Bitter Sweet Day at Hodges 5/18

[Stingray]

I love reading and looking at posts from all the forum members here!
I rarely post but I thought this was worthy and also to celebrate my Dad who recently passed!
He loved to see pictures of the fish I caught from salt or fresh waters!
I can't send him anymore pictures but I'm sure he saw me get this one from Heaven and maybe even guided me towards this beautiful fish!
I spent 12 hours on the lake mostly to clear my head of the loss of my Dad who was my hero and best friend!
Started Day off with an early bass and then had two in a row come off that may have been 5lbs on topwater!!
The usual heartbreak set In and had the feeling that I missed my chance at a decent sized bass!
Well put my head down and just kept fishing and ended up getting 8 more through day but only 2 lbers until # 10 was a 4.10
# 11 just took off and I knew it was a big fish luckily going into deep water then it jumped seemed like 2ft in the air and I knew it was at least a 10 lber
I was praying please stay on and don't break my line
Needless to say I was shaking when I grabbed it and put it on the scale it was weighing over 10 but not locking in!
I quickly went to shore to stabilize the scale and still over 10 but locked in at 9.79
Long story Long this was my new PB largemouth I went on to catch 9 more fish amazing day but as the title reads Bitter Sweet!!
Remember life is short so enjoy every day!!!@
Fish On!!

[Pourboy]

Thank you for posting and sharing the bittersweet day. Congratulations on the big fish and condolences for your loss. At least you still have the amazing memories and now you can associate those memories with your biggest bass. Cheers!

[Early release]

Great story and a nice tribute to your dad. Really nice fish too.

[camobass]

Congrats on the PB And my condolences. Lost my dad a couple years ago. It’s a tough one. Sending prayers your way.

[JWall]

Great fish and you know dad was smiling

[Stingray]

Thanks Camo

[VinnyBass]

Probably a very emotional day for you and no doubt your father would have been very proud of you on catching your
PB. I think he was there in spirit watching his son battle that huge bass. All of us that have lost our fathers know how
hard it is and thank goodness we can still hold on and cherish so many great memories like you have share with your father.
Thank you for sharing and my condolences.

[Fishtricks]

Nice fish. Thanks for posting

[858NOVICE]

Stingray, as I smiled reading your post the tears welled up in the corners of my eyes. As many of us that have recently lost a parent we share the pain and joy of these moments. You can bet your bottom dollar your old man was watching you land that PB from above...…..Some of us anglers fish for recreation but there is a lot of us that fish for our sanity!

[meisner]

Sorry about your pops. I also lost my dad years ago and he also loved to see pics of my fish. I know they still see us out there.

Congrats on the fish. That is awesome and hope it provided some relief.

Take care

[Sosvp1]

Sorry for your loss... Awesome fish brother

[Neuroshima]

Sorry for your loss. Congrats on the PB!

[KillinTime]

What a nice looking fish! What did you get it on?

Very Sorry For Your Loss!!

[Stingray]

Reaper!

[bendopolo 44+]

My Pops was my Fishing Partner and Friend. It is hard to lose both. The things he taught me about the intricacies of Bass Fishing were endless. The Man could fish! He taught me that you can improve yourself your whole life. I miss him so much.

[Stingray]

You will always have the memories of sharing fishing adventures together and catching big bass!
You know the day will come when you lose a parent but never are you prepared for when it actually happens!
I never expected so any responses from everyone and thanks for sharing the great picture of your dad and giant bass!!
Family and faith is a huge part of the fishing community and now I see how much we all have in common in these moments!!

[JWall]

You will always have the memories of sharing fishing adventures together and catching big bass!
You know the day will come when you lose a parent but never are you prepared for when it actually happens!
I never expected so any responses from everyone and thanks for sharing the great picture of your dad and giant bass!!
Family and faith is a huge part of the fishing community and now I see how much we all have in common in these moments!!

Just lost mom early April. She actually brought me fishing as much as dad, which wasn’t much. But her father, my granddad was my original mentor bringing me to Lake Pontchartrain, lakes in west Louisiana, and Sam Rayburn in Texas. I’m betting we all here think almost every day of our family fishing mentors. I sure do. Cheers to them for raising us right!

[Moose]

I’m sorry for your loss. I lost my father this past Sept. 11th ( another reason to remember that day). Always loved being able to share pictures and stories with him. Definitely feel his presence still, as I’m sure you will too. Congrats on the big girl!!

[Stingray]

You will always have the memories of sharing fishing adventures together and catching big bass!
You know the day will come when you lose a parent but never are you prepared for when it actually happens!
I never expected so any responses from everyone and thanks for sharing the great picture of your dad and giant bass!!
Family and faith is a huge part of the fishing community and now I see how much we all have in common in these moments!!

Just lost mom early April. She actually brought me fishing as much as dad, which wasn’t much. But her father, my granddad was my original mentor bringing me to Lake Pontchartrain, lakes in west Louisiana, and Sam Rayburn in Texas. I’m betting we all here think almost every day of our family fishing mentors. I sure do. Cheers to them for raising us right!

Very sorry to hear that JWALL
Sounds like you fished some amazing water ways with your family and that's cool your mom liked to fish!!
Hope your able to go fishing and never forget fond memories you had of fishing with your mom!

[Stingray]

I’m sorry for your loss. I lost my father this past Sept. 11th ( another reason to remember that day). Always loved being able to share pictures and stories with him. Definitely feel his presence still, as I’m sure you will too. Congrats on the big girl!!

Thanks Moose
I believe they are always with us to share our experiences!
Sorry for your recent loss!