The Pig That Will Live Only In Memory

[Deep Jig]

I was fishing for dinks. I knew it even if I didn't want to admit it to myself, I just wanted some bites and to hold a few bass in my hands. So there I was, from shore, throwing a wacky-rigged flick shake worm on a small circle hook catching a bunch of dinks around 1-1.5 lbs. As I was dragging/hopping/swimming it back I would let the worm fall next to any structure I could see (very clear water).

In about 10 feet of water, I let it sit next to what looked like a big chunk of wood when the worm promptly disappeared. I thought it was current maybe that had pushed the worm into the wood, not so. What I thought was a big chunk of wood was a big female who had been sitting stock still for minutes. She swam slowly away until I put pressure on her and I got a head shake that I was sure would break my 6lb flouro. I have had 2 lb bass break this line when they rub their noses into the ground abrading the line. My heart was racing but all I could say to myself repetitively was "don't break, don't break..." I was in a bad spot, lots of rocks for the line to be cut on, 6 lb test on a huge bass, and she was full of energy. All the skill I've tried to cultivate in the two years of bass fishing I've had went into trying to manage her. She jumped. I had no choice but to give her at least some slack when she did lest she break the line.

I did not think I could land her because the shoreline would give her ample chance to throw the hook or bust off. I thought my only chance was to wade into the no-water-contact reservoir up to my knees and that's exactly what I did. Luck must have been with me because she soon swam right at me with a slightly opened mouth and I didn't waste the chance. I got my thumb in her mouth and... elation, jubilation, hallelujah! I had her and I wasn't letting go.

My previous personal best was a 7lb 5 oz California Delta toad, and this fish could have fit that fish's head in it's mouth or so it felt. I unhooked her and dropped my rod on the shore to pull my cell phone out of my pocket and get a video of this personal best and brute I had just landed. Disaster, heart ache, and ruination... my cell phone was out of battery. I am not the kind to hoot and holler but that is exactly what I started doing hoping someone within earshot would hear me and have something to take a picture with (I had her in the water at this point). After about a minute I realized no one could hear me, I choose to fish where I do partially for the remoteness of the location (no roads, no boats, no water contact, no bikes allowed).

I weighed her. 9 lbs 14 ounces. There was, for a moment, a thought of keeping her as proof, but only a moment. I let her go and she sat there in the water for a moment before she realized she was free, when she did, she bolted off into the deep. I have no pictures or video to show for it. No way to share the experience in the most visceral of ways other than to relate it with words. Telling the story to any who will listen (or read) and may disbelieve feels better than not telling it at all.

[Fat-G]

You're an exceptional writer, my friend.

Well done, I felt like I was there.

[JamesH]

Hey man, I have had the same experience with personal bests. Not in the 9lb category but it was my pb and I had no camera. It is not fun and seems to ruin the experience a bit. But just think of all the toads that were caught before it was so convenient to carry a camera with you. No point not believing you, pb's are caught everyday. Now your goal is to go find a bigger bass so you do have your pb on film.

[Big-O]

No way to share the experience in the most visceral of ways other than to relate it with words. Telling the story to any who will listen (or read) and may disbelieve feels better than not telling it at all.

And you did a GREAT JOB for sure! I not only enjoyed reading your story, but also understand your thought process as well. It's times like this that make the biggest impressions on us as fishermen... A dream comes true yet we're still wishing or hoping that things could have been slightly different in some way!

Rest in the Moment Friend, and relish the Memory you've created. I think it's AWESOME

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[Grey Wolf]

That's the stuff that fond memories are made of , thanks for sharing.

[1234567]

Excellent story sir! I feel your pain as my top three biggest bass were caught alone with nobody to share the moment with.

[Tallent88]

Nice! I would have bn swimming too haha

[Dwight Hottle]

You are still living the dream. Big time memory & story too.

[figure8racer]

You've definately got a way with words. Congrats on the donkey and who knows you just might run into her again down the raod.

[Missouribassman95]

I believe you 110%! Nice story, and sounds like a beautiful fish!

[brushhoggin]

wow. 6 pound test in 10 fow in and around timber...no wonder you want proof!! thanks for sharing

[Long Mike]

A very well written story. I believe you!

[Deep Jig]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I'm still debating mentioning it to my bass club for the disbelief it will raise as I have the reputation of estimating fish in the water to weigh about twice what they do (due to my excitement of hooking them or the desire to) on the scale .

[00 mod]

Great fish and story! The day will come where you catch an even bigger one with a camera in hand!!!!

Jeff

[Bluebasser86]

That's a hard decision to make and I'd be willing to bet that plenty of people would have kept it just for proof. By turning it loose who knows, maybe you'll get her again when you have a camera and she's over 10lbs .

[SausageFingers]

Congrats! Great story as well.

[Fish Chris]

Deepjig, first off, congratulations on an awesome new PB !!!

But here's a few thoughts....

First off, even if your cell phone had had juice > it's a cell phone ! Not a real camera ! Friends don't let friends use a cell phone camera for the catch of a life time !

Second, you have to know about Murphy's law ! You can't only have one camera..... no matter how nice it is ! You have to have at least two little cameras, and extra batteries, at ALL times. I carry 4. And 3 scales.

Anyway, the good thing is, your 10+ is waiting...... for you to get everything together.... then to go stick her, and have a photo session

And BTW, big bass tend to be SOOO territorial, that their is a WAAY larger chance of you sticking that very same fish again, than most people would ever imagine. I know I wouldn't have even believed that myself > 15 years ago, before I had caught, released, re-caught, and re-released a whole bunch of big bass

Of course if you wait a year, their a good chance she will be your 10+

Again, congrats on that toad

Fish

[Fishing Cowgirl]

That's the stuff that fond memories are made of , thanks for sharing.

I agree 100%