Lost a PB today

[the reel ess]

I lost what would have been a new PB by quite a bit today. I was fishing a local reservoir that's private and has a lot of big bass in it. All the usual baits were either failing or the fish were striking short so I downsized from Chigger Craw to Hula Grub. I felt just a little mushy resistance that seemed to be pulling the opposite way so I set the hook. I kept good pressure on it and it felt like a log that was barely swimming. I got it close and it still hadn't shaken its head. Then the hook came free. I can't imagine what I could have done better. The hook had barely broken the skin of the soft plastic. I couldn't see where the hook came free from so maybe it was just hooked weird or in a hard place of the mouth. That happens.

Anyway, my buddy told me it was at least 8 lbs, which would break my PB my at least 1.5. He ought to know because he's caught several in there over 8. On the bright side, it's still in there and it's not the only one that big.

[Darren.]

I feel your pain. Happened to me this week.
Not sure if it would have been my PB, but
would have been the best this year so far, 
for sure. My mistake was leaving my drag
set for when I had a 15# leader on it rather 
than the 6# I was using for dropshot. 

[the reel ess]

1 minute ago, Darren. said:

I feel your pain. Happened to me this week.
Not sure if it would have been my PB, but
would have been the best this year so far, 
for sure. My mistake was leaving my drag
set for when I had a 15# leader on it rather 
than the 6# I was using for dropshot. 

If I made a mistake it was probably going too hard with the fish. I had straight 50# braid and a good Gama hook so I thought I could horse it. But after seeing I barely had a hook in it, it seems it would have been wiser to go easy.

[greentrout]

I like to see the glass half full. You hooked the fish and lost the battle. The Bass does win its share of the battles. You have learned from the experience and the next big one is in the boat. I feel your pain. It's happened to me too. Might again.

Have a great evening.

 

[WRB]

Obviously didn't get a good hook set that penetrated the basses mouth.

Tom

[tbone1993]

By the sounds of it the fish probably had your bullet weight and not enough of the worm. I've had the same thing happen to me, just not on an 8lber lol

[Ski]

5 hours ago, tbone1993 said:

By the sounds of it the fish probably had your bullet weight and not enough of the worm. I've had the same thing happen to me, just not on an 8lber lol

My guess ^^^^^^

[the reel ess]

6 hours ago, tbone1993 said:

By the sounds of it the fish probably had your bullet weight and not enough of the worm. I've had the same thing happen to me, just not on an 8lber lol

Yeah. It was a smaller EWG hook as well because the Hula Grub is a small bait.

[J._Bricker]

the reel ess, I'm sure you've made adjustments and we look forward to hearing about round 2!  And you know at least one big girl likes that area where you got bit... Good luck, JB

[Fisher-O-men]

Probably a catfish. 

[the reel ess]

37 minutes ago, Fisher-O-men said:

Probably a catfish. 

Doubtful since I've never caught one there. But it's possible I guess. I know there are bass that big and bigger there. I've already caught a 6.4 the first time there this year.

[Bankbeater]

Had that happen a few years back while fishing a small jig.  The only thing keeping the hook in the fish's mouth was the pressure from reeling it in.  The bass just swam away when I stopped reeling and went to pick it up by the lip.  It's a bummer, but at least you know where it lives now.

[Dwight Hottle]

Losing a PB that you could see is extremely painful. But as others have mentioned at least you know where she is.