cut the end of the line free before re-winding it back onto the reel. Don’t stretch the line too much or you will weaken it. Just put a little pressure on it.
Stop reeling if you are fighting a fish and the drag is going out. Reeling while the drag is going out will twist your line, and it is futile anyway. Use your hand on the spool to get control over the fish, or tighten the drag if you need to. The best way to set your drag is to use a scale and set it to 25% of the strength of the line. The scales are expensive, but some tackle shops have them. The pull and feel method works just fine for a fun-fisherman.
