The PB that almost got away

[diablojoe]

I just started bass fishing this year while living in Virginia and for the first 4 months I only caught one fish. After my job transferred me to Florida my fortunes definitely changed. My first time out I caught a bass and my success rate shot through the roof. One morning right after sunrise I was bank fishing at my local lake and casted to my left along the bank. The lure literally landed 6 inches from the edge of the bank. I thought to myself well that wasn't very good but still proceeded to give it a twitch. (black senko) On my second twitch there was a huge splash needless to say taking me by surprise. I let the fish take it and then set the hook. I could feel the raw power of the bass pulling and bending my 7' rod. Without warning the beast jumped from the water and came down with a splash causing my grip to tighten and my heart to race. I fought the fish for about 5 minutes and after successfully bringing it onshore I realized that it was the biggest bass of my life. I then realized I had forgotten my scale a short 50 yards away in my car. I looked at the fish then at my car back to the fish layed it down still hooked on to the soft grass of the bank and began the sprint. I retrieved the scale and raced back to the catch realizing with every stride that the fish wasn't there. As I approached the bank I caught glimpse of my rod and reel being pulled back into the water. I immediately dove like an NFL receiver catching a long bomb and grabbed the rod. Sure enough the fight was back on and the fish had used my disappearance to gain extra rest. The fight lasted another 5 minutes and I got it back to the bank. I removed the hook from its mouth and hooked up the scale. I watched closely as the number came into focus. 2.75 lbs...my personal best at the time. I somehow managed to return the bass to the lake while smiling from ear to ear and my hands shaking. That smile lasted for a while and even though I didn't catch another fish that morning I sang in the car all the way home.

[roadwarrior]

Two five minute battles with a 2.75 lb bass?  You might want to consider some new gear especially considering the potential opportunities you may have down in Florida.

 

[Choporoz]

Reminds me of Freshman Comp.

 

Thanks for the story

[Josh Smith]

Good job -- although bass have died from long fights.

I no longer play them all the way out. I let them run twice but don't let them turn and run a third time even if they're so inclined. Sure, the critter might flop a bit more til you get the Vulcan jaw grip on it, but I won't play it to exhaustion.

This goes for all fish. If I'm keeping a fish to eat, it tastes better with a short fight; not do much acid build-up in the muscles, or something.

Regards,

Josh

[Redlinerobert]

Diablo Joe,

Good job and great story about fighting your fish.  I remember back when I started fishing and caught a fish that was oversized for my tackle at the time.  I evaluated my rod and reel and bought something that was more in line with the fish I'd 'hope' to be catching.

I wouldn't worry about 'fighting a bass to exhaustion' too much.  Last I heard bass were not on the endangered species list. :).  

Now go buy some beefier bass tackle and go after a double digit monster!

 

[diablojoe]

Thanks for the comments. I have since upgraded my tackle and learned much more about setting it up properly. Remember as with every fish story sometimes the length of time during a fight can get skewed what feels like 5 minutes for a rookie like me was probably more realistically less than a minute...lol. Just thought I would share. This event was what has sparked my bass fishing obsession and my addiction. I have since purchased 4 new reels and rods...I did increase my PB to 4 pounds in Mississippi over the weekend but am chasing the lunker. Hopefully I will get one by the end of the year.

[BassObsessed]

Good thing it wasn't a DD or the rod would be history along with knowing you lost a giant lol. Good luck , there are giants in alot of those neighborhood ponds. I found that out a few times on vacation.

[diablojoe]

Well I doubt there is any much bigger because they drained the lake back in 2011. You think there could be? The lake is just littered with grass throughout where would you suggest I look in a lake like that?

["hamma"]

Catching a personal best twice ?,.no wonder you were singing. Good story and congrats on the continued success. Living down south your in a good place to bump up that Personal Best,...Good luck and keep that scale close. I have a feeling your going to need it.

[timsford]

On 9/7/2016 at 10:44 AM, Josh Smith said:

Good job -- although bass have died from long fights.

I no longer play them all the way out. I let them run twice but don't let them turn and run a third time even if they're so inclined. Sure, the critter might flop a bit more til you get the Vulcan jaw grip on it, but I won't play it to exhaustion.

This goes for all fish. If I'm keeping a fish to eat, it tastes better with a short fight; not do much acid build-up in the muscles, or something.

Regards,

Josh

Better not come to my area of Tennessee and fish for smallmouth, stripers, or hybrids. Sometimes the fish fight you til the point you are exhausted

[diablojoe]

Thanks guys...I did push that personal best up recently to 3.94 lbs in Mississippi it was very exciting...my goal is to get over 6 lbs by the end of the year...

[Josh Smith]

3 hours ago, timsford said:

Better not come to my area of Tennessee and fish for smallmouth, stripers, or hybrids. Sometimes the fish fight you til the point you are exhausted

That's a different ballgame altogether. I'm talking typical Northern Indiana bass.

Point is, don't play them to exhaustion of you can help it.

Regards,

Josh

[Redlinerobert]

On ‎9‎/‎12‎/‎2016 at 6:33 AM, timsford said:

Better not come to my area of Tennessee and fish for smallmouth, stripers, or hybrids. Sometimes the fish fight you til the point you are exhausted

Stripers in Tennessee.  Someday!

[timsford]

27 minutes ago, Redlinerobert said:

Stripers in Tennessee.  Someday!

They stock them in the tva lakes like tims ford where I fish most of the time. When it's hot like this, the best place to go is the river that feeds the lake. I like to fish right below the dam in the current. I still love largemouth, but there's nothing like hooking an angry double digit striper in heavy current, especially if you are using normal medium and medium heavy powered bass rods. That's why I never buy reels with shallow spools and all my spinning reels are at least 2500 or 3000 size. I've almost been spooled several times with 120 yards of line