Tumicks, that method works just fine in smaller boats where the distance from the water to the top of the gunnel is reasonably short - Skiffs, row boats and most small lake boats. In the ocean the gunnels need to be much higher to handle the conditions of the sea. On my 30' boat, it is a long stretch to the water and I'm not a little guy - 6' 1". Picture bending at the waist, leaning over almost 90 degrees and trying to grab a bobbing dog collar.
This is my brother and CASSIE looking to see what he caught.