What is your favorite part of catching a big fish?

[.dsaavedra.]

what is your favorite part of catching a hawg?

i know my favorite part is setting the hook. there is nothin else like reelin up the slack and swingin your rod back as hard as you can, and feelin a nice solid fish on the recieving end.

[Rubi22]

I voted for "landing the fish and taking a good look at it", but it's a close race with "fighting the fish". In my opinion, it's two different kinds of satisfaction. Fighting the fish is the hyped-up adrenaline rush that still allows for a chance of failure (losing the fish), so a bit of excitement and nervousness combine for that adrenaline rush.

Then again, holding up that hog for a picture is a totally different feeling (that of success).

Kind of like when I played sports as a kid: The act of playing was by far the most exciting, but some of the best times I remember happened after winning the divisional playoffs and celebrating.

Cliff-notes version: Where's the "all of the above" option?  ;D

[Andrew Coleman]

i like the fight the most, it's sometimes like a suprise bag, some small bass feel like there 4x the size they really are, and then ive had a few really big ones that almost don't fight at all, just a few shakes here and there, so when the fish jumps or you land him is when you get to see what ya won, fighting the fish gets my adrenaline going

[JShrock07]

I think "setting the hook" is my favorite part!!

At least when you set the hook you know automatically if you will be happy for that split second or totally ticked off for the rest of the day knowing you missed what "could have been" the biggest fish of the day!!!

Thats just the way I look at it... Fighting the fish is one of my least favorite parts since there is such a margin for error here. I see so many guys lose a nice fish during the fight. ;D

[Redlinerobert]

My favorite part is an option you didnt list.  The first site of her in the water.  

[David P]

I voted "  I don't know I've never caught a big fish ".

Favorite part in general for any size fish is the bite, but if we're talking big fish in general. I'd agree with Robert. Seeing the first glimpse of her and saying, GET THE NET ITS A BIG ONE.

[burleytog]

Smell my fingers...

[BASS fisherman]

For me it's getting her in and grabbing her lip.  The fight is fun, but nerve racking, because if I loose her I'll be beating myself up over it,-especially in a tournament.  

[paul.]

i like all of it, but my favorite is landing and admiring i guess.  i don't guess it's officially caught until you do that.  just a wild guess here dave, but i bet losing the fish don't get many votes. ;D

[weknowhowtolive]

My favorite part is an option you didnt list. The first site of her in the water.

Thats mine so I picked the fight. Nothing like when you hook up and start pulling it in and you see that giant mouth splash in the water.

[Sam]

Putting that baby in the boat and looking at her and then changing my pants after I get my heart beat back to normal and catching my breath.

[Catt]

I like it all no matter the out come, even losing one during the fight; I look at this way yea I could have missed the pain but would have had to miss the dance.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

what is your favorite part of catching a hawg?

i know my favorite part is setting the hook. there is nothin else like reelin up the slack and swingin your rod back as hard as you can, and feelin a nice solid fish on the recieving end.

X2 Setting the hook.  When it just feels like a log and the first split second you can't tell if its a snag until it starts to rip the rod from your hands.

[TheBeast]

I voted for "landing and taking a good look", I have lost to many big fish 10 foot or less from the boat that landing it has to be the best.  

[roadwarrior]

For me, it's screaming drag!

When a big brown fish sees

the boat for the first time,

GAME ON!

I love to watch them jump and run.

8-)

[fishfordollars]

You know it's on when you hit the fish and instead of draging it five feet it starts up, down, and/or away from you

[Lucky Craft Man]

My favorite part of catching a nice fish is not on your poll.  My favorite part is "Admiring a Nice Photo of the Fish Years Later" All the items you listed are what make up catching a big fish enjoyable (except for "Losing The Fish During a Fight".  I don't know how that made the list), but looking at a nice photo really helps me remember an event that might take a few minutes to happen (and usually my adrenaline is running so high, I can't truly appreciate the moment).

[roadwarrior]

Off topic...

Lucky Craft Man,

You have a GREAT avatar!

8-)

[Siebert Outdoors]

The acomplishment.

[Lucky Craft Man]

Off topic...

Lucky Craft Man,

You have a GREAT avatar!

8-)

Thanks RW, but I would switch you in a second.  Let me hold a 7lb. and 8lb. Smallmouth and you can have my dinky little stock photo of a 3 pounder jumping.

[Cory20]

My favorite part is when they splash you as you release them, it always makes me smile.  

When they give a splash and head back to the the depths, it's over, and I'm fired up for the next one.  

[Hooked_On_Bass]

I voted "landing the fish and taking a good look at it".

[fishbear]

For me it is the fight.  Love to feel the fish surging, pulling drag, the rod pumping up and down,  etc..

I dont tighten my drag down as much as most people do probably, because I love to hear that drag sing.  That is the most fun for me, hands down.  Even if it costs me a fish or two.

[WRB]

How do you catch a big fish if you loose it? The goal is to land it, everything else is is just fishing.

WRB

[TournyFish001]

Its all a thrill but the satisfaction of landing  a big fish is like no other feeling- especially in a tournament $$$$