So I figured I would share this photo with you guys! My buddy and I as well as our girlfriends headed down to Sargent for a few days to see if we couldn't catch some fish. Unfortunately we came down the day of a cold front moving in. The fishing wasn't great we just got a 22" red on live shrimp and a 22" black drum as well. This morning everyone was asleep so I went out to the dock and decided to throw out this 8" mullet we had on a surf rod into the middle of the ICW. Pretty soon I get a bite. I could tell this was a huge fish and after a pretty decent fight I finally saw it. The biggest fish I had ever had on my line. I knew I would have to net it myself. So after he was good and tired I set the rod down and grabbed the line to lead him to my net. As I did this I hear a snap and I am left with a handful of broken line. At this point I started screaming obscenities knowing that no one would believe me. I woke up my friends with my yelling and told them the story about the one that got away. As I had back down to the dock to clean up the rest of my poles I was shocked to see the same fish rolling on the top of the water. I also noticed our lightest rod was bent over. I picked up the rod and slowly started bringing the monster in. Somehow my lines got tangled and I still had the fish on. Luckily this time I was ready and got about half of him into the net pulled him onto the deck and let out a WOOHOO! After running up to get everyone we came back down measured and took pictures. He measured out to be 42.5" and around 50 lbs if I had to guess. He is by far my biggest fish to date as well as the biggest fish landed on our dock. This is one time that I am grateful for tangled fishing lines. I just wanted to share my experience with you guys!

P.S. The fish was released and swam away strong!

Saaaaaaaaaweeeeeet! Cool story and love the girls on the dock with you. I know Black Drum don't get much credit compared to the Reds, but that is one heckuvan accomplishment! A huge Black Drum.

In fact, I'd like to nominate the second photo for one of our monthly TFF covers!

And bc, I love the smile. That says it all!!!

Fouz

Nice fish! Congrats!

Thanks a lot Fouzman!

To be honest the biggest fish I had ever caught before this one was probably a 24" Red.

That smile has not gone off my face all day!

What a catch! Congrats, sir!!

Thanks Guys!

That is an awesome fish! Great story as well, thanks for sharing.

Thats awesome man, big congrats to you!



I 2nd that for monthly cover!

WTG

Nice Big Ugly!!

Very, very nice.. Congrats!

very nice drum! the other day my friend and I were getting excited over sight fishing for some half that size. can't imagine if we saw one that big!

Great lookin fish and even better story!

I know this is probably the wrong category to ask this, but I have been thinking about getting a replica of this fish made. If anyone had anyone that they would recommend who does decent replicas, or any online companies that you have used.

Thanks a ton!

Still can't stop smiling every time I see that fish hahaha.

I don't know what all they do breed wise, but I know Lake Fork Taxidermy does great work.

http://www.lakeforktaxidermy.com/index.html

Congrats on a monster drum! I've caught some babies before but never anything near that big. Your heart must've been racing.

Thanks for the link I will check them out!

I about had tears in my eyes when I 'lost' him the first time.

Don't think my heart rate is back to normal just yet haha.

Nice Catch!

the one that got away...NOT! Awesome.

Nice catch congrats,you said 50lbs then the girl in the first photo on the left must only weight 60lbs it's almost as big as her LOL congrats again

I would say 50 easy> Great fish, and great story.

Fished in Sargent many times. Love that little fishing town.

Congrats on the big fish!

congrats... nice fish

Nice one!

Haha she is 4'10" and I think like 85 lbs. But yeah that fish is almost as big as her!

Thanks.

Good Lordy thats a giant! Great job and glad he didn't get away before you got to land em

Great catch man! I had a similar experience with a giant blue cat, but mine got away...

Haha thanks Crappie

Awesome.

Wow, love it.... Congratulations....

Fantastic Story!!!!!!!! It was just meant to be young man. Great job and congratulations for a monster fish. Glad you got some great pictures also. It's great that your loved ones got to share in such a memorable experience. Never give up!

A beast for sure Nice catch!

I guess it was just meant to be. I feel so lucky to land such a great fish after thinking it was going to be my 'one that got away' story.

wow !!!!!!!!!! thats huge !!!!! great catch

Nice Catch! Would have loved to seen that fight.

Dam monster there!!!

awesome drum those things look all old and beat up. i like it. fish tale of a lifetime!

The fight was so awesome. I doubt I will ever have another one like it unless I go offshore haha.

awesome fish ...bet that was a nice fight

Thanks for sharing,cool story!

Thanks folks. I wanna go down this weekend and see if we can get something similar in size haha.

Hey guys I got a little story and clipping on the photo of the day section of www.lonestarchronicles.com

Really good story. Thanks for sharing.

Great Catch!

Wow nice. Never caught one. Are they good eating?

Not this big. We caught one about 22" and ate him. Fillet both sides. Rub the meat with Tony Chachere's and lemon butter. Grill it with scale side down until you can stick a fork in and out of the meat smoothly. Same as red fish. Absolutely delicious. I have heard of people cooking bigger ones, but the meat is tougher. I won;t cook a red or black drum over 28" just because the taste of the smaller ones is so much better. Can beat it with an ice cold one.