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Congratulations Teroy on being the Moderator of the month. Tube Dude poated a message some time ago that said that a five pound
wiper fights better than a 10 or 20 pounder. Hey TD, is that first hand info? WH2
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I never met a wiper I didn't like. Yes, it is first hand information, but it is subject to a lot of variables, as most rash and foolish claims in fishing.
I tend to fish with light tackle, so a three to five pound wiper can really kick my tail. When I have fished with heavier tackle, for the bigger fish, I suspect I was really "overgunned"...with salt water sized rods, reels and lines. If I had brought my own gear, I would probably have a different outlook.
My biggest was about fifteen pounds, hooked on a live shad in a lake in Texas. It put up a pretty good battle, even on the heavy gear I had borrowed for the occasion. I suspect that if I had my customary medium 7 foot stick with six or eight pound line, I might still be fighting that one.
I will offer, however, that big stripers are probably overrated. I have taken several over forty pounds and they are pretty much just a lot of weight to drag in. They make a couple of decent runs at first, but then it is mostly lift and crank, without a lot of flash.
I have never caught a wiper of any size that did not do it's best to terminate the connection between angler and fish. They are great. I will modify my original statement to say that I would rather catch a five pound wiper on any tackle, than a big striper on heavy tackle. Or have I just gone off down a different road? Hope there's some wipers at the end.
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