I never clear the lines, I thrive on chaos
this usually culminates into that other line draping over the line just ahead of the tip top as I wait for it get sucked in and wound onto the reel..........but so far that has never happened.
Always fight the fish on the left side and gaff with the left hand. Choke up on the rod with the right to get fish in range. YT I always try to lead em in a circle and stick em as they come from under the boat, head shot or the gill area, maybe belly if in a panic......same for the rare opportunity to stick a tuna. WSB, easy gaff usually belly to not put a big hole in the prime meat. halibut in the shoulder to hopefully stun them.