Live lining question

[Mariuch]

do you count to five when they first take the bunker with the reel screaming or when  the run off has stopped then count to five .

[Luna Sea 5]

the reason for the 5 second count is...

The striper will take the bunker on the side, run with it for a second then turn it and swallow the bunker head first....  so, the delay of the 5 second rule is to give the striper enough time to do this.. don't worry about what the line is doing.. let it scream for 5 seconds then set the hook.  If you come up empty, then wait another second or 2 longer on your next fish.