Our kings typically top out at about 25 pounds, and very seldom come in to the river in a "chrome" condition. More of a battleship grey to olive coloration. I have no problem landing kings in the 20 to 25 pound range on a rod rated up to 12 pound line,while using 10 pound main line and 6 or 8 pound leader. We must be talking about 2 different critters here, because our kings will tolerate about 4 or 5 passes with bit, fly, etc, and then they head off for somewhere else. These fish in the Midwest are extremely line shy. You have to understand that many times they are being fished in three feet of water or less, very clear, slow moving water, and tons of people harassing them all day long. I don't think I would dare fish kings in a "chrome" condition, in a river with decent flow, with this type of rig. Just passing on what works for us here in the Midwest.