September 1998, dont remember the rod or the reel but it was a baitcaster set up. the line was 12 lb Super Silver Thread mono. hook was/still is Gamakatsu 3.0 offset shank worm hook. unpainted 3/16 oz bullet and a 6" Renegade curly tail worm in Fall Pumpkin Pepper flake. i was fishing a roadbed when a small school of shad appeared on the surface. i threw in towards them, my line sank, stopped, then started moving off. she was 8.6 lbs and i have not landed anything close to that since.