The interesting thing (in response to Mike T) was that the R&R of the fish
was longer and took more effort than bringing it in. I have caught one other cow in the past and it gave the same sluggish fight as this one.
I got a 28 incher the next night in the same place, same current that worked me much harder and longer than this one.
I've heard "wet newspaper" and "paper sack" used when referring to the way big stripers fight; it wasn't that bad, but it sure wasn't a down and dirty struggle right up to the boat like the 20" fish give you...
Of course when it wanted to go somewhere it went...