Yes it pains me and also adds to my knowledge. The first really large I dropped left me with mangled hooks. I have gone to 3x and 4x hooks ever since. The last "nice" fish I lost, ran my line over some rocks before I could turn her head. I now fish that rip from a different rock that gives me a better shot at turning a fish before the rocks get really bad. The fish in my sig pic was taken from the new rock only 45 minutes after the breakoff.:laugha:

I dropped a fish that made the 52 I got look small two years ago about 4 feet from me. I didn't scream or swear; I didn't cry. I just went home and drank for 3 days! That fish still haunts me in my dreams. What a moster of a bass!! Golden's words were something like "Holy Fu*& dude! That Mother fu$%^& is enormous!" Then the swivel let go. End of story. I have to start drinking again! :gu::bc::bc:

Still HAUNTS me to this day. 3oclock in the AM parked across from the coastguard station. walked down an turned right an made the walk all the way out. was using fresh SANDEELS at that time.a friend would leave them out . so I could swing by an pick them up early. Just befor day break, it HAPPNED this fish ran me DOWN the beach. stopped an never moved. I walked into the water trying to get more line. NOTHING.she would take a few feet then stop. an few more an stop again. I tried pulling different way w/ the rod. an all that did was get her MAD:doh: I had this fish on for about 1/2 hour. My buddy looked at me an said, you going to FISH or STAND here all MORNING! made one more try started pulling an walking back up the beach.That was all it took SHE had enough also. started swimming into deep water an taking all the line I had. pointed the rod at her an said :wavey: BUY-BUY:wavey: Ive also been SPOOLED w/ my FLY ROD a couple time BUT thats another STORY:o
GOOD LUCK GOOD PLUGGIN:cheers: