Fishing reel opening the face of the reel allowing the line to run off the side of the spool when released in the cast. The centrepin reel is historically and currently used for coarse fishing. Instead of a mechanical drag, the angler's thumb is typically used to control the fish. Fishing in the margins for carp or other heavy fish with relatively light tackle is very popular with a 'pin' and is often used for 'trotting' a method in which a float on the line suspends a bait a certain depth to flow with the current along the waterway. During the 1950s
Fish or cut bait have to go to work when they find that it is imperative that they either cut bait or fish" and from "School and Home", 1895, "The Eskimo is industrious, because nature compels him to 'fish, cut bait, or get out of the boat.'" These usages exemplify the "do something useful" interpretation of the phrase. Another interpretation is that it means you have to make a decision. You either have a fish, or you cut it up into bait to catch more fish. This means to make a decision. Take what you have (a fish) or lose it and decide to