how upset do you get when you lose a fish?

[K_Mac]

Quillback has nailed it for all of us.

Although I still get upset if I lose a dink.

Quillback may speak for you, but lsufan334 speaks for me. ;D

[fishermantony]

One of the most agonizing videos to watch is day 2 of the 2008 Bass Master Classic. Charlie Hartley led after the first day and on day 2 he hooked into and lost 2 REAL good fish while fishing docks. His reaction after the first one hurts to watch, he keels over like he got punched in the stomach, it was so genuine, I couldn't even imagine losing one like that on that stage. I believe what some others have said, shake it off and keep fishing, haven't seen anyone do it better than KVD, he is so focused. There's many more to come for you, just keep casting, it's part of the game.

Watching Charlie lose those fish was just painful. Going in he had kind of a fatalistic attitude IMO that played itself out over the course of the day. There were a lot of people, including many of the pros who were pulling for him. It was a shame he could not pull off the win.

I like him. I read his "Bass Wars" blog on Bassmaster and always look for his name in the standings. By fatalistic do you mean a lack of confidence in himself going into that second day, feeling like he just didn't belong at the top? I know he mentioned the "disappearing Charlie" nickname his wife gave him for bringing in a big bag on the first day and not following through after that. I'm rooting for him to stay qualified for the Elite Series and Classic and pulling off a win soon!

Yes that is exactly what I mean. I am not one of those guys that believe by saying, "I'm going to be rich, good looking, and healthy," makes it so. I do believe Charlie had some serious doubts about being able to close the deal, and those doubts effected his attitude and performance. I am also a fan and wish him well.

I think Charlie 's story is a good example of why it's important to maintain an even keel when you lose a fish or something goes wrong. Watch KVD when he loses a fish. He May grumble a bit, but he never loses focus and his lure is immediately back in the water.

Very well said, thanks for sharing.  BTW I'm from Illinois originally, right outside of Chicago.  Take Care, hope to chat again soon.

[bigbill]

I have one more experience with missing fish and losing lures.  Right at first dawn when the sky is starting to light up at one spot i have lost many lures because the strike is so violent.  It just ripps the lure off my line everytime.  I'm using a 07 blue rapala or one of my redcraw cranks.  I never get to even see the fish.  I actually avoid that spot now.  My buddy's have lost lures there too at different times. I'm not sure if its a freshwater otter, big pickerel or a big smallie but the strike is so fast and voilent.  I need to go back there with heavier tackle and a wire leader next.                                      Bill

[ww2farmer]

I have lost big fish fun fishing and in tournaments. I want to put big fish in the boat no matter what, my reaction is the same either way. Usually a "d**n it!!" a little louder than my normal voice. Then right back to fishing.

Yeah breaking gear and tossing things in the lake and going "Ike" is super cool  :

[mferris]

last week after losing my 3rd good size bass on a crankbait i broke my falcon cara on the side of the boat...plus the bill on my dt 4 broke off also,needless to say i'm having a frustrating year and that just topped it off!!!!  i hope i don't break anything else this year!!!

[ShaneK1990]

I usually get over the lost ones pretty quick. THEYRE ALWAYS HUGE THOUGH! lol

[Casca]

if it's a good fish and it just comes undone i feel like i've been punched in the stomach but not mad. if the knot slips then i'm fuming!!!

[pudmunk]

It's frustrating, but no hissy fits yet

[Bass Fisher55]

I get pretty upset, it takes me a whole day to forget about it.  Maybe a three days if it was a monster.  If it's a big fish it just goes down in my book as another fish story.

What I also hate is when I lose one of my favorite lures.  I lost a bomber crankbait that I will never be able to buy again, it was a rainbow trout color crankbait.

[Bankbeater]

Happened to me last year.  If there had not been a family with little kids about 50 yards away I believe that I would have cut loose with the cuss words.

[salmicropterus]

Depends on whether it is a tournament or not and even then whether of not it was due to a "controllable" like an equipment failure or a failure in technique. Then I can get a slow burn going for awhile. This is better though then when I played golf and broke some clubs or when I raced and someone would take me out and I would do the same for revenge LOL.

[D4u2s0t]

I lost a fish last weekend, this thing hit like a ton of bricks... It felt like the biggest fish i've ever caught in my lake, all of a sudden it jumped, looked like it was about 11 inches.... I don't understand??? My rod was bent in half like you couldn't believe. I got only a very quick glimpse as I watched it spit my lure, but I couldn't believe what seemed like such a small fish would pull like that... literally almost yanked the rod out of my hands. I sat there with my jaw on the floor for about 5 minutes lol.

I usually don't get too upset about losing a fish though, it's a part of fishing, and sometimes happens. Of course I don't enjoy it, but I don't beat myself up too much about it.

[arul]

I get ticked and stew about it for a long time... I am still not over fish I have lost over 2 years ago....