Bassnajr Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 I went out to a local lake today alone to practice my jig techniques. A beautiful fall day, and as I headed out, I felt like something good was going to happen. I traveresed the lake, North to South, and East to West for about three hours....nothing. I put down the jig and tried pretty much every other bait I had; swimbaits, spinnerbaits, worms, cranks....well, you get the picture. I decided to wrap up the day. I put all my gear away, except for my jig rod, which was still ready to go. I found a small lay down, and figured I'd practice NOT getting caught up! I pitched my jig next to the laydown, once...nothing. Second time, I let it lay on the bottom in about 18' of water and shook the rod tip. it was then I saw a large "log" move toward the jig. I watched as a bass which would have easily become my new personal best "sucked" the jig into its mouth. I stayed calm, reeled in the slack, and set the hook!!! This monster (I estimate around 6 lbs.) was mine!!! Only one problem....I had not set the drag I heard the line come off the reel and the saw the monster spit the jig. I fished the lay down for another 1/2 hour of course with no luck. I came home and told the heartbreaking story to my wife and three daughters. They said "We don't get. We don't know why you catch fish and then throw them back anyway, so what's the big deal!" So I end up here, where I know my BR family will comiserate with me. No need to call me an idiot, or unprepared, or stupid.....I already know that. I just hope that beauty doesn't travel too far from that laydown and maybe, just maybe, I get another chance. Well, off to throw up. :-[ ajr Quote
BassinWill301 Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 Wow that sucks man. I have had the same thing happen to me, but it was not on a fish that big. Dont worry about it though, she will be right back at that laydown ready to bite soon. Quote
daviscw Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 Quote I went out to a local lake today alone to practice my jig techniques. A beautiful fall day, and as I headed out, I felt like something good was going to happen. I traveresed the lake, North to South, and East to West for about three hours....nothing. I put down the jig and tried pretty much every other bait I had; swimbaits, spinnerbaits, worms, cranks....well, you get the picture. I decided to wrap up the day. I put all my gear away, except for my jig rod, which was still ready to go. I found a small lay down, and figured I'd practice NOT getting caught up! I pitched my jig next to the laydown, once...nothing. Second time, I let it lay on the bottom in about 18' of water and shook the rod tip. it was then I saw a large "log" move toward the jig. I watched as a bass which would have easily become my new personal best "sucked" the jig into its mouth. I stayed calm, reeled in the slack, and set the hook!!! This monster (I estimate around 6 lbs.) was mine!!! Only one problem....I had not set the drag I heard the line come off the reel and the saw the monster spit the jig. I fished the lay down for another 1/2 hour of course with no luck. I came home and told the heartbreaking story to my wife and three daughters. They said "We don't get. We don't know why you catch fish and then throw them back anyway, so what's the big deal!" So I end up here, where I know my BR family will comiserate with me. No need to call me an idiot, or unprepared, or stupid.....I already know that. I just hope that beauty doesn't travel too far from that laydown and maybe, just maybe, I get another chance. Well, off to throw up. :-[ ajr That's the best way to learn, man! Keep fishin' hard, you'll get her! Quote
moloch16 Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 Had the same thing happen to me earlier this year. Fish dug into the grass and came off while I adjusted the drag :-/ Quote
memo43 Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D If it makes you feel better, I had a nice one take my line out completely...... I had about 20-30 yds of line on my bait-caster (I was learning it) Same thing flipped a jig a few times to a lay down, on the last flip I forgot to lock the spool in when a nice one picked up my jig an swam away with it, I was waiting to feel the weight before i set the hook..... but since the spool was still open he took off with my jig, an my line. I was stuck on the back kicking myself in the ^*&%&* with no line an no fish. > > > It's not the amount of fish or the size. It's the fact that we do it an have fun with it. memo Quote
Super User Tin Posted October 13, 2008 Super User Posted October 13, 2008 It could have been much worse. You could have been in a tournament and done that, then come in second to me by an ounce. ;D Quote
Super User Sam Posted October 13, 2008 Super User Posted October 13, 2008 Forgeting to set the drag also happened to me. It happened on Lake Gaston in our club's first tournament of the year. I just plain forgot to set the drag. Totally my fault. She hit one of my favorite crankbaits and took off. She headed west, then east, then under the boat where the line snapped. She is probably in Chicago by now, along with my favorite crankbait. Friend caught a seven pound lady an hour later in the same vicinity. He had his drag set correctly. He won big fish and the tournament. Live and learn! Quote
HOIST-N-HAWGS Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 We've all been there Alan! Please try to mimic your experience during one of our club T's next year ;D Could have been worse, I've been out twice in two weeks.........skunked both times. > Quote
Super User Bankbeater Posted October 13, 2008 Super User Posted October 13, 2008 Been there done that. Hope never to do it again. Quote
Big-O Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 It's a lake.....She'll be back!!!! You will be too. Big O www.ragetail.com Quote
Super User grimlin Posted October 13, 2008 Super User Posted October 13, 2008 Happens to the best of us. Try having what seems like a personal best throw your tube,then for the rest of the season you can't seem to find any bigger fish over 1 pound. Almost like a curse.That's how my fishing went since late spring/early summer. Quote
Sharkbite Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 well yesterday what happened to was. I was fishing all day and not eveen a bite. We then decided to move and while riding around I spotted a weed bed sumerged and emerged weeds. I started by thowing 5'' trick stick on a 1/4 oz slidder over the bed then I went to the side of the bed. Then boom My rod was bending and the we seen the bass come up and turn to the side he was fighting so put my rod tip down a bit. Then he shook and threw the hook and I then relized I never set the hook LOL. It was fun though and I'll be back there very soon. So next time I know to remember to set the hook just like I'm sure you'll remember to put on the drag. Quote
Super User fishinfiend Posted October 13, 2008 Super User Posted October 13, 2008 It was probaly closer to 10lbs I am sorry to hear, but things like this happen sometimes. At least you know there is a big in there waiting on you. Quote
rondef Posted October 13, 2008 Posted October 13, 2008 Sorry to hear that you lost her. Just go back out and catch her, you know where she lives. Quote
=Matt 5.0= Posted October 14, 2008 Posted October 14, 2008 Alan, I can relate. Lost a monster in the middle of the night on a jig. Pulled drag like a ten pound bluefish, then jumped about 10' out from the boat and shook the jig out. One of the hazards of night fishing. Probably a good thing that we didn't see the fish. I sat there for about an hour trying to regain my composure. The sting goes away...only takes a 7.5 to make you forget. ;D 8-) Quote
slomoe Posted October 14, 2008 Posted October 14, 2008 ;D My buddy did the same thing last weekend. He was pretty upset. ;D Quote
Bass Hole Posted October 14, 2008 Posted October 14, 2008 sorry to hear this Alan. "some days your the windsheild and some days yout the bug" Just your turn to be the bug Better luck next time. I'm feeling like a windshield what local pond did you say it was? LOL Quote
Bassnajr Posted October 15, 2008 Author Posted October 15, 2008 BH... It's archery season and you need to concentrate on that, remember???? ajr Quote
Bass Hole Posted October 15, 2008 Posted October 15, 2008 we are in that short window were thay overlap. where was that pond again. lol Quote
Super User Long Mike Posted October 15, 2008 Super User Posted October 15, 2008 How about forgeting to set the "anti-back-spin" switch on your spinning reel? You try to set the hook and your reel starts spinning backwards at a frantic pace. Result? No fish, and a backlash the size of a baseball. I've never done that of course. :-[ Quote
Low_Budget_Hooker Posted October 15, 2008 Posted October 15, 2008 Quote We've all been there Alan! Please try to mimic your experience during one of our club T's next year ;D Could have been worse, I've been out twice in two weeks.........skunked both times. > 3x for me, couple Pickerel, that's it. At least your persistence got you the call to begin with. Quote
Super User Redlinerobert Posted October 20, 2008 Super User Posted October 20, 2008 That's happened to me, more than once. ;D You'll make up for it with a bigger fish. Quote
flatbass Posted October 22, 2008 Posted October 22, 2008 Like Forest Gump said "stuff happens". I've done that more than once. Quote
Bassnajr Posted October 22, 2008 Author Posted October 22, 2008 UPDATE: I have hit the spot twice since posting...no go. I WILL keep on trying and expand the area a little bit looking for the HAWG!!! Thanks for all the condolences!!! ajr Quote
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