A big striper fighting like a doormat! Well I never encountered a large fish
over 40#'s that didn't smoke 80+ yds. of line. Even when using 50# class
tackle. Of course it depends on the water depth, the amount of current, the
direction of the current, etc. Sometimes at an inlet on an incoming tide the
fish will buck the tide to leave the area he perceives as dangerous. This
naturally greatly diminishes the battle.
I remember many mornings on the Canal meeting another fisherman muttering
to himself with a blank stare in his eyes and no line on his Squidder! Those
fish ran a bit.
On several occasions I've made the hundred yard dash through the slippery
rocks to keep from being stripped. This was using a heavy conventional rod,
a Penn Squidder and 30 - 40# test line.