That is a good story. Kinda the same thing happened to me a few years back I flipped by a big bush and got a bite so I set the hook and line broke. Picked up other pole and got bite again set the hook and missed, got back only half of my baby brush hog, I said ok third times a charm. Pitched in there again and GOT HIM!!! It was about a 3 lb bass and still had my hook from broken line and tail from my brush hog in its mouth. This goes to tell you that u can catch a bass that's been hooked.

Fishing in Mexico in the 70s about 25' of water. Fishing partner and I vertically dropping Creme purple white tail Scoundrel worms straight down, both get a bite, set the hook and fight a 3 liber to the surface to find he has both of our hooks on opposite sides of his jaw. Greedy fish.

I broke off 4 times in the same area during the KYKX tourney 2 years ago. Went back one week later and caught a 5 pounder w/ 3 of my baits and brand new Trokar hooks in her belly.

Few years ago had a fish break off a trick worm, two weeks later I caught the same fish in the same area with my bait and hook still in it's mouth.