Worse Than Getting Skunked

[FishTank]

This going to sound unbelievable and I wish it was.....So I went to one of my favorite lakes today and had my mind and heart destroyed.  I have only caught one double digit bass in my lifetime and thought I would never see another one, until today. 

 

I was fishing a line of weeds when a monster hit my ned rig. I was only in a few feet of water and when this fish didn't jump,  I thought I caught a catfish but about 8-10 feet from kayak I could see the head. It was so big I thought I had two fish on there. As it got it closer, it jumped. That's when my mind went blank, I 💩 my pants and I forgot I had a net. All I could think of is don't loose it, keep reeling in. After a few minutes of it running,  I got it right next to the kayak and went to lip it. I gently reached down,  got one finger on it and snap, my line broke. This monster had gotten my line in the crevice of the rudder handle and just like that, she was gone. I stared at the water in disbelief for about 15 minutes as my new personal best swam away. 

 

The mouth on this fish was three times the size of my fist and it was as round as a volleyball.  In length,  it was easy to measure since it laying on its side on top of the water right next to the kayak.  It's tail was at the end of my side rail and the head was just beyond the rudder handle. That's 30 inches.  You guys can guess the weight but it's the biggest one I've ever seen in person. 

 

I think I need a break from fishing after today. 

[MN Fisher]

That is heart-breaking, Tank...take a breather...we'll be here when you get your mojo back.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Really hate to hear that, and that puke feeling in the pit of the stomach is hard to deal with when you lose a special fish.   

 

Please don't let that fish crush you though, in time you'll see how much of an amazing experience you just had.   One that 99.99% of other Bass anglers in Indiana won't have.   You got to hook, fight, and witness lightning in a bottle.   You'll never forget that fish, she's forever part of your Bass fishing history.    Try to take pride in the fact your skill made that experience happen. 

 

You got to much awesome JDM fishing tackle to take a break anyways 😉 

[fin]

I can’t say for certain whether I’ve ever had one that big on the line, but I can definitely relate to sitting there with the broken line in a daze.

 

You got to see it up close and touch it. That counts for something.

[Swamp Girl]

You know where she lives and she has to eat again and again and again.

[The Baron]

Oh, man that’s rough.  Hang in there, and maybe try for her again when you’re up to it. 🤞🏻

[ike8120]

That is heart breaking

[A-Jay]

That's a major downer.

Losing a big bass is an empty feeling like no other.

There is nothing as final as broken 

line. 

So are we talking potential new Indiana State record fish here ?

Sure sounds like it.

Bet you fish that area again a few times in the near future.

🫤

A-Jay

 

[Zcoker]

Ironically, the one that got away will live with you forever

[gim]

[T-Billy]

I feel for ya brother. Been there done that, but with a different species. 33"-34" saugeye in my case. It's a sick feeling watching the fish of a lifetime swim off with your lure for sure. 

[Choporoz]

On 9/10/2020 at 3:25 PM, Choporoz said:

Two hours after sunset one evening a few years ago I set the set the hook on something huge.  Towards the end of a long fight, I got what I assumed was a flathead or snakehead close enough to side of my yak to grab the line to hold it close, so I could get my headlamp on and arrange my tools (grips, spreader, pliers).   As I switched on my headlamp, I was shocked to see the biggest gaping bass mouth I've seen in my life....or since....  in the blink of an eye, she flinched, snapped the line and disappeared.  Since that night I haven't grabbed the line except on 40# or better braid.

Never considered it might be a bass, so I wasn't even thinking about lipping her....haunts me still

You won't forget her.  Seven years later, I still know exactly where she was, what lure she ate, and the sound of that line snapping....

[FishTank]

On 7/8/2024 at 7:42 AM, A-Jay said:

That's a major downer.

Losing a big bass is an empty feeling like no other.

There is nothing as final as broken 

line. 

So are we talking potential new Indiana State record fish here ?

Sure sounds like it.

Bet you fish that area again a few times in the near future.

🫤

A-Jay

 

 

Thanks for all the support.  My break from fishing only lasted two days. I got out yesterday and caught a few. 

 

I will be revisiting the spot I hooked into this fish many times over. Maybe I will get  lucky.

 

@A-Jay I don't think I had a state record but it was definitely bigger than the 10lb 2oz bass I caught 18 years ago. I would say around 11 to 12 but not any bigger.  

 

I am still kicking myself for not grabbing the net but I will remember how this fish felt different and even looked different from any other bass I have caught.  It wasn't as violent and the bite felt more like a snag. It looked almost sold black on top and almost solid white on the bottom.  It was a genetic freak, at least at the lake I was on.

 

Seeing this fish and hooking into it was awesome but it also gives me hope for future outings.  Who knows,  maybe this fish has some friends. 👍

[papajoe222]

The good news is: a) You had the joy and memory of fighting a giant. b) That fish is still there to be caught again just as if you'd landed it and released it. c) See (b), She'll be there to catch again, so fill your dreams with the battle and your fishing time trying to stick  her again.  

[Bankbeater]

At least you saw it, and you know where it lives.

[Bazoo]

Sorry to hear it. But I am with @ol'crickety, go after that monster again!

[Woody B]

Like others said, go catch that monster.  2 weeks before I caught my PB and only DD I lost a big Bass that came from the same stump.  Like you it broke off next the the boat while I was trying to lip it.  

[gim]

I lost what appeared to be a new PB last night about an hour before sunset.

 

I was slow crawling a chatterbait above some weeds in about 9 feet of water and I thought it was a big pike or a muskie.  I reared back to set the hook at that's certainly what it felt like.  Moments later, it jumped and spit the hook.  I got a pretty good look at it.  Its been since 2006 since I set a new PB largemouth which was 21 inches.  This fish appeared significantly bigger.  I was shocked that it was a bass to be honest.

 

Didn't sleep very well last night because of it either.

[The1Fist]

50 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I lost what appeared to be a new PB last night about an hour before sunset.

 

I was slow crawling a chatterbait above some weeds in about 9 feet of water and I thought it was a big pike or a muskie.  I reared back to set the hook at that's certainly what it felt like.  Moments later, it jumped and spit the hook.  I got a pretty good look at it.  Its been since 2006 since I set a new PB largemouth which was 21 inches.  This fish appeared significantly bigger.  I was shocked that it was a bass to be honest.

 

Didn't sleep very well last night because of it either.

Ouch, that's a tough one to lose! I can understand why you're still thinking about it. Losing a big fish can be frustrating, but it's all part of the game. At least you got a good look at it and can use that experience to try and catch it again. Or maybe it'll motivate you to catch an even bigger one! Don't beat yourself up over it, and try to focus on the next fishing trip. You'll get 'em next time!

[gim]

@The1Fist the thing is, I got a good solid hookset too.  I don't lose many fish after I hook them.  I try not to let it bother me because it does no good but I'd be lying if I said I never think about the big ones that got away.

 

I hooked another one about 15 minutes after that one, and the same thing happened.  That one wasn't a PB but it was definitely a solid fish.  I inspected my lure, line, and drag after I lost the second one.  Both of those fish jumped pretty high and shook their head, which is when the hook came out.