Not sure what I could have done different

cassidyta · 03-29-09, 09:11 PM

Went down to the lake for some afternoon swim bait tossing. Managed to get a couple of 3-4 lbs fish, but it was a very slow day. I made my way into the shallows, looking for a couple of pre-spawn girls.
The water level is about 6 foot high, so my normal shade trees are now submerged upto the leaves. As I was surveying the area, I saw a shadow that should have belonged to a carp or catfish. This beast was massive. I won't try to put an exact weight on her, but I am confident she made it into double digits. Since she was hunkered down along the now covered trees, I knew the swim bait was out.
I started off with a blue gill colored spinner and she showed some interest on the first two casts, but that faded. I switched over to pitching T-rigged baits. The whole time, she just moved back and forth around the tree. Finally, I switched over to a fat IKA. On the second pitch, she opened her mouth and the bait disappeared. I dropped the rod tip, waited till I felt her on the line and crossed her eyes with the hook set.
What I could not do however was turn her head to my side of that tree. She went over one branch, under the other, and just like that I was holding a broken line. I have replayed it in my head most of the afternoon and for the life of me I think I would have done the same thing again. I am not usually one to be upset about a lost fish, but this one hurt.

17lbs Seaguar fluoro on a Revo/St Croix combo. 5/0 gami hook with a palomar knot.

I know some will say that I should have used Braid, but in the trees like that, I would rather break off than beat her head against the stumps. I use the braid in thick grasses and tullies where it won't hurt the fish to pull through it.

bamabassman · 03-29-09, 09:18 PM

well i can't think of anything i would've done different either cass. maybe you'll get her next time pal. and then you can get back the first bait. there is a doulble digit bass in a cartain patch of gater vine here that has 2 zoom lizards honging outta it's mouth. 1 punkinseed, 1 mardi gras. i AM going after it this year.

bcklash · 03-29-09, 09:29 PM

you knoooow where she lives. ATTACK ATTACK

MrPhotographer06 · 03-29-09, 09:45 PM

my pb.. i guess you can consider it double digits, i could have probally reached in the water with my rod and hit it, but i did it sportsman like

abu4600 · 03-29-09, 09:48 PM

You got her number now cass. You will get her sooner or later. BTW I think you did everything right.

VinnyH · 03-29-09, 09:50 PM

One of the cool things about fishing is all the stories we get to repeat in our heads and to our friends. Maybe you'll get that fish in the next chapter.

Best Always,
Vinny

cassidyta · 03-29-09, 11:03 PM

Yep, I know where she calls home during this higher water. When the guys in the other boat saw me break off they asked if it was a big one. I simply lit of a cigerette, shrugged and said I am pretty sure she went over 3. They went on fishing their spot. The lake has put up 3 over 15lbs this year, so a 3 did not interest anyone.

I think next time I will go ahead and try to hit the outer branches with the huddle trout before pitching to the center of the tree. Maybe lure her out a little more away from the tree.
I am not angry at losing her, just disappointed. But of course that is what brings us back. If they all bit and got landed we might get bored with it.

MississippiBoy · 03-29-09, 11:15 PM

How heavy of a rod were you using? Maybe one with a little more backbone would've let you turn her.

cassidyta · 03-29-09, 11:41 PM

It was a MH rod. Not my flipping stick, but it has a decent abount of backbone on it. Good point though, next time I will take the flipping stick. In hindsight, I probably could have used the 8' swimbait rod as well.

shutupnfish · 03-30-09, 07:31 AM

Only thing I woulda done different is cussed like hell. I might have even broke somethin' too. Other than that, I believe you did all you could. You'll get her next go 'round.

Steve

fishin spro · 03-30-09, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shutupnfish

Only thing I woulda done different is cussed like hell. I might have even broke somethin' too. Other than that, I believe you did all you could. You'll get her next go 'round.

Steve

im with shutupnfish...i believe i would have embarassed whoever was with me.lol

only thing you could have done diff. was to break out the bow fishin rig

Jigger · 03-30-09, 10:20 AM

Two options in that situation. Option one, use a heavy stick, stout line, tight drag and get their head turned and hoist them out asap. Option two, set the hook and then let 'em go and try to finesse them out without much pressure then once they swim out, apply the pressure.

I've never had much success with option two. I like to get their head turned and coming then when I get them out of the tangle, loosen up on the drag if it's a big one and play it in open water. By doing it this way, you shock 'em and get 'em coming before they have a chance to get sideways or turned around on you. It's a guessing game. If I apply the pressure up front and break one off I always think I should have finessed it and if I finesse one and it gets wrapped up and breaks off, I think I should have pressured it. For the most part though, when I stick one in heavy cover I apply as much pressure as I think the line will stand and try to turn its head before it can get sideways and get leverage on me.

Sounds like you did it right. Maybe when you go back, use a heavier stick and stouter line.

mlsjs2 · 03-30-09, 11:30 AM

i bet you did it right...even the best lose em...i recall KVD talking one day about how many he has lost in a tournament.

aikenyounggun · 03-30-09, 02:06 PM

yeah i dont really understand your notion of banging the fishes head into wood.... i mean they aint stupid ..... they will try not to let there head get smashed against the wood...... but yeah throw braid or get a bigger rod...

you will catch her soon

what is this about 3 15+ lber thing??? i think i might come visit you..... that is insane... you would never see that in SC

doc · 03-30-09, 02:11 PM

You did right cass, to catch one that big you have to have the fishing gods on your side also. Sometimes it doesn't matter if you do everthing right, if it's not in the cards for that day.

Now go sacrafice a chicken and get back out there!

cassidyta · 03-30-09, 02:24 PM

In hindsight, here are the couple of things I am going to do differently.
I will toss my swimbaits around the edges first. She was sitting in a fairly protected area under the branches of the tree.
I hadn't done this that day because I was not sure of the area. I will also move another reel onto one of my swimbait rods. The reel I have is great for the swimbaits, but does not handle pitching well.
Additionally, I don't plan to get as close to the tree on initial contact. I more or less stumbled upon her.
This resevoir is closed to fishing on Monday and Tuesdays, but I hope to head back out Wednesday evening.
Like Spro and SUandfish said, I considered cussing and even throwin something. Since the resevoirs are so small, I didn't want to draw attention ot the area. I have seen way to many times that other people with rods (I refuse to say they are fishermen) will cast on your spot if they think there is a hawg in there.

Bassboss · 03-30-09, 02:37 PM

That's a bummer cass!

You could have tried fireing up the troll motor and put in revers, backed out of the trees and the tried pulling her up from their. That's all I can think of other than using braid!

Oh! You could have tried going what Ike would have done....... oh.... wait... never mind!

03-29-09, 09:11 PM	#1
cassidyta BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,928	Not sure what I could have done different Went down to the lake for some afternoon swim bait tossing. Managed to get a couple of 3-4 lbs fish, but it was a very slow day. I made my way into the shallows, looking for a couple of pre-spawn girls. The water level is about 6 foot high, so my normal shade trees are now submerged upto the leaves. As I was surveying the area, I saw a shadow that should have belonged to a carp or catfish. This beast was massive. I won't try to put an exact weight on her, but I am confident she made it into double digits. Since she was hunkered down along the now covered trees, I knew the swim bait was out. I started off with a blue gill colored spinner and she showed some interest on the first two casts, but that faded. I switched over to pitching T-rigged baits. The whole time, she just moved back and forth around the tree. Finally, I switched over to a fat IKA. On the second pitch, she opened her mouth and the bait disappeared. I dropped the rod tip, waited till I felt her on the line and crossed her eyes with the hook set. What I could not do however was turn her head to my side of that tree. She went over one branch, under the other, and just like that I was holding a broken line. I have replayed it in my head most of the afternoon and for the life of me I think I would have done the same thing again. I am not usually one to be upset about a lost fish, but this one hurt. 17lbs Seaguar fluoro on a Revo/St Croix combo. 5/0 gami hook with a palomar knot. I know some will say that I should have used Braid, but in the trees like that, I would rather break off than beat her head against the stumps. I use the braid in thick grasses and tullies where it won't hurt the fish to pull through it. __________________ If you have ever wondered if you should retie, the answer is yes.

03-29-09, 09:18 PM	#2
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	well i can't think of anything i would've done different either cass. maybe you'll get her next time pal. and then you can get back the first bait. there is a doulble digit bass in a cartain patch of gater vine here that has 2 zoom lizards honging outta it's mouth. 1 punkinseed, 1 mardi gras. i AM going after it this year. __________________ so many lures, so little time.

03-29-09, 09:29 PM	#3
bcklash BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Elliston, Va. Posts: 4,372	you knoooow where she lives. ATTACK ATTACK __________________ The soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box. keep us free:

03-29-09, 09:45 PM	#4
MrPhotographer06 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fort Bragg, NC Posts: 2,096	my pb.. i guess you can consider it double digits, i could have probally reached in the water with my rod and hit it, but i did it sportsman like __________________ For Those I Love, I will Sacrifice: US Army since 2012

03-29-09, 09:50 PM	#6
VinnyH BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pleasantville, NY Posts: 30	Nice report... One of the cool things about fishing is all the stories we get to repeat in our heads and to our friends. Maybe you'll get that fish in the next chapter. Best Always, Vinny __________________ I fish the NYC Reservoirs targeting mainly bass. I volunteer with the DEP to help educate people about Kensico Reservoir, my local lake.

03-29-09, 09:48 PM	#5
abu4600 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brandon Mississippi Posts: 480	You got her number now cass. You will get her sooner or later. BTW I think you did everything right.

03-29-09, 11:03 PM	#7
cassidyta BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,928	Yep, I know where she calls home during this higher water. When the guys in the other boat saw me break off they asked if it was a big one. I simply lit of a cigerette, shrugged and said I am pretty sure she went over 3. They went on fishing their spot. The lake has put up 3 over 15lbs this year, so a 3 did not interest anyone. I think next time I will go ahead and try to hit the outer branches with the huddle trout before pitching to the center of the tree. Maybe lure her out a little more away from the tree. I am not angry at losing her, just disappointed. But of course that is what brings us back. If they all bit and got landed we might get bored with it. __________________ If you have ever wondered if you should retie, the answer is yes.

03-29-09, 11:15 PM	#8
MississippiBoy BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ridgeland MS Posts: 3,923	How heavy of a rod were you using? Maybe one with a little more backbone would've let you turn her. __________________ I smell smoke, and I hear sirens. Do you think that's a problem?

03-29-09, 11:41 PM	#9
cassidyta BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,928	It was a MH rod. Not my flipping stick, but it has a decent abount of backbone on it. Good point though, next time I will take the flipping stick. In hindsight, I probably could have used the 8' swimbait rod as well. __________________ If you have ever wondered if you should retie, the answer is yes.

03-30-09, 07:31 AM	#10
shutupnfish BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9	Only thing I woulda done different is cussed like hell. I might have even broke somethin' too. Other than that, I believe you did all you could. You'll get her next go 'round. Steve

03-30-09, 10:20 AM	#12
Jigger BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 490	Two options in that situation. Option one, use a heavy stick, stout line, tight drag and get their head turned and hoist them out asap. Option two, set the hook and then let 'em go and try to finesse them out without much pressure then once they swim out, apply the pressure. I've never had much success with option two. I like to get their head turned and coming then when I get them out of the tangle, loosen up on the drag if it's a big one and play it in open water. By doing it this way, you shock 'em and get 'em coming before they have a chance to get sideways or turned around on you. It's a guessing game. If I apply the pressure up front and break one off I always think I should have finessed it and if I finesse one and it gets wrapped up and breaks off, I think I should have pressured it. For the most part though, when I stick one in heavy cover I apply as much pressure as I think the line will stand and try to turn its head before it can get sideways and get leverage on me. Sounds like you did it right. Maybe when you go back, use a heavier stick and stouter line.

03-30-09, 11:30 AM	#13
mlsjs2 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 18	i bet you did it right...even the best lose em...i recall KVD talking one day about how many he has lost in a tournament.

03-30-09, 02:06 PM	#14
aikenyounggun BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: aiken, SC Posts: 2,051	yeah i dont really understand your notion of banging the fishes head into wood.... i mean they aint stupid ..... they will try not to let there head get smashed against the wood...... but yeah throw braid or get a bigger rod... you will catch her soon what is this about 3 15+ lber thing??? i think i might come visit you..... that is insane... you would never see that in SC __________________ <>< Rather be Fishing ><>

03-30-09, 02:11 PM	#15
doc BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,134	You did right cass, to catch one that big you have to have the fishing gods on your side also. Sometimes it doesn't matter if you do everthing right, if it's not in the cards for that day. Now go sacrafice a chicken and get back out there!

03-30-09, 02:24 PM	#16
cassidyta BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,928	In hindsight, here are the couple of things I am going to do differently. I will toss my swimbaits around the edges first. She was sitting in a fairly protected area under the branches of the tree. I hadn't done this that day because I was not sure of the area. I will also move another reel onto one of my swimbait rods. The reel I have is great for the swimbaits, but does not handle pitching well. Additionally, I don't plan to get as close to the tree on initial contact. I more or less stumbled upon her. This resevoir is closed to fishing on Monday and Tuesdays, but I hope to head back out Wednesday evening. Like Spro and SUandfish said, I considered cussing and even throwin something. Since the resevoirs are so small, I didn't want to draw attention ot the area. I have seen way to many times that other people with rods (I refuse to say they are fishermen) will cast on your spot if they think there is a hawg in there. __________________ If you have ever wondered if you should retie, the answer is yes.

03-30-09, 02:37 PM	#17
Bassboss BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Shawano, WI Posts: 7,761	That's a bummer cass! You could have tried fireing up the troll motor and put in revers, backed out of the trees and the tried pulling her up from their. That's all I can think of other than using braid! Oh! You could have tried going what Ike would have done....... oh.... wait... never mind! __________________ If you can't fix it with heavy squats or fish oil, you're probably going to die.

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