The one that got away 1/9

[Dannicus]

Those who know me are probably aware that I have never caught a double digit bass. Oh I've flirted with it, with my PB being a 9.8, but nope, after 41 years of SCAL bass fishing, I've never managed to pull that one off. In 2024 my best was an 8 pounder at Hodges. I caught a bunch over five with a few few sixes and sevens sprinkled in there, but to be fair, I really don't target them either.

Still, I've fished enough that I've seen them caught, and am very well aware of what they look like, so I can tell you with a high degree of certainty that I lost one on Thursday at Murray. After a loooong fight on my Curado BFS rod, I got her right beside my float tube (a few times actually), but my rod snapped while I was trying to get a hold of her. I was fishing 8 pound braid to 6 pound flouro, and when the rod broke she surged down and swam off with my jig. Biggest bass I have ever seen, and I actually had her in my grasp for a few seconds. CRAP!

Oh well. I don't think I have another 40 years left in me, but I'll keep wetting lines as long as I can, and who knows? Maybe someday.....

Happy New Year and tight lines friends.

[Dannicus]

On another note, I've already ordered my replacement BFS rod. It's a Cashion Icon series purchased directly from the manufacturer. I can't wait to try it out. Now I have my eye on that new Bates Hundo BFS reel....looks sweet!

[VinnyBass]

My last few trips to Murray has produced only dinks and even micro bass so it is refreshing and sad at the same time to hear about the bass you lost. My recent bass catches were perfect size for a small backyard pond or some of the micro bass would do well in an aquarium, so it was refreshing to hear that all hope is not lost for chances for bigger bass during the winter months. The sad part of course was hearing how close it was to you before it broke free. OMG...that really must of been hard to deal with and you probably will replay that in you head for a while. So sorry to hear the sad news, as I am sure others have experienced some heartbreaks while bass fishing, but know will be out there again soon and hope the next opportunity that comes...pays off. Tight lines buddy

[Pourboy]

Oh man I know that feeling. Tis’ better to have hooked and lost then never to have hooked at all. (I guess) Man I’m so sorry to hear that heartbreaker. Bigguns are coming your way again. At least you get to buy a new rod?

[BassbruiserDylan]

Oh no! Having her in your grasp and still losing her must be a brutal heartache. Sorry to hear. Just more motivation to keep fishing!

[Fisheromen]

I believe I have landed every DD I have ever hooked!

[otaymichael]

I believe I have landed every DD I have ever hooked!

Yeah, but that one was a nice one!

[otaymichael]

I hate losing double digits. You’ll play it through your head from now to eternity trying to figure out how you could’ve saved it. But as was said, better to have fought…

[Dannicus]

Haha yeah it was honestly a lot of fun and exciting. I'm not really too upset, just wish I could have got a picture lol. It was a lot of fish on really pretty light line. What amazed me the most to tell the truth was that the rod and leader broke before I straightened the hook in that tiny 1/8 oz Keitech jig. Like I said, I generally don't target DDs specifically but it's really cool when the bigger ones do come along.

[Dfishin]

Picked up a BFS set up and landed a double digit. Just a different kind.

[Dannicus]

Awesome!!

[Fishtricks]

I think Ive lost a giant on my last 4 bass trips.

It sucks real bad...

[JWall]

On another note, I've already ordered my replacement BFS rod. It's a Cashion Icon series purchased directly from the manufacturer. I can't wait to try it out. Now I have my eye on that new Bates Hundo BFS reel....looks sweet!

I really admire your prescription to end the suffering