Ok, so I won't give the name of the lake cause it's a low pressure lake and I'd like to keep it that way.
Fishing 2 weeks ago with a Falcon 6'6" MH, Shimano Chronarch and 17lb test, a watermelon/ red flake ribbit with 5/0 hook, I threw up shallow started working it back in about 2ft of water, I glanced a quick second off at my girl friend fishing the back of the boat. I heard a very large splash, felt my line tighten, I set the hook hard, as I glance I saw that mud had kicked up where the bite took place, never saw the bite. My drag was tightened all the way down, whatever it was still managed to pull about 3" of line before the line snapped. All of that took place in about 2 seconds. I have fished this lake for 20 yrs, it is very well managed, nothing but florida strain, crappie, and a few cats in this lake. There are no gators, bowfin or gar in this lake. The lake record Large mouth is over 16 lbs. I was astonished and speechless! Was this a new lake record? What's your opinion?

Sounds to me like you hooked a Mekong giant catfish but I could be wrong.

If your drag wasn't hammered all the way down you would know. Just because it's 17# test doesn't mean the fish was bigger than 17#'s. Bass do have sand paper teeth that will cut a line when hooked deep and there's no give on the drag.

I did have a thought it was a big cat, but what made me think different was the verocity the bait was hammered and cats in this lake are few and far between.

My opinion is if you had a heavier rod and some 65# lb braid.. you would be posting pics instead of wondering what happened.. frog fishing tackle is one thing where it never pays to just make do. Get a broomsick and some 1/8" steel cable and hope you can fool her again

As far as what it was, no telling, but when I lose a big bite, it helps me sleep better if I tell myself it was a big flathead

Need pics of the girlfriend to better inform you.

Like Huck said, back off that drag and bring her in.

.......... chuckle..........chuckle

Yes you definitely had the Lake Record for sure, no doubt, man I wish you would have gotten it in

Snapping turtle

I tried to logically play this out in my head as well, my only doubts to this thought were that was fresh line, a fresh not and first fish that had been hooked on it. The drag did not give on the hook set and believe me when I set the hook I'm trying to cross their eyes and rip their jaw off. Thats usually when I can tell when my drag is not set right. The duration of the fight....less than 2-3 seconds questions the line getting rubbed.....but not at all out of the question.

I'm going with a catfish, and yes a catfish can and will hit harder then some largemouth.

That's the very reason I use a broomstick and braid. You can cinch your drag all the way down, hit them as hard as you want and drag them through whatever to get them back to the boat.

Get you a broom stick and 65lb braid to throw a frog on and you won't be breaking off

Beat me to it

pollywog

Note taken, and I'll make the change