Should have worded it better.
Playing a fish. I generally dont play fish ON the reel. Unless it takes off and my line is gone, Ive had too many times where Im trying to reel up 30 or so feet of line. I have a large arbor as well, but I if I try to get the fish on the reel, then I end up losing it.
I found out the Sharkskin line I have is old stock! I got it last year, but its at least 5 years old due to no SA ID on it. Im told these have a lot more bite to them! I think Im gonna try the new Sharkwave line, it looks pretty cool. I had no idea it existed. I guess this is why my 4 weight cuttie setup with a sharkskin isn't so bad, it is the newer versions that have less texture and less bite.
Thanks for the feedback everyone.
Depending on how smooth your reel is (some like my sage 1880 have no retrieve resistance) just hold the line, take your index finger and hit your reel handle in the direction you reel. Its a very quick way to pick up line.