Now I don't ever fish, at least not since that time when we were kids and my sister and I caught the same bluegill a dozen times each, but what I understand about it is that after you get a bite, you're supposed to jerk the line.

This is to "set the hook" and make sure that the fish doesn't get away.

Oh, I suppose you still have to worry about the occasional line break, but for the most part once the hook has been set, that fish isn't going anywhere.

The point that I wanted to make here, in keeping with my metaphorical bend, is that I'm already hooked, there's no need to keep jerking that line to make sure I'm still here.

Whether you view this as a catch and release situation or whether I'm going to be dinner, that doesn't really matter to me right now.

What does matter is that I took the bait and now I'm at your mercy.

Just stop jerking the line. It hurts, and it accomplishes nothing.