I saw a show on Tarpon fishing one time, the native fisherman had his son on board, like 12 years old. They hooked up a huge tarpon which headed for some kind of jetty or bridge.
Rather than lose the fish and no more rods and reels, the guy had his son jump in the water and swim with the gear to get the line freed, while the boat came went around to the other side of the structure picked up the kid (still holding the rig) and continued to fight the fish.
They asked him if it was dangerous for his son and he said "YES, but I have 5 more sons at home, and I only have one rod and reel.
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