Everything checked - other than my enthusiasm

Following my last post I've had two further trips to get my revenge. First trip on the following night tide and not a touch. However, conditions were not great, and I never received a touch all night. I've put it down to a lack of crab activity, as I assume over dead low the bass come in very close to feed on crabs -  a direct contrast to the previous night when they were out in force.

Second trip was last night leading into this morning. From the start the crabs were absent which didn't bode well. As an aside, what causes crab-activity? Clear water, low pressure, calm conditions? If anyone could let me know that would be great. Anyway, fished an hour before low and up to midnight, without so much as a sniff all night. 

Whilst packing up I found a hole in the groyne to wedge my rod butt into while putting the rest of my gear away. Just as I was about to take my jacket off in readiness for the long walk back, the baitrunner started to slowly release line. Quickly I made my way to the rod, picked it up and felt the line as the initial run had now stopped. It wasn't long before it was off again in the same leisurely manner. This time everything was in my favour, sharp hook, freelined bait, rod in the direction of the run, everything other than a check on my own excitement. I missed the run and felt the hook pull through the mackerel head.

I was gutted. Should I have let it run longer before setting the hook, or was it just an over enthusiastic schoolie unable to take half a mackerel? Who knows, but if I was a betting man I would say it was the same fished I lost last week.