I don't remember where I found this, but here is a upgrade for the 44bds.......
There are some tricks to the TX-44, and inlines in general. For all inlines, fighting a fish should have the rod pointed horizontally or into the water. Rod tip down, board nose up.....right up to the point that you lift the board out of the water. There is no pumping of inlines, just brute force shoulders down reeling. You actually are using the board for leverage against the fish.
Second tip (for the TX-44). You HAVE to put the pin on the bottom, and clip your line in the bottom slot. These boards are designed to be either port or starboard. In either case, you have to use the bottom slot for your line, and the pin must pull down towards the water.
Third tip on the TX-44. Take the weights out of the board, cut a slot in the foam which will allow you to double stack the weights slightly forward of center. Drill new holes in the bottom through the stacked pieces of lead, and screw the screws back into these stacked pieces. Your TX-44 will now pull 30 degrees further up the side of your boat then they previously did, and will pull much more effortlessly, and will be easier to retrieve.
If for some reason you have an inline board dive, stick the rod tip into the water and open the bail on the reel and slowly allow line to peel off the reel while thumbing it. The board will quickly pop back up to the surface. Re-engage the bail and start your retrieve again, with your rod tip pointed into the water.