Sounds like a great day fishing!
I am assuming you are in deep water.
More than likely, you are pulling yourself on top of the fish due to the lack of leverage and resistance. I use a small drift chute that I can deploy as soon as I hook up. If it is shallow enough, you could drop a 3lb ladie's barbell anchor instead.
If worse came to worse, I would also consider putting that rod in the rod holder and paddle away from the school and use the boat to tire him out quickly.
Hope this helps!
-Phil