One that got away

[TENNESSEE NEWSOME]

Most everyone can remember a few days in their fishing lives when they lost a big one. The ones that make ya sick to your stomach. I had one such day yesterday.

A few weeks ago, I was complaining about the size of the bass on the local lakes I fish on, but lately I've managed to find some 17 and 18 inchers.

So, yesterday, as the sun was going down, I tied on a big crank bait and casted it parallel to the bank and started reelin. On the second cast, I caught a 17.5". But the next cast was one I'll never forget. The bait was right under the boat when she slammed it.

Got the fish up to the boat and realized I'd forgot the net, and I was by myself. I'm not too keen on liftin a heavy fish out of the water by its mouth with huge treble hooks in it, so I just stood there thinkin "Now, what?"

She laid there for several seconds before giving one last fight. That's when she broke my line. Not knowing she was free to go, she just sat there as if to say, "Catch me now if you can!" She would have been the 160th fish caught this year (93 bass). I'm not gonna guess how big she was, but I know she was a lot bigger than the 22 incher I caught last year.

I'm no pro by any means and just love to fish. I have a poor man's rig, but I still fish as much as I possibly can in between sleep and work. So, for me, to lose a fish like that one is a heartbreaker. Guess I'll go out again tomorrow and chase #160.

[Simp]

Yep these things happen and it's never fun(well actually it is). I personally "count" a fish if I get it so close I can touch it ;D. That doesn't mean I don't get dispointed when I don't have the chance to measure and weigh it though. I lost a catfish when I was younger that was at least +50LB when we got it to the boat but had no way to get it in LOL.

BTW don't be surprised when this gets moved to the outings forum.

[Sam]

You have now joined "The Club."

Congratulations.

It happens to us all.

I still have nightmares about them.

I can see them jumping and throwing the hook or rolling over and getting unbuttoned or watching them swim away when they get off the hook.

But that's the fun of fishing.

[Newman12Fan]

I know the pain.  I had this happen last week to me.  It was by far the largest fish I have hooked in my local pond, and I have landed 2 over 6 pounds.  I fought it all the way in to shore, the whole time saying "please stay on, please stay on".  I got him right to the shore, so shallow his back was right at the water line.  I gave one last pull to turn his head toward me to land him when my line broke.  He just sat there so I said "I am not losing this one!".  I threw down the poll and jumped in the water.  I got my hands less then 6 inches from her when she decided to swim away!  Very frustrating, but a good laugh from the other 4 people fishing on the lake.  I don't know how big she really was, but after one of her jumps the guy near me said "that fish scares me!"

Oh well, I will get her one of these days

[.dsaavedra.]

that story really sucks. well the story doesnt suck, what happened sucks. ;D

my only suggestion is to not be afraid to lip a bass w/ a crankbait in its mouth.

i have my own three rules for lipping a crankbait bass:

be confident

be careful

be fast

you have to be confident and not wimp out.

you have to be careful so that you dont get hooked.

when you see a time that you can get a thumb in 'er, GO FOR IT! dont hesitate.

also, if you still cant lip them, try putting your hand under their belly and cradling them and lifting them that way.

[Grey Wolf]

With a mouth that big why would yoy be afraid to lip it ????????????????

[TENNESSEE NEWSOME]

Well, I'm scared to death of that second hook that's often loose (or becomes lose).  I might very well be able to grab the mouth with no problem, but when she shakes, I'm afraid of that second hook lodging into me.  Makes me cringe to even think about it.

My dad got stuck by a 4/0 EWG a few years ago with the fish still on the line.  The hook broke off in his finger.  And like a dummy, he kept fishing instead of going home (he told the doctor the fish were bitin).  When he got home, he had a blue streak runnin' up his arm.  

Maybe I'll give it a shot next time, but not before I put some peroxide and bandaids in the boat!  

[daviscw]

Man, sometimes I feel like I'd rather have a treble hook stuck in my hand than have that awful feeling in my stomach for the next 2 days!