Gear; Irod Gen II Freds Magic stick (love this rod), lews tourney pro, and 20lb sunline flourocarbon; fishing northshtar 1/2 pitch and swim, maybe the name is wrong but close enough.
I found this hog, has to be 6 pounds;flipped into a corner and watched my line move away, I knew I had a fish on and felt I made a solid hook set, but I wouldn't say swinging for the fences. As soon as the fish was on shore I tried to keep tension on the line and walk down and the fish just flopped around and flew off, I was extremely surprised how active this huge fish was with the water temps probably still in the 40's; then realizing my drag was not really locked down enough to pull a fish like this up shore..
I go back to the same area an start flipping, make sure my drag is set tighter; Im pitching into reeds, after a warm rain the water is high and fish moved up into cover in about 1 ft- with a 3-4 ft drop off nearby. The bite is soft, you cant even feel it, missed a 3 thinking I was caught on a reed, made the hook set too late; about 20 casts later Im hooked into this monster again, I felt a small tap tap, again I think I make a good hook set, this fish was in about 2 ft of water or less, Im probably 6 feet back off shore and I try to pull the fish over the reeds and onto shore; this thing is so big and there was a small incline I just could not get him up, reason being lacking confidence in my line!!! Normally I would be fishing 65 sunline braid, but I switched line and order a faster reel for my frog rod.
So the main question is can you flip a 5 plus fish in a boat or on shore with 20 lb flour with the drag locked or almost nearly locked; and how should I have my drag set??
Im using a Palomar knot.
I know this fish will be in the same spot, Im going back today; this will be the third day in a row!!