Losing That Big Bass Hurts...but It Hurts Worse When Its Just Another Story

[bigbassmaster4]

I had caught probably the biggest bass of my career like 3lbs I had him or I thought .. The fish broke my line but was confused at the shore so I go in to grab him but he starts squirming about stupid me tries to take the hook out while still in the water and he flops away with my crnkbait! Now its just another story the one that got away

[Darren.]

Such things happen, and they never get any easier  I broke off two big gals back in August after fighting them and getting them near the yak before they either broke the line, or spit the hook. Ugh.

 

File it in the memory banks and move on

[rangerboy]

sucks that the fish now has a mouth full of hooks. try and land them as cleanly as possible, less stress on the fish means better fishing for every body. also be sure to check your line and knots frequently, good luck

[Snakehead Whisperer]

Such things happen, and they never get any easier  I broke off two big gals back in August after fighting them and getting them near the yak before they either broke the line, or spit the hook. Ugh.

 

File it in the memory banks and move on

Back in August, LOL.

[martintheduck]

About 3 weeks ago the river conditions were great for flipping cover on the inside banks. Theres a really steep incline right now so the banks go from 1ft to 18 ft VERY suddenly. Pulled up to a spot, flipped into a few spots and got to a little area that I could see "there's gotta be a bass in there." Flipped in, gave the jig a little nip but wouldn't take it. Flipped back in and it HAMMERED it. Was super excited because hardly any 2+ come from this river. I can feel it's a toad and start freaking out saying "aw dang it's a toad! dang. COME HERE. COMEHERE!" 

 

Set the hook, yank it out of the cover and start reeling in. Get's right near the boat, flashes in the water and it's at LEAST 5lb's. As soon as it flashed, it ran straight down and back into the logs, wrapped up, and got off. I was devastated.

 

Since then I've been building a pile of funds for a Heavy action rod with 50lb braid. Never again want to be in that situation. 

[Shane J]

I lost what would have been my state's new state record LM back in '09. That hurt. Would have also been my first ever 10+lb bass in NH, which is ridiculous. All you can do, is try and save a lesson learned from the experience, and try again. We catch fish, we lose fish, and there's always gonna be that one that got away, because it happens to everyone at some point.

[Darren.]

Back in August, LOL.

 

Heh. Was waaay back in EARLY August, to be more specific!

[Grizzn N Bassin]

I shouldn't have read this!! Now I have to drop everything hopefully I catch a new PB today ....

[AK-Jax86]

Need to go out and set that new PB

[TankBobcatWatts]

:-(

The one that got away: I have caught my personal best on Lake St. Clair multiple times (keep edging the last PB by a few ounces). I have now caught 7 smallies that are over 5 and hundreds in the 4- 4.5 range. Last summer (on St Clair again) fishing the mile roads I was throwing a pointer jerk bait using the 1-2-pause-drag cadence and on the 3rd drag it felt like my jerkbait hit a house. I leaned on a hookset and settled in for a battle. After about 2 minutes I got this beast up to the surface near the boat and I saw the flash and silhouette of it. Once I realized the size of it I loosened my drag 2 clicks to prevent any more stress on my 8 lb fluoro. After the second run I got him back right next to the boat and on the surface. For a solid 2 seconds I thought all I had to do was get him and then start taking pictures/ weighing this freak of nature. Well those 2 seconds came and went and he got some kind of 2nd wind and made 1 more run on me straight away towards the bottom. I saw how thick his back was and I knew after all the 4.5- 5 lb + fish I have caught that this one would easily put them to shame. Then... It happened. From my angle it looked like his tail hit my line as he was swimming away from me and changed the bait angle in his mouth... The hook pulled out on the next bulldog shake of his head. I was deflated and ticked... If my fishing partner had the net in his hand and not continuously casting during the fight he could have easily netted it on the 2nd approach to the boat. I cant blame anyone else though, I did everything right... and got shafted. I guess that's what happens when I take a rook out on the water with me haha. I'm telling you this particular smallmouth was at least 25 inches and his back looked as thick as my wrist. I'll bet my life he would have went easily over 7 lbs. I still have nightmares about it. When the hook came out I literally dropped my rod and just stared down into the water for a solid 5 minutes. It was one of those instances where I did everything perfect I mean EVERYTHING and I just wanted to know WHY?????!!!!!!! The monster on my line that day would have dwarfed the 5.3 in my avatar pic. I sad now :-(

The only thing that made the day liveable after that was that I caught a 9 pound walleye on a dropshot and added 2 smaller walleye that were delicious by the way. Out on St Clair we catch lots and lots of walleye on accident while fishing for smallmouth.