This raises a very interesting point. A friend of mine caught an 18 inch striper while bass fishing and said the fish didn't put up near the fight that a 4 lb smallie put up. Well, it's completely unrealistic to expect an immature fish to compete with a mature fish of a similar size. You also must take the conditions into consideration. I've had a May 10 lb striper hit so hard they broke the butt of an heavy ugly stick! I've also had a May 20 lb striper run 80 YARDS up on a bank, back around the boat twice before it came undone at the boat (Heartbreak of all heark breaks!). Expecting that same fight now would be unrealistic.