I just caught a once in a lifetime bass. Biggest bass I ever caught and probably won't ever catch another as big - and if I do catch another one as big, I'll bet you a million dollars it won't be caught the same way this one was.

First off, no I didn't get pictures. I didn't get it completely out of the water either, so size is estimated. I know what you're thinking, you're thinking what my son said "If you don't have a picture, it didn't happen." But it happened, just a few hours ago.

I've caught some big bass in my 60 odd years of fishing, but nothing approaching this one. This was a river bass, no pot belly, and it was freaking huge! But even better than how big it was, was the way I caught it. Yesterday I was fishing in the creek mouth and had caught a decent size bluegill. While retrieving it a great big bass came up from the depths and took off with it. I could feel that bass on the line for a few seconds before it released the bluegill. It was quite a thrill. Most fishermen have seen this or had it happen to them on occasion.

So today when I caught a bluegill, about six inches long, instead of bringing it all the way in I let it swim around in the middle of the creek. Waiting to see if that big bass would come for it. I let it swim around out there for quite a bit and then I saw this fish coming slolwy up from the depths, looked like a submarine. It was even bigger than the one yesterday.

It came up close to the surface where I had a good long look at it, and I about fell into the creek it was so big. It nudged the bluegill and sank back out of sight, then returned and sank again. Then it came back and this time it was ready, it charged and sucked in that bluegill and then dove quickly into the depths. I gave it some slack, let it run for a second and then took up the line and started pulling. It felt like it was solid hooked, as it stayed on a lot longer. I was thinking it must have swallowed the bluegill and it was in its stomach.

In fact I fought it for a while, wearing it down. I got it up to the bank, which was now a problem as the creek bank was nearly five feet above the water. I didn't have a net, I didn't have anyone to help, and no way to reach it, even lying down on my stomach. I had its head out of the water and it could have swallowed a football sideways. HUGE. I'm guessing, and guessing conservatively, in the 10 to 12 pound range. HUGE. Biggest one I've ever caught.

I say I caught it as I did bring it to the bank, under full control. I couldn't get it up that five feet, not with 8lb leader. I tried though, as sooner or later I had to do something and I was going to release it no matter what anyway. I got it a bit past its gills out of the water before the leader snapped, the giant bass sank back down into the water and swam away, quickly gliding into the depths and out of sight.

My heart pumped like a jack hammer for the better part of an hour, burning off the 55 gallons of adrenaline racing through my veins. I shook like a leaf in the wind, my knees were weak, and I felt just like I had just caught the biggest bass of my life, and that is a thrilling feeling. I'll never catch one like that again, not that way - somehow, miraculously, the hook had come out of the bluegill and into the bass's upper lip, dead center. I couldn't have put that hook in a better place surgically.

9 foot six weight fly rod, 8lb test leader, No. 8 hook. Six inch bluegill for bait. Visuals of the bass taking the bluegill to die for, and the biggest bass I've ever caught on any rig of any kind.

It will never happen again, not that way and probably not in any way. But then, if it did happen again I'm not sure my heart could take it.

Great stories told here, some of them are true.
Enjoyed the ride. Thanking you.

I've had that happen a few times but never with anything that big and never on purpose. Bait fishing with a fly rod? I'm sure that some purists out there are stomping their wicker creels out of disgust but I say a catch is a catch.

Fantastic stuff Lloyd congratulations! myself being the bass nut that I am I may be spoiled on big bass but that's my favorite target! I don't really think I would care if it was 10� outside I think I would be going swimming to get it in LOL. I just don't think I could've taken seen it sitting there just out of my reach and not being able to get it. I went waited yesterday and it was pretty dang chili getting up to the waste I'm sure today would've been a little worse. Your body in the picture might have been blurry you were shivering so bad though haha. Good stuff though always fun when you see them come out and attack like that.

Thanks! It was a bit like being a kid again. I haven't had the shakes like that over a fish since I was a kid as a matter of fact, and it was a bass too.

I'm definitely not a purist, I like to catch fish and whatever it takes to get one on the line is fine by me. I use a fly rod because it is an effective tool and it makes the fight just that much better.

I enjoyed reading this post Lloyd!

Yes this happened during a a Reel Recovery event.. But the fish was only one plus pound.. It was fast for us hook a bluegill then Bass smacked the gill.. Fish on..

Great story! I love a big fish on a fly rod. Did you get that new net yet?

I tried again today. Caught a little 16" one, then this one pictured. I took a camera and a net but was still by myself. Getting this little one pictured out of the creek and up on the bank was something else again. Got the picture and put it back and it swam off nicely. I'd guess this one to be in the 6 or 7 lb range. For perspective the reel is 3" in diameter and the rod handle from bottom of rod to top of cork is 10.5".

I didn't like getting it in the dirt, but taking pictures while your are alone is difficult to stage. One of the reasons, as I remember again, that I don't take a camera with me when I go fishing.

nice fish-p-

Gotta be a heart thumping experience on a six weight. What kinda reel?

The reel is a "Cahill" by Crystal River. Mostly just to hold the line. Once in a blue moon I'll get enough line out for a fish to get into the drag but not often.

Lloyd - have you thought about setting your camera up on a tripod on the bank, close to were your going to fish? Then if you catch something worthy of a pic you can use the self timer ( assuming your camera has one) and your in business.

Nice one Lloyd! Yea timer on the phone is great I prop it up on my dry box. My old I phone didn't have one but getting the camera plus app had one within the app.

Awesome post. Would have loved to have seen your fish.



Side Note: Also nice fish on the one you posted!

Excellent fish story! You can't always lift 'em and I don't think a net would have helped you.