About 5 or 6 years ago,while fishing for crappie with 4 lb test line on a 6 foot lightning rod and a quantum ss1 and a 1/16th oz crappie jig, I hooked and landed a 22 lb striper in Fishing creek.I didn't need to back reel,the reels now IMO are good enough to handle about any size fish. I think the main thing is not to get excited and horse the fish to the boat. This is just my opinion.