Bitter Sweet

[fourbizz]

But mostly bitter...

I was planning on swimbaiting on saturday because we had an awesome storm rolling in. I had a ruthless week at work and spent the whole week walking plate. If you are in construction, you know how much this sucks. If you aren't then trust me. By Friday evening I was totally wiped out and didn't feel up for the 4 hour round trip to the lake that I was planning on going to. Called my buddies and we arranged to hit the lake close to my house. NOT a big fish lake. Hit the water late at 8. By noon I had scraped up a few 2 pounders on the jig, all largemouth. The smallies were nowhere to be found, but I think they must be in real deep water, possibly suspending. Didn't pursue anything deeper than about 40 feet. It ended up getting real nasty, so I thought I would give a swimbait a try.

I set my jig rod ( Lamiglas/Shimano) down behind me on my right side, with the rod tip pointed out beyond the side of the boat. I made about 30 casts with the swimbait. I swung my rod tip back to my side looking for a real bomber cast. My 8" baits trebles caught my jig on the backswing and I chucked with all my might. Ripped my jig rod out of the boat, breaking the jig and possibly the rod tip off. It landed about ten feet in front of me and I watched it plummet out of sight in a matter of seconds. >. I entertained the thought of jumping in, but with water in the low 50's and air temps about the same, I decided that with all of the clothing I had on, it was a bad idea.  So I'm out a rod and reel combo. I won't be able to replace it for awhile cause I got Christmas to take care of >.

I didn't let it ruin the trip though and ended up sticking about a dozen cookie cutter largemouth from 1-2 pounds. My 2 buddies got 4 between the two of them.  The jig continues to amaze, I couldn't BUY a fish on the dropshot, which is my standard tough bite rig. Had a double at one point during the day and got a picture, but I am having some camera connectivity issues right now.

Guess I should have gone swimbaiting instead!

[clipper]

You made the right decision not to go in the water.  I used to water ski the last of March every year in 45 - 50 degree water and you don't funtion very long in that temperature water.  I've also almost done the same thing and it's easy to do, Murphy fishes too.  Did you try snagging the rod with a weighted treble hook?  If you can get back, that might work if the bottom is clean and fairly shallow.  

[fourbizz]

You made the right decision not to go in the water.  I used to water ski the last of March every year in 45 - 50 degree water and you don't funtion very long in that temperature water.  I've also almost done the same thing and it's easy to do, Murphy fishes too.  Did you try snagging the rod with a weighted treble hook?  If you can get back, that might work if the bottom is clean and fairly shallow.  

I did try for about 20 minutes, it was in about 60 feet of water and it was very very rocky. No luck. Ah Well

[Vyron]

man that sucks but what 2 do ,its part of our game

[Guest avid]

Hey did you ever think that maybe the jig caught the only 10 lber in the lake on it's way down?  

Of course having the rod n reel follow the jig down takes some of the thrill out of that fantasy, but hey ya never know  

J/K

Just trying to make light of a really crappy situation.  Kudo's to you.  Most people would be totally bummed.  You sound like you took it in stride.

[New 2 Bass]

Ohhh.  Sorry to hear that bro.  

[Bankbeater]

Sorry to hear that. Having a rig go into the water and not being able to get it has to be one of the most sickest feelings in the world.

[Tom Bass]

I feel for ya. I lost a Stradic on a BPS Extreme rod the summer before last in Lake Norman. I tried like crazy to get it back. I even bought a mask, fins and snorkle and went diving for it. This was in 8'-12' of water. I never found it.

I'd like to think some kid hooked it soon after I lost it and has a great rod and reel and a great story to tell about it.

Losing gear is a bummer but it does come with the territory.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Sorry there bizzle, sux for you...Mr bait monkey is happy though.

[Lightninrod]

Aw man, that sucks big-time :-[!  You made the right choice in not going in after it though....."60' of water".....no way in those temps.

Dan

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

We gotta start a club!  This fall I sent a Kistler magnesium to the bottom the exact same way but the kicker is that it had about 100 casts on it.  heliums float, magnesiums don't,lol lesson learned.

[fourbizz]

LBH, if we set up that club, it will have to be one of those clubs where the last letter of the acronym is A. I don't think I am exactly a "proud" memory LOL. I thought about going in after it for a second, but I would have had to jump right away. I hesitated until it was out of sight then i knew i was SOL. The most aggravating part is one of my buddies has the EXACT same rod, he dropped his about 6 months ago and it floated. Guess quantums don't weigh as much as a shimano >. I went back to that lake today with a different graph and water temp was 45! My crappy graph doesn't have a temp. I really would have been in trouble at those temps!

I guess I would rather dump a rod than a good fish, so its all good...as long as I land my next double d!

[Bankbeater]

We gotta start a club! This fall I sent a Kistler magnesium to the bottom the exact same way but the kicker is that it had about 100 casts on it. heliums float, magnesiums don't,lol lesson learned.

I've never lost a rig, but hats, knives, and weight scales have gone over the side.

I always say that my Dad and wife are in the Rod Dropper's club. My Dad knocked a rig in about 2 years ago, and my wife just plain and simple dropped her rig into the drink.