Lost One Last Night.. Regretting It

[Kawabuggy]

I only had 1 hour to fish last night.. I got to the pond @ 8P, and the park closes at 9P. I was in a big hurry to put my lure in the water. I cast 3 or 4 times in one area, but there were people close by feeding the ducks and they were making a racket so I moved.

I walked out onto a point that basically was sticking out into the water. Fallen tree in the water right at the waters edge. 1st cast (4" watermellon w/red fleck baby Tiki-rigged texas style) I let it settle to the bottom, waited about 30 seconds and gave it a couple twitches, BOOM-he was on!

I waited a couple seconds before setting the hook, then with a sweeping motion to the right I set the hook and the fight was on...!! It lasted all of about 10 seconds as I noticed that the line was no longer moving in the water, and the resistance on my pole was solid. Like a hang up. Well, I thought I had simply gotten hung up on the tree, but when I dropped the tip of my pole in disgust, and a little embarrassment, I noticed that my line immediately started taking off!!!! I again started reeling in the line, and again it stops dead once I reach a certain point.

It was obvious, I had a fish on, and he wrapped me up around a branch. I did not want the fish to die, so with nothing else to do, I cut the line and watched it disappear into the water.

What would you guys have done in this situation?