[SeaWolf]

i think most have put forth excellent answers to this more than typical problem - dealing w/ large in heavy structure, such as rocks.

i have personally had several of the same battles. some i've won, others i've lost. each instance i had to assemble each item, weigh it, and then determine what my best scenario was to increase my odds of landing this queen. these scenarios might include what rod i was fishing with (hvy, med, light), what my line strength and composition was (line - hvy, med, light; compostion - braid or mono), what the conditions were like (crowded, alone, w/ someon, blitz, calm waters, deep or fast moving water you couldnt wade into), etc.

i can remember on more than one occasion i was fishing in a steady pull of fish that were decent, but the conditions were not ideal - a little crowded, at night, rough surf, lines all over...then, you're on and she's pullin' good. first off, i'm generally fishing a hvy rod, hvy line, hvy leader so i have that to my advantage. but, the crowds, surf and/or lines were not to my advantage where i could run back and forth to try and help my situation of landing a fish. so, i had to muscle the fish in, whether it was between rocks, around rocks, or whatever. on most occasions, i'd win. however, there were times that i had to accept the fact that i may lose this fish, but i was being somewhat courteous by not stopping others from fishing while i fought my fish. if we were talking a fish over 40, i may ask for some cooperation though. in general though, i'm trying to stop this fish and gain as much line as quickly as i can.

a few others times i was alone, fishing w/ a friend or friends, or was with only another angler nearby. now, you're on. i will still try and muscle that fish in, but i may try and see where this fish is stuck or rubbing in rocks. i have disengaged the clutch on my casting reel w/ my thumb as the only drag to let the fish run a little w/ the hope it will turn directions, pull the line over the rock, or at least rub it in a newer section of line. it's work a couple times, but usually you now when you will most likely lose. i will not typically do this w/ a spinning reel.

i learned long ago, put as many issues you can control to your advantage before you wet a line and when that day comes to fight that queen you will be happy with your success to loss ratio. hvy lines, hvy leaders, med/hvy rods, dependable reel and drag. light tackle is fun, but you will have a lot of heartbreaks...