If it is a super big fish, say over 20 pounds all you can do is point the rod tip at the fish and play it with the line. Your tippet will let you know if you can land it or not. We used to fish for Pink salmon with 5wts 10 lb test mono for a leader, 6 lb tippet. Occasionally a 40lb plus Chinook or 15 pound Coho would take us to the backing and way beyond. You just hang on till the tippet breaks. Better tippet than tip top.