If your by yourself don't worry about crankin in your ball...leave it....throw into neutral and concentrate on the fish. Yeah you've got a handicap with the cable but itsounds like your in a small boat so just clear the fish around the bow to keep it from fouling the cable...usually never a problem until you got it right at the boat. I'm probably not blackmouth fishing til March but if you want I'll give you a day on the water then.

Gooose