How Many MONSTAHS Did It TAKE,,,,,,,,,,

[emgred]

Second the heavier tackle. Don't forget to upgrade Hooks, Split rings, etc. Keep the hooks sharp. Rear hook - make a flag or use a siwash - Less likely a big girl will get leverage to pop the front hook.

[FormerUser]

I've been at this for a long time and 26lber is the best I have to show.
I've lost count of the 30+lbers I've lost,its been so many its sickening.
Most have unhooked themselves literally right at the waterline.

Someday I keep telling myself.

[Sea Dangles]

How do you know they are monsters getting away if you have never caught one and you never get to see the fish? I have had outings where I cach fish in the 40 lb. class only to think the next one is bigger because it fights harder. When it comes time to lip it, the harder fighting fish is mid 20's.
Patience is an important attribute when fighting large fish. Let the rod and reel work for you,don't try to horse it through the guides.

[FormerUser]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

How do you know they are monsters getting away if you have never caught one and you never get to see the fish? I have had outings where I cach fish in the 40 lb. class only to think the next one is bigger because it fights harder. When it comes time to lip it, the harder fighting fish is mid 20's.
Patience is an important attribute when fighting large fish. Let the rod and reel work for you,don't try to horse it through the guides.

In my case I've seen many of the fish,some of which I was reaching down to actually grab.

Trust some of these fish were HUGE.

[Slingah]

I am lucky...I went from dinks to cows right off the bat in the 90's...big girls were abundant to where I was taken and I stepped up as I was told and got heavy equipment....I can honestly say we landed almost every large we hooked, for years....it was sandy beaches, eels, sharp hooks and alot of time spent...it was easy.
For the past 5 years or so...things have taken a step backwards. I say due to lack of fish in those spots (seals), not fishing eels that often and not playing the fish right when hooked up in shallow rocky areas. I have had alot of heartbreakers the past few....

[steve]

Basswipe, something is radically wrong if you are losing alot of big fish at that late stage of the fight. Be more specific. Also, I agree with Seadangles, unless you see the fish, you really never know how big they are. It seems like every season I'll catch a fish and think it's alot bigger until I get it close and land it. Believe me, I been "disappointed" with 38 pound fish that fought and felt like much, much bigger bass. The scale is THE true tell.

[FormerUser]

Originally Posted by steve

Basswipe, something is radically wrong if you are losing alot of big fish at that late stage of the fight. Be more specific. Also, I agree with Seadangles, unless you see the fish, you really never know how big they are. It seems like every season I'll catch a fish and think it's alot bigger until I get it close and land it. Believe me, I been "disappointed" with 38 pound fish that fought and felt like much, much bigger bass. The scale is THE true tell.

Radically wrong is an understatement.I've had reels explode,rods shatter,line snap.I've fallen on my ass or gone for an unintentional swim with fish on.I've had 6xVMCs straighten out.I'm no slouch on gear and maintenance.Everything gets checked on a regular basis.

And yet I've landed literally several dozen 18+ pound bluefish.In one particular instance several 20+(one was tipped the scale at just over 22) with no issues.I know the weights to be accurate as a majority of the 20+ fish were actually weighed.

Landing big bass just seem to elude me.

[steve]

Boy basswipe, that's too bad. You have some rotten luck!

[Raider Ronnie]

Originally Posted by basswipe

Radically wrong is an understatement.I've had reels explode,rods shatter,line snap.I've fallen on my ass or gone for an unintentional swim with fish on.I've had 6xVMCs straighten out.I'm no slouch on gear and maintenance.Everything gets checked on a regular basis.

And yet I've landed literally several dozen 18+ pound bluefish.In one particular instance several 20+(one was tipped the scale at just over 22) with no issues.I know the weights to be accurate as a majority of the 20+ fish were actually weighed.

Landing big bass just seem to elude me.

6xVMCs don't straighten out !
Anyone who uses them knows that.
The break or snap !

[luds]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

How do you know they are monsters getting away if you have never caught one and you never get to see the fish? I have had outings where I cach fish in the 40 lb. class only to think the next one is bigger because it fights harder. When it comes time to lip it, the harder fighting fish is mid 20's.
Patience is an important attribute when fighting large fish. Let the rod and reel work for you,don't try to horse it through the guides.

Exactly.....It's not a monster until it's at your feet on dry land or in your hands when you're in the water.. Heavy tackle, quick reaction, smart decision making, patience, appropriate pressure, and a good hook set all play a role.