Thought I had a big one

[sabass]

Was using an 8" shallow running crankbait. On the 2nd cast I threw it out there, landed, waited a split second and gave 2 quick light twitches. Fish EXPLODED on the lure. With as hard as it hit the surface I thought for sure it was either a 10 pounder or a gator. Boy was I surprised when I started cranking and quickly got the 3 pounder up on a plane. Prolly the fastest retrieve I've had from 80 feet. When the fish dove I set the hook, and started reeling down. Expecting a huge fish I was expecting more resistance so when I didn't feel that much resistance I thought the fish may have been swimming towards me so I kept on cranking fast and hard. After a couple seconds in the fight, the fish came up on a plain with me cranking so I just kept on and the fish came straight to the boat like I was reeling in a buzzbait. Boy was I disappointed. 3 pounds.

[oldfisherman]

man i don't know where you fish but is must be great when you get disappointed catching 3 pounders : ;D

[keeb]

haha ya sometimes there first tuggs can be powerful for their size.

[sabass]

the TUG wasn't powerful, the explosion on top of the water is what fooled me. never had a fish explode on the top that hard before and i've caught quite a few 4-6 pounders on topwaters.

[jglassguy]

Nice Catch
Ya ever notice how sometimes the bigger fish will just inhale the bait with no explosion, yet once they know they are hooked they take a giant run...
anyways I would love to get a 3 or 4 pounder anyday!

[j-luttru]

I've had a few bigger fish barely slurp the lure under and had little fish make huge splashes! But either one is fun.

[jglassguy]

I know what you mean,
I always look at a 10-13 inch bass as a "Juvenile"..
They tend to hit more aggressively and often than the wiser and older 2-3 pounder, plus give that initial great pull of the line

[mallard]

I also find the 10-14 inch range fights hardest. Until you get up above 20.