Lost spinning combo. What are my chances?

[David Russell]

Today I finally had a chance to fish seriously for the first time in about three months. My friend hooked me up with a buddy of his who lives on a private lake that was recently deemed overstocked, so we were happy to help the cause and yank some fish. Little did I know, I'd actually be making a deposit into the lake in addition to our withdrawals.

My third bass was a beauty. I hooked up on a 5" GY Senko in green pumpkin and the fish initially felt HUGE. In fact, as I was fighting, the fish kept deep and had those very intentional movements like the big fish have. On closer inspection, I saw that a stick had broken off the laydown I had thrown into and was stick near the fish's mouth, with line wrapping it up. So what I thought would be my PB ended up being just a great fish. The scale said 3 lb, dead on. My fishing buddy thought 4, but I'll stick with the scale.

Anyway, I did want a photo, but my phone was dead, so I turned around to have my friend take a photo and when I did, I kicked my $150 combo into the lake. With the fish in one hand and the fact that the boat we were in was not something the Lord intended for me to throw my weight around on, I could only watch as the rod and reel sank out of sight.

It was the weirdest mix of emotions I have ever had. Elation about the potential lunker, calming down at the sight of reality and then a sick feeling in my gut losing my spinning combo. In fact, it seemed to sink in even more on the way home, no pun intended. This was my first combo I bought for myself when I got into fishing last year. So even though it's one of my most expensive pieces of gear, there's some sentimental attachment that I have now, too.

We dragged heavy-weighted treble hooks for about 45 minutes, until the light was nearly gone, but came up empty. We don't know for sure, but the water seemed to be about 10-12' where the rod and reel was lost and because this lake is not very large, we know roughly where it should be.

The property owner invited us back to search again and I'll take him up on it.

What are my chances of getting my gear back? Any ideas or tools that might help?

[B-Dozer]

Got a buddy with an underwater camera? If you marked the spot good, I'd go back and drag it some more. Good luck.

[OHIO]

There was a post on here a couple of weeks ago where a guy lost his combo and got it back the next day or something by dragging treble hooks.

I would say it's a long shot, but definitely worth it.

[David Russell]

I saw that post O H I O. I thought about replying there and still might, but wanted to share the story anyway. Perhaps that OP will look in here.

The owner of the place we fished said he had lost a couple in his years on the lake. One he never was able to retrieve, but the other he did get using a long pole and some sort of special hook on the end. I think he still has it, so we might give that a go. But it would be interesting to hear other ideas, especially ones that have worked.

[Bassn Blvd]

Mask and fins.  Tie a rope to ars and over you go.

[OHIO]

How clear is the water? You could try to dive in and get it if you want it bad enough.  ;D

[David Russell]

Oh I thought about going in. Water temps are pretty cool here now, but it would be worth it if I could find it quickly. So, that's not off the table. I'd just rather stay dry, if possible, and the water is not really that clear.

Here's the fish. This was taken after I knocked the rod and reel in the water, and I have no idea how I mustered such a smile. State of shock, I guess.

[shimmy]

If it bothers you that much, it almost is worth the mask and fins idea. Either way, great job on the fish, must have been a great feeling thinking that it could have been a PB. Made the battle great i am sure. Get in their scuba steve and take back what is rightfully yours.

[OHIO]

At least you lost it after catching a great fish instead of a little dink.

I would try for as long as possible to get back a combo if I lost one, but that's just me.

Your not wasting anything trying to find it and at least you will be out on the water.

[fishfordollars]

Cane pole and wrap a treble on the end. Go for it and good luck.

[B-Dozer]

Cane pole and wrap a treble on the end. Go for it and good luck.

Good idea, or if you have one of those expandable pruning poles, that might work.

[revoman]

Had one of my casting combos go overboard,used one of those metal stringer with the hooks opened up and a weight on the end.

Took about twenty minuets of dragging the bottom but I did get it back.

[David Russell]

Well, a few weeks ago I managed to dredge up this rod and reel! It was pretty awesome to find it.

It took about 90 minutes using a contraption built from trot line, saltwater weights and large treble hooks. I pulled up lots of debris and had almost reached my last desire to keep after it when I pulled up a small branch and reached down to pull it free. That's when I saw the very tip of the rod poking out of the water, grabbed it and hoisted it back in the boat.

It was underwater for something like 3 months (over winter.) Once I got it home and started cleaning on it, I began to realize that the rod and reel would likely be just fine. I took it completely apart and cleaned then dried everything.

A few days later, I was back out with this rig and catching fish. Pretty cool.

Before:

After:

[AndyPlaysDrums]

Nice! Congrats!

[hookingem]

Awesome! Yeah with a good cleaning the combo should be just fine. Probally should do the best cleaning you can do at home, and then sent it to DVT to get cleaned and lubed by a pro.