I haven't fished for salmon much, but up on the Keni when a fish slams the rod down the guy on the controls slams the gas down for about 2 seconds. By the time the person grabs the rod to set the hook the slack is taken out of the line and you get a good solid hookset. You have to be careful though, if the guy is up and running for a rod that is out the end of the boat, they have a tendicy to keep right on going when you hit the gas

Fishhead5