Was just wondering if any of you have ever lost a crankbait or topwater bait to a fish, and then catch the same fish later and get your bait back? I have done it with worm hooks but never with hard baits. Just wondering. There is a large fish in lake Nac. that has my topwater bait in his mouth and I want it back!

Yes. Hooked a good fish one day on at Fork on a Lucky Craft D20. She hung me in a tree and broke me off. Two days later, while fishing the same spot, a buddy hung my line (which was still wrapped up in the tree) and reeled the fish in...an 8 pounder with my crankbait still in her mug. I still have a hard time believing it.

can't believe that fish was still alive or must have been a 12 pounder when you hung it

LOL! No she was right at 8 pounds. I couldn't believe it either. Had about 50' of line attached to the crankbait and wrapped up in the tree, so I guess she was just swimming around somewhat freely. I can't believe she didn't pull off or break the line in those two days. It was only 10# Seguar InvisX.

I know it sounds like BS, but it really did happen. BTW, Lance Vick was in the boat with me when this happened so I do have a reliable witness for any naysayers.

That's a good tale. Glad the fish was still alive.

I've caught several fish with old baits in their mouths or gullets, but never one I've personally broken off.

I have broken off topwater fish with my brand Yellow Magic magic in their gob, that just plain hurts!

not the same but as a friend was throwin a shallow diver and got it snagged on the south side of the lake and months later while worm fishing he found it near the bank on the north side . this was at whiterock lake

Two years ago, A customer caught a Hybrid on live Shad, that had a slab stuck in its nose!

Hooked a monster that broke off.
Next day, same spot caught, a "Popcorn" with my worm in it's mouth.
Don't know how that little tiny fish managed to steal my worm from that record breaker.
J.B.

For me, i seem to lose a crank bait every other cast, especially once the coronas start flowing If i could get one back every now end then, that would be a dream..until that happens, i'll just stock up on 8-10 crank baits per trip...

Only a few with the lure still in it's mouth.
There is this one 2 3/4 pound bass they are starting to call
"Stan's Bass". I tagged the bass and have caught it 3 times in the last 2 years. My son has caught it 7 times. Twice for bass tournaments. I've had 5 other guys call to tell me they caught my bass.

Lucky we have Catch & Release only on out little lake. That is one "[censored]".

I haven't. Wished I had of gotten mine back in a tournament yesterday. Lost a good fish. Getting it back would have meant a check for sure.