@FrankyFan:
Thanks again.
EDIT: I can get out to 150 now and I've upgraded the rod as much as I can. I got out to 161, started pulling, and at around 107 my strength bar dropped in about 3 seconds and I lost it. Any suggestions?
Honestly? I've never cast that far out to catch a golden whale. I usually catch mine around 120 feet.
Once I hook one (you'll KNOW it's a whale by how much it drains), I tend to reel in until I lose 1/4 of my line strength, then begin 'tapping' on the A button to restore the strength. That way it's still reeling in but not so much that it will allow the whale to get more distance on me. If they do a BIG struggle and drain the line by 1/2 or 3/4, than I let go completely and let it refill to full strength. Repeat until caught.
I've sometimes found once or twice there are just some whales that are not worth the effort - they drain the line and struggle so much, while others are a bit easier. I think only one whale has ever got away from me, it was so much of a problem child and eventually broke my line about 30 feet away. :/
I also take it the rod is also upgraded in strength, not just the line length, right? ;3 That helps a lot too.