OWNED!!

[Back Beach]

There's a first time for everything, they say. This morning it was my turn to experience the pain. As my eel made its way into the "strike zone" I felt the unmistakable take of a fish followed by a couple head shakes and then it happened... My rod doubled over and I began paying out line.Big time. I typically fish a light drag, but began my attempt to snub the fish pretty soon after it became apparent it was no school bass, but perhaps a school bus. It was. Long story short my 250 yards of 65 power pro began to vanish from the spool. With plenty of room down tide I began a tepid walk in an attempt to catch up, several times standing pat trying to lock the fish down and I couldn't do it. Anyways, I start thinking I'm going to get spooled and flip on my head lamp only to see the backing knot buried under only a few turns of the spool. I know this is the weak link in the line system, but in six years of fishing braid and many good fish, I've never been taken even close to this deep.
Oh oh. Backing knot goes through the guides and now I'm effectively fishing with 25# mono as opposed to 65# braid. No more snubbing necessary as the line parted on the knot as expected after it came under great tension. I sat down on a large boulder and stared at the sky for a few minutes while my mind replayed the battle over and over. Looking back, I wouldn't have done anything different, but when I refill the reel tonight there may be a little less backing and a little more braid. Never had a fish take so much line without at least a temporary pause. What sucks is there is a nice fish out there with a long drail of line behind it and my fishing trip was cut short due to the fact I had no line to fish with, save for my mono backing.

Like I always say though.....catch them first and weight them after. It was a pretty good one though.....I think. Look at the pigtail on my mono. Yikes.

[piemma]

WOW Mikey!!
Doesn't sound like a Bass. Maybe a Tuna off course. If it was a Bass it was a 60+

[BigFish]

Keep extra spool in truck for such emergencies! When I lose a nice one like that....I just think like you did.....as long as I did everything right then I do not beat myself up over it! Sorry you lost her!

[TheSurfcaster]

Now that's something to remember. Do you think it was something other than a Bass? They usually turn once or twice and don't make a straight run.

What type of rod and reel where you using?

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by piemma

WOW Mikey!!
Doesn't sound like a Bass. Maybe a Tuna off course. If it was a Bass it was a 60+

The fish took off rather quickly, but I did feel a pickup and head shake. This leads me to believe it was a bass. In addition, I was taking bass prior to this one. Who knows what or how big, but it elevated my pulse up to that of a caged grey squirrel, which is what I live for....

[NIB]

Thats just plain awfull..Thats is why I fish spinning.U cannot stop the spool on a conventional reel.U will loose some major finger skin first. There are places like some elevated platforms where they have no room to run where I would fish em locked down..In most applications i don't fish locked...U can stop the spool of a spinner..
Of course u run the risk of other mishaps.Like ur rod busting or the hook pulling out.or getting yanked ofa yer perch an dragged into the abyss
At least Like Roger says..
U won't be spooled again..
Add windmill here..

[Spinfish]

That is a lot of line for a Bass to peel off, are there any Seals in the area.

I've had them grab a fish almost immediately after hook up and take off like a SBF. Still they never go that far, maybe 100 yards Max before they stop to eat the fish.

Maybe a monster Blue or ....... the Bass of a lifetime .

[vanstaal]

Its like I say It's all about the hook up!
sorry for your loss

[bart]

probably foul-hooked a bluefish....

[fcap60]

BackBeach:

great tale and sorry for your loss. Memories like that are tough to accept and they last in our minds forever.

Hang in there, there will be others !

[Tagger]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

I sat down on a large boulder and stared at the sky for a few minutes while my mind replayed the battle over and over.

You'll replay it the rest of your life.. Truth is , your nailed to shore and you did everything humanly possible. great story .feel your pain .

[RIROCKHOUND]

Mike.
dropped one that still haunts me in June. 20seconds straight run (and was still going) against a tight drag (not in a current) eel had fouled on the hook. never got a good set...

Get em next time!

[Slingah]

sorry for your loss....T & P's....

[Flaptail]

Doo doo occurs. Only been spooled once, 1978 at Monomoy. My fault, saw the fish take the 7 inch weind cheater blueback Rebel in the first wave at dusk, wish it had been dark, biggest bass I ever hooked that I saw. Sharpen hooks on a plug? Wha???????

[JohnR]

Did that before Mike, still get the goosebumps on occasion thinking about it.

Real good Bass, tuna, seal, nucular bluefish, or even shark depending on the area

[ThrowingTimber]

Glad someone found them all I did was rinse eels in whinergansett.

[fishaholic18]

Had that happen 5 or 6 times in one night while fishing with Canalman, we both had VS 200's and 50# braid...fish couldn't be stopped period...Definitely not Bass, they just do not run like that.. Fun dreamin' about it though..

[jim sylvester]

makes you keep mgong back for more

you'll get her next time mike

[gone fishin]

Total heartbreak. I know how you feel..

I lost a fish last friday. I had been fishing the ditch in the wind the day before and had a classic backlash. So bad it snapped the line at the leader. I had to dig that one out using a blunt needle. I never checked the line all the way back to the point it backlashed. When fishing on Friday, I used the same rig and had a solid hookup. A couple of shakes and the drag took off. I watched the line spinning off the reel - getting to the backing and decided to try and turn the fish by thumbing the reel lightly. All I ended up with was about half of the line back with a frayed end. It broke just about where the backlash was. Using 40 lb braid and a conventional reel.

[JoeP]

Mike - I feel for ya. Had similar experiences twice & I still to this day play them over in my head...What could have been.

[ProfessorM]

Nice story. Sometimes the fish wins.

[In The Surf]

Wow!
Mike, what can you say? I'm sure you did all you could.

[5/0]

Mike,sorry to say it buuuuut,that has happened to me last year same spot & drifting eels,I tried to slow her down but there was no stoppin I know the feeling

Sorry Brotha but that is what keeps us keeps us going back.




Bob

[BaddJack]

You will think about it forever,
that's why we do it,
my best were never seen.

[keeperreaper]

Mike,
Awful way to end a night but at least you were in the game and got to play with a big girl. Many will fish their whole life for that experience only to have fate shut the door on them without ever experiencing that feeling. Rest assured your knowledge and skill level was not at fault. It is these trying times that we reflect on and learn from and become even more profienct and skilled so next time the outcome may be different.


BTW- I was down current from you and slayed a huge 65 pounder. It had an eel and 200 yards of braid trailing it. Imagine that! Thanks for tiring her out for me. (This is in jest for those that are slow).

[Brian L]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

There's a first time for everything, they say. This morning it was my turn to experience the pain. As my eel made its way into the "strike zone" I felt the unmistakable take of a fish followed by a couple head shakes and then it happened... My rod doubled over and I began paying out line.Big time. I typically fish a light drag, but began my attempt to snub the fish pretty soon after it became apparent it was no school bass, but perhaps a school bus. It was. Long story short my 250 yards of 65 power pro began to vanish from the spool. With plenty of room down tide I began a tepid walk in an attempt to catch up, several times standing pat trying to lock the fish down and I couldn't do it. Anyways, I start thinking I'm going to get spooled and flip on my head lamp only to see the backing knot buried under only a few turns of the spool. I know this is the weak link in the line system, but in six years of fishing braid and many good fish, I've never been taken even close to this deep.
Oh oh. Backing knot goes through the guides and now I'm effectively fishing with 25# mono as opposed to 65# braid. No more snubbing necessary as the line parted on the knot as expected after it came under great tension. I sat down on a large boulder and stared at the sky for a few minutes while my mind replayed the battle over and over. Looking back, I wouldn't have done anything different, but when I refill the reel tonight there may be a little less backing and a little more braid. Never had a fish take so much line without at least a temporary pause. What sucks is there is a nice fish out there with a long drail of line behind it and my fishing trip was cut short due to the fact I had no line to fish with, save for my mono backing.

Like I always say though.....catch them first and weight them after. It was a pretty good one though.....I think. Look at the pigtail on my mono. Yikes.

Reeeeal big fish... swaller ya whollle...

Sorry to hear that, brother...

[Back Beach]

The pain continues. Since the above mentioned incident occurred, I've fished four nights for nil. The last two not even a bump. Last night my cell phone went for a plop in the canal as I leaned over to grab an eel. Thought I had the waterproof pouch zipped, but I didn't.Was previously on a major hot streak that began in late May. Someone is sending me a message. Cut off from the fish, now cut off from mankind with the dunking of my beloved phone.Time for some time off and a little boat fishing to sooth the rash. WTF.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

The pain continues. Since the above mentioned incident occurred, I've fished four nights for nil. The last two not even a bump. Last night my cell phone went for a plop in the canal as I leaned over to grab an eel......... Someone is sending me a message.

That someone would be Tonk-lee, the mighty god of serpents. Surely your wanton slaughter of his children has angered him greatly. Best that you make amends before he declares you an enemy of all the slimey creatures who slither through the world on their bellies and you are cursed by a plague of telemarketers selling legal advice to neglected spouses. Wash thyself, probably twice in your case, then put on pretty perfumes and delicate shirts (with little polo players on them is best). Make sacrifice, hire a babysitter (though a dog cage will do in a pinch), and pay pennance wasting money on food, drink, and laughter that would have bought a dammn nice reel. Thereafter, foreswear your ways, buy wooden idols, and toss them in the bright sunny water endlessly, until a small fish with forked tail and yellow eyes takes them from you......and you will be forgiven. Now go and repent, lest misery be yours. Amen

[bart]

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by numbskull

That someone would be Tonk-lee, the mighty god of serpents. Surely your wanton slaughter of his children has angered him greatly. Best that you make amends before he declares you an enemy of all the slimey creatures who slither through the world on their bellies and you are cursed by a plague of telemarketers selling legal advice to neglected spouses. Wash thyself, probably twice in your case, then put on pretty perfumes and delicate shirts (with little polo players on them is best). Make sacrifice, hire a babysitter (though a dog cage will do in a pinch), and pay pennance wasting money on food, drink, and laughter that would have bought a dammn nice reel. Thereafter, foreswear your ways, buy wooden idols, and toss them in the bright sunny water endlessly, until a small fish with forked tail and yellow eyes takes them from you......and you will be forgiven. Now go and repent, lest misery be yours. Amen

I'll be at your slip tomorrow morning @4:00. I want to spread the ashes of my leftover elvers before the wind comes up. Bring coffe and a camera. No sugar in mine.