"Alright, alright don't go all stiff--" He goes upright, dropping his pole till it hits the side of the boat, completely forgetting his own efforts from being swept up in hers. "You gotta tire him out, baby girl. Let him have a second to breathe and then tug him in bit by bit."

One hand settles behind her on the bench, he's looming over her shoulder with the fingers of his free hand twitching just near the spool in an effort to keep from interfering with her score. Whatever excitement he feels, this is all on her: catch or no catch.