Lost my PB

[YakOrBank]

Was throwing a top water frog in between heavy rain showers. Was working the frog on a 6’8 mojo bass with a slx mgl 70 in 8.2:1 30lb berkley braid. 
 

now I was able to get this fish to strike pretty close to where I was standing 2-3ft from the bank. I set the hook as he went down with the frog. Opposite direction to where he went down with it. One good reel in before lifting the fish up to me on the bank. As I lifted in a blur the fish was on the bank. In a primal instinct I followed the fish into the shallows trying to grab the fish with everything I had. 
 

long story short I was pretty bummed about that fishing getting away. Any info on what I could do next time to successfully land that fish? The kicker is after breaking off about 5 ft from shore he launched Ariel to try and shake the frog that was stuck in the top of his mouth. Please tell me what I need to do to land that fish!! Thank you.

[Woody B]

Some here will probably tell you differently but with a big fish you have to get it tired before trying to land it.  Patience is your friend.   Obviously it's a balancing act.  The longer a fish is in the water, on the line the bigger chance of it coming unhooked, or getting tangled in something.   

Also, 30 pound line is really hard to break, unless there's some damage.  Check your line often.  If there's any nicks cut off and re tie.   

Do you know where the line broke?  Was it near, or at the knot?  I know nothing about knots with braid so I can't advise you on what knot to use if the knot failed.    

 

Once again, I'm not an expert.  Like everyone else I've lost big (and small) fish.

 

[YakOrBank]

6 minutes ago, Woody B said:

Some here will probably tell you differently but with a big fish you have to get it tired before trying to land it.  Patience is your friend.   Obviously it's a balancing act.  The longer a fish is in the water, on the line the bigger chance of it coming unhooked, or getting tangled in something.   

Also, 30 pound line is really hard to break, unless there's some damage.  Check your line often.  If there's any nicks cut off and re tie.   

Do you know where the line broke?  Was it near, or at the knot?  I know nothing about knots with braid so I can't advise you on what knot to use if the knot failed.    

 

Once again, I'm not an expert.  Like everyone else I've lost big (and small) fish.

 

With it being so close to the shore I kinda panicked because I realized instantly it was my Pb it all happened so fast. This reel was previously used as a jig setup before I bought a chronarch. I’m wondering if it was frayed good enough for it to be a cause of failure. It broke off closer to half way down the rod. Appreciate the reply!

[Trox]

I used to not worry about my drag much until I had it set way too high with 8lb line and lost what I still swear was the biggest fish I have ever seen... I now always know where my drag is at...

I used to not worry checking my line every few casts until I lost an 7-8lber during a tournament... I now check my line constantly. 
 

44 minutes ago, NewGuyOnTheDock said:

Any info on what I could do next time to successfully land that fish?

Not what you did this time 

[YakOrBank]

4 minutes ago, TroxBox said:

I used to not worry about my drag much until I had it set way too high with 8lb line and lost what I still swear was the biggest fish I have ever seen... I now always know where my drag is at...

I used to not worry checking my line every few casts until I lost an 7-8lber during a tournament... I now check my line constantly. 
 

Not what you did this time 

I’m pretty sure I have my drag maxed out because a friend of mine told me it’s the best way to go…. Hmm I’m wondering if that’s also an issue I’m having. What drag setting should I run with top water? 11 or 12 lbs of drag on the reel I believe. 

[YakOrBank]

At 28 I should have realized that listening to a friend might bite me in the butt but catching 1-2 lb fish I had never had an issue before with breaking off. Honestly the experience just makes me hungrier to dial the technical aspect of my approach and hopefully land my PB this year.

[Bird]

Well unfortunately we all lose big fish, it happens.

I'd invest in a landing net...... something about the finality of securing a big fish in a landing net.

Don't dwell on the loss, stay focused on the next big one.

[Skunkmaster-k]

A net is the way to go. Lifting a sow with the rod ends badly for me more often than not. 

[WRB]

We tend to forget abut the bass we catch and never forget the big bass that get away!

Tom

[Trox]

53 minutes ago, NewGuyOnTheDock said:

I’m pretty sure I have my drag maxed out because a friend of mine told me it’s the best way to go…. Hmm I’m wondering if that’s also an issue I’m having. What drag setting should I run with top water? 11 or 12 lbs of drag on the reel I believe. 

well, you're friend wasn't wrong... Fishing a frog with straight braid is typically something that is done with your drag locked down to force fish away from cover, and as WoodyB said earlier, that 30lb braid may of had some abrasion issues for it to break like that... For what it's worth, I won't throw a frog on anything less that 50lb braid

[Deleted account]

If 30 braid broke away from the knot, it was either compromised, or you have an issue with a guide, and you can't loose your PB...

[PhishLI]

2 hours ago, NewGuyOnTheDock said:

As I lifted in a blur the fish was on the bank.

Invest in a pair of hip waders. Had you been in the water even just a few feet off shore you could've lipped the fish where she was lighter and not lost her. Glory pics instead of a sad story. Don't worry though, once you've popped the cork on catching your first big more are bound to follow. It seems to happen that way.

[Zcoker]

That's how most loose a big fish, they panic else fight it like a baby. It appears in your situation that you panicked, horsed it onto shore rather green, which broke the line, and the fish pounced around and then slipped back into the water. Seems like that fish had all the advantages. Have to put things in your court, give yourself the best advantage without overdoing things, would be my best advice. Try to look at situations like this as a teachable moment to make yourself a better fisherman. 

[BrianMDTX]

On 5/16/2022 at 8:38 PM, WRB said:

We tend to forget abut the bass we catch and never forget the big bass that get away!

Tom

Tom, that may be true, but I guar-an-tee you have some caught bass you will never forget! 
?

[thediscochef]

On 5/16/2022 at 8:38 PM, WRB said:

We tend to forget abut the bass we catch and never forget the big bass that get away!

Tom

That draw of the unknown is a very powerful thing

[WRB]

32 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

Tom, that may be true, but I guar-an-tee you have some caught bass you will never forget! 
?

I lost 2 giant bass I will never forget, both haunt me to this day.

Tom

[YakOrBank]

Would like to update everyone who commented that today I did break my PB, not with a frog but with a jig. Thank you for all the advice! 

[T-Billy]

On 5/18/2022 at 4:32 PM, WRB said:

I lost 2 giant bass I will never forget, both haunt me to this day.

Tom

Me too brother. Those two memories are still fresh in my mind like they happened yesterday. Invisx......?

[Johnpenguin]

On 5/16/2022 at 7:50 PM, NewGuyOnTheDock said:

Was throwing a top water frog in between heavy rain showers. Was working the frog on a 6’8 mojo bass with a slx mgl 70 in 8.2:1 30lb berkley braid. 
 

now I was able to get this fish to strike pretty close to where I was standing 2-3ft from the bank. I set the hook as he went down with the frog. Opposite direction to where he went down with it. One good reel in before lifting the fish up to me on the bank. As I lifted in a blur the fish was on the bank. In a primal instinct I followed the fish into the shallows trying to grab the fish with everything I had. 
 

long story short I was pretty bummed about that fishing getting away. Any info on what I could do next time to successfully land that fish? The kicker is after breaking off about 5 ft from shore he launched Ariel to try and shake the frog that was stuck in the top of his mouth. Please tell me what I need to do to land that fish!! Thank you.

That equipment is not frogging gear. Make sure to use at least a 7ft extra heavy rod with at least 65lb braid on an extra fast 150 size or larger reel.

[the reel ess]

You really should be able to winch a bass in with the drag cinched down on 30# braid. I do this with my jig rod routinely. But you really should go to 50-65# for the frog. 30# should get it done, but it's more susceptible to abrasion, especially around rocks. I feel for you on the loss of a PB. A lot of us have done it. In my case it was my error.

[the reel ess]

On 5/20/2022 at 6:33 PM, Johnpenguin said:

That equipment is not frogging gear. Make sure to use at least a 7ft extra heavy rod with at least 65lb braid on an extra fast 150 size or larger reel.

A lot of people don't have a rod for every technique. It could be worse. I've heard people say they use mono for frogs.

Before I had a frog-specific rod I used a 7' MH because it was the best tool I had for the job. I really agree that the line is rule #1 in frog fishing. Before I had a jig and frog rod, I would use 65# on my MH combo and I'd use a mono leader when I was using it for jigs. I'd cut the leader off when I was froggin'. I just made do with what I had.

[hunterPRO1]

with an 8-10 lb fish you can easily put 30lbs of pressure on braided line due to the lack of stretch.

 

especially during hooksets or when the fish is close to you.

 

drag should never be completely locked, it can be set really tight, but never all the way.