The One That Got Away

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

It happened to me this year, in front of a lot of good fishermen too!Some schools with a good class of fish had been discovered by some hard working friends at a certain tide stage.A group of us met for some early season action but it started quietly.An hour or more of nothing and then one by one rods started folding.I thought I was prepared with a stout stick and heavy braid.Many fish well into the 30# range had been battled with ease when suddenly I required more space.This fish could not be contained as easily as the others.Run after run as the crowd awaited proof of this battle.Then it was over.Gone,except for my slack line.A straightened out crap hook on an ill-conceived TSUNAMI shad with its TINY friggin' barb.Sleepless nights followed and now it is cold and my season is over.Do not over tighten your drag.Let the fish get tired.I like to think next time I'll get a picture with that fish and a lesson was learned.
Who else lost a big one this year?

That'll teach you to taunt Tattoo, his overtightened drag, and "Bassmaster Pro Trail" fish fighting style. The curse of the angry man. Next year we'll all have the 9" Pastrami shad with the 11/0 shark hook, 80# braid, a 30W and tuna sticks in case those fish return. At least I will. The monkey will f' the football on a dark moon in late May for sure.

That said I've never lost as many unstoppable fish as I did this year, several due to foolish mistakes.

[ThrowingTimber]

oh gawd yea and it didnt hit me til a few days later. Not a big fan of cut hooks anymore oke: gawd it hurt... I hook up waaaaay out. This thing was in full command the whole time. Running.. and Im holding on ok dont mess this up... slows down.. ok pump it in slow... zzzzzzzziiiiiiit gone again ok runnin let er go... slows ok...pump it in... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzziiiiitttttt.. slows ok pump it in... ha.. still slow pump it in... wait for it.. aha no run!! pump it in... some 200yds later... Wow that was a big bulge in the water I think it just came to the surface... *thinking to myself, I could put a saddle on this thing* ok remain calm.. pump it in... ok its close I know exactly where its being landed.. walk down.. Heres the fatal flaw.. didnt loosen the drag.... I take a wrap on the leader because I cant reach all the way down without someone holding my ankles...... wow this is bigger than I thought.... ***POP**** cut hook opens SPLASH