Fished LBL this Sunday (getting to be a pattern). Overall a good day. Put in at Austin HS around 6 am (have to get there early to get a parking spot by the boat ramp). Since the sun wouldn't be up for another hour decided to head down the lake, I've never fished the boardwalk. Fished the brush and branches in the water and bridge pilings. Caught 3 LMB (all under 3 lbs) and about a dozen blue gill and sunfish, all on a small ( 9/32 oz ) crankbait, including a Bluegill that measured 9 1/4" . Would have been a great day...except.

Fishing the south bank behind some apartments something BIG hit my crank . I was fishing with a light action rod and 8 lb test mono. I knew I couldn't just horse this fish in. The first time it jumped I realized how big it was. My PB large mouth is 7 lb, 14 oz. Caught it in 2005 in Kansas. This fish was bigger. I don't know if it was 10, I've never seen a 10lb bass in person, but it was big. Was just concentrating on keeping the line tight, his head up, and letting him take line when he ran so I didn't break him off. Of course, I'm also thinking...is this a Sharelunker? How do I keep him alive until a game warden shows up? Maybe I just release him and take enough pictures to have a mount made .

Got him to within six feet of the kayak, he saw the boat, decided oh hell no, and ran again. Kept his head up, he's jumping, two Austin Bike Cops are on the jogging trail watching, all is right with the world. Get him close to the kayak again. I realize I can't boat flip him, I think he weighs more than my line can hold. Decide I'm going to net him. The net is behind my seat. As I reach behind the seat...he goes under the kayak. No problem as long as he doesn't.........wrap himself around the Yak Blade Transducer mount. So of course...he does. I reach in, hoping to slip the line off the transducer arm...and snap.

I yelled something like.... oh fudge. One of the bike cops at the same time yelled something like... oh fudge. We looked at each other. He said, "Brother if you're not going to cry, I'm gonna cry for ya."

I learned a couple important lessons. I'm not going to change the way I fish. Except during the spring and fall I'm fishing for big bluegill,not bass, so I'm going to keep using light line and tackle. That didn't keep my from landing this fish. Two things did keep me from landing him.
1. I didn't have the net where I could get it without taking my eyes off the fish. From now on the net goes between the seat and the hull.
2. I gave him the perfect apparatus to break the line. Since I started kayak fishing I've never caught hooked a fish that I couldn't keep away from my anchor line or my transducer arm. Until now. From now on if I catch something I know is big the transducer gets pivoted out of the water and if I'm anchored (which is almost never) I yank the quick release on my anchor line and let the boat drift.

I won't say this ruined a day of fishing...any day I can get out and fish is a gift, but I did catch the big blue gill half an hour after I lost this bass. It was probably among the five biggest I've ever caught. I wasn't excited enough to take pictures.

Great post JohnF67. I love fishing the LBL! I know the areas quite well where you are fishing and they have been producing good fish all year! I also know the feeling quite well about loosing a nice fish at the yak. A super bass know all the tricks to keep from getting caught! Lost my share. That is what keeps me going back. Next time I might just win the fight.



Side Note: I always carry a "GOOD" stringer if I want to keep a fish alive for a weight or pictures. Bass do pretty good on it. For the smaller pan fish I have a bubblier that I attach to a pickle bucket that keep them alive and well for a very long time. For the most part I just snap a picture and release em. Again great post!

"The one that got away" I feel for you buddy. Every fisherman has a similar story. yours was 10lbs mine was 8ft but thats what keeps us fishing

Great story! Brings back memories of my fish losses, though I’m sure I’ve never had a 10 pounder on the line.

Great post! Sorry about the loss of your fish. It happens and like many other anglers I know the feeling! I have a saying. "Keep fishing and good things will happen!"



Side Note: What color was the crank bait you were using?

John...I feel you pain ! Couple weeks ago I was bringing a nice bluegill on Fayette & a giant bass came up and grabbed it right at the side of the boat...wasn't sure what to do but my instant reaction was to SET THE HOOK ! I pulled it outa the basses mouth and to my shock it grabbed it again...this time I just let it run a bit & it spit it out. I knew there was no way I was going to get it in on 4 lb test anyway, but it made my heart race & blood pressure rise significantly. Fun stories...

Thanks guys. At least I know where he (actually probably she) lives, maybe I can find her next spring. Though I'm guessing she's going to be pretty wary of black and silver crankbaits in the future.

The crankbait in question is a black and silver shiner pattern Matzuo Nanocrank (I've never been skunked when using this lure, it's caught bass, sunfish, catfish and walleye...of course it only dives between 1.5' and 3' so not exactly something to use in the dead of winter):

Love those crank baits! The Black/Silver along with the Silver/Blue have gotten me pretty good results this time of year!

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Love those crank baits! The Black/Silver along with the Silver/Blue have gotten me pretty good results this time of year!
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They're not cheap...or easy to find. When I see them at Walmart I usually buy all of them. Never had luck with any other Matzuo bait, but this one is amazing.

That was an awesome tale! You were also very generous with the details. Here's hoping you get another shot at that fish!

Awesome post. Just about every angler has experienced this a bunch. Know the feeling myself and yes you just want to cry but don't. The good news is there is always another chance to land that big one which is usually done! Again awesome post!

Nice read. Sometimes you win...sometimes the fish wins.