You want to position the boat downstream of the fish at all times, further away if it goes deep, to work your line angles.

Keep the boat in gear, especially when you get the fish close, they're more dangerous when the boat is stationary.

Check out 'Between the Lines' on Peter Pakula's website.

It is a free web based book that contains answers to all the questions you've just asked

For small blacks/sails, when the initial strike comes keep the boat going at same speed or even increase a knot or 2 (depends on how solid the strike is) to set the hook better (also depends a bit on where you run your drag)  This also helps you get the fish clear of other lures to avoid tangles, you will have plenty of line so dont stress too much, you can get it back (unless its a big fish, which you will know about straight away)  Just keep the tension on at all times, especially during jumps (good skippering helps with this, especially if the fish is coming at the boat.)  If its a smallish fish, the angler should be able to do most of the work himself.  When grabbing the bill, keep the boat in slow foward which makes it easy for them to swim along side and much less risk of jumping into your head.

Remember to take your time, theres no hurry, your not in a race or a competition, just chill, enjoy and take it easy.  Other thing is, just remember to swim him for quite some time before release (he will start biting down on your hand when getting life back).

 Helpfull info there thanks guys! Done some reading on the pakula site too, seem's like there is a lot of importance to driving the boat and not just fighting the fish with the rod and reel. My better half is going to be skippering while I fight the fish, I hope she can handle me yelling orders and directions at her haha.

I had a two hour fight with a large Billie last year and Jesse was driving the boat.he is 15 .Mate he was knackered after two hours on the gears..but in saying that he did a awesome job in some average conditions. As Adam says no rush take your time and keep the boat moving.

sharp hooks, and sharpen after every hit, also check leader after every hit as well in case it was a wahoo and nicked your leader under the skirt.

try to drop back if you get a fussy one, if it has mouthed it a few times and you see it, free spool lure back and quite often it will take it and turn - this takes a bit of practice but can work really well on those slow days.

Dont be scared to run lures closish to the boat, I would run 3, shotgun is always worth having - make sure it is a pink soft grassy.

Also if you dont have one make sure you get a medium richter zulu in lumo. This lure has caught at least 50% of all our billies, yellowfin and wahoo. Don't know why but I know it is one of Bernie (from mahimahi) favourites so figure he is the best up there and its his backyard.

 Cheers for the tips, Im gonna try my best to stay calm and take my time but as soon as that ratchet goes off everything seems to go out the window haha. 

Yeah simon I seen you mention the Zulu in another thread, already got one in the bag of goodies!

Thanks guys!

if there is only two of you then don't run anything more than the two combo's and 1 teaser, let the fish run and make sure it's hooked then you are either gonna have to get the mrs to clear the other rod and teaser or you put it back in the holder and clear the decks, very challenging with no one on the deck to assist. Best of luck mate there is no better felling when a billie swims off after capture.