Makes Me Sick

[Senko lover]

We all have those big fish stories.....this time it was my turn. I was fishing last night out of a canoe on a small pond. We had caught a couple dinks, and I decided to try for some topwater action towards the end of the night. I had a fish hit my buzzbait and head out towards the middle of the pond, taking drag. She paused to jump right after getting past the boat and spit my hook. She was so enormous that my best friend thought it was a catfish at first. I've seen a lot of big bass, and have caught a 7.12, but this thing blew any of those fish out of the water. She was enormous. My friend and I both agreed she was probably around 9 pounds - certainly way bigger than a 5 or 6 pounder. 

 

I even had a trailer hook on the buzzbait 

[A-Jay]

Well at least you had a witness.

Either way, Always a tough pill to swallow ~

 And this may not be much of a consolation, but at least the big fish loss was not the result of some kind of tackle failure.

Loosing a true Giant because my line or knot fails Really makes me grind my teeth.

I end up talking to myself for hours afterwards - which seems OK as long as there's a dog or two around.

This experience may will help keep your big fish fire burning though . . . . . .

A-Jay 

[N Florida Mike]

I feel your pain bro.

I lost a 5 pounder earlier this year and was in a bad mood the rest of day...The bigger they are  the worse it is.

One way to look at it is that you made the right lure choice and presentation to get a hawg to bite.Thats a victory right there!!?

[Jtrout]

At least you know where she is go back!

[Darren.]

My condolences, sympathies, empathies....

 

Been there, done that. Have had too many giants

taildance within reach of my net, or mere feet of

my kayak only to spit the hook and laugh all the 

way back to the depths.

 

And like @A-Jay said, at least you had a witness!

Only twice have I had witnesses. The biggest that

was almost in the net my youngest was holding out

was easily over 8 pounds, possible much over, and

not only did he witness it, but a fishing buddy did,

too. So yeah. Painful, but there's always next time!

[jr231]

1 hour ago, Jtrout said:

At least you know where she is go back!

 

 

My thoughts and recommendation as well. I'd be back there for her. You said small pond. Huge bass. She can't go far. 

 

I bet you it won't come on that same buzzbait tho 

[RoLo]

 

Sorry to hear about your loss, I know that 'sick' feeling all too well!

As others have suggested:  She can run, but she can't hide (forever)

I keep a couple towels on my boat, the big one is a 'Crying Towel'  

 

Roger

[jbw252]

My condolences.  After your tears dry up, get back out there & try again.

[JustJames]

I felt your pain man. Think of it this way, she will get bigger and you will catch her again. You know where she at.

[Scott F]

It's funny how different people can react to the same situation. I know I've lost my share of fish over the years but I don't remember ever feeling bad about it. When it happens, my normal reaction is, "oh well, I was going to release him anyway", and I make the next cast.  Then again, I'm different from most guys in that I don't value a big fish more than I value any other fish.

[Bluebasser86]

I lost a couple good ones on a spinnerbait this week, even with a trailer hook which I rarely use. Didn't lose any that size though, that's rough. 

[Columbia Craw]

I've never lost a fish.

[IndianaFinesse]

10 minutes ago, Columbia Craw said:

I've never lost a fish.

And I catch ten pounders on every cast!

 

Sorry about the fish, man. I have never lost (or hooked) one that big, but I can still remember a couple of bass that looked to be five plus pounds getting loose like it was yesterday.  I can vividly remember seeing each one either spit the hook when it jumped, making a last minute run at the boat, or rapping me around a dock post.  Thinking of those fish will help get you out fishing on nasty days when you feel like laying around inside instead of fishing, use it as motivation.

[jr231]

2 hours ago, Scott F said:

It's funny how different people can react to the same situation. I know I've lost my share of fish over the years but I don't remember ever feeling bad about it. When it happens, my normal reaction is, "oh well, I was going to release him anyway", and I make the next cast.  Then again, I'm different from most guys in that I don't value a big fish more than I value any other fish.

 

I value big fish much more. In every way... Genetics are more important than this world seems to think sometimes. 

@IndianaFinesse what's funny about the ten lbers every cast is that you get them on the ned rig 

 

 

[soflabasser]

35 minutes ago, Yeajray231 said:

 

I value big fish much more.

 

 

 

Same here. Small/medium bass are a dime a dozen and after a while I get bored of catching them. Big bass are much more difficult to consistently catch and provide the type of challenge I enjoy most in bass fishing.

[IndianaFinesse]

35 minutes ago, Yeajray231 said:

 

I value big fish much more. In every way... Genetics are more important than this world seems to think sometimes. 

@IndianaFinesse what's funny about the ten lbers every cast is that you get them on the ned rig 

 

 

I have yet to catch a dd bass, but then again fishing in Indiana I have something like a 0.3% chance of catching a dd bass in my lifetime.  But I do feel very fortunate to have caught a bass that weighed 8.2 pounds (and it was on the Ned rig to...) in Indiana.

[soflabasser]

2 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

I've never lost a fish.

 Try tarpon fishing in South Florida. Its common to only land one out of every 2-6 fish you hook, if you are experienced at big game fishing.As for me, I have lost lots of fish(including big bass) throughout the years and I feel losing these fish has made me a better fisherman in the long run. Always make sure your drag is set well, the fishing line is in good condition, the hooks are needle point sharp, retie knots often, and be careful when landing the fish, since many times a fish throws out the hook when its right next to your hands.

[lonnie g]

I feel ya man! but at least you know she is still there!! HERE FISHY FISHY

[davecon]

As far as Tarpon go, I just want 6 or so jumps out of em. I fish in a small boat (Gheenoe) and usually by myself. Last thing I wan't is to tangle with one of those crazed beasts boatside by myself. Like I said, give me 6 or 8 jumps and be gone. We will both be better off.

[J._Bricker]

Sorry @Senko lover lover to hear about how your battle with that big girl ended. I'm sure you'll be successful in your quest to land that lunker in the lake the next time you cross paths. JB 

[Sam]

Kyle, she is still there. Lurking in the dark abyss of the pond, just waiting to torment you.

 

Thinking how easy it was to throw your bait as she showed you just enough scale to get your goat.

 

Yes, she knows you. She knows your canoe. She knows how you talk. She knows what baits you like to throw. She knows everyting.

 

That is why she is still in the water, wild and wacky, and you are home dreaming of her.

 

Will she ever be yours?  Stay tuned. And post a pic should you catch her, too.

[K_Mac]

There is an upside. This fish was not weighed, measured or photographed. It can be as big as you want it to be. As you get older the fish can, and will, grow in size. By the time you get my age it will have grown in your memory to epic proportions. You can then share the story with your grandkids... repeatedly. It's all good!?