San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Got a bit of a late start on Sunday at Lake Hodges . I got the pontoon ready and got on the water by 8:30. I hit the opposite bank and on my second cast throwing a Shad Rap I was rewarded with a 3.4 # largemouth. As i landed her I tried to find my pliers but couldnt I had forgot to bring them. So off i went to ask some tubers if they had some. The guys were very nice and lended me their pliers and I revived her in the water before sending her away. She had been out of the water and attached to my lure for some time so I couldnt even get a picture . The fellow angler lended me the pliers for a shad rap extra that i had with me. So I continued my fishing. I got two more solid hits on the same lure . I then got another huge hit and hooked a monster. After a few minutes the damn thing made a run right at the boat with me reeling in as much slack as possible but as I started making up some ground the line broke and she also spit the hook. I had not checked my 6lb braid like an idiot. I went to tie my lure back onto my line and at that moment I realised I had left my cutters with the pliers. I made a madf dash back to the ramp and went to the concession stand and found it closed . Obviously it wasnt prepared either. I fished for another hour but didnt get anymore hits . I wanted to continue so I made my way back to the concession stand but it still wasnt open. I figured this was the time to admit i just wasnt prepared so I ended the day by 11:00. As i was leaving the guy at the concession stand had finally opened for business but by then I just went home.

1Fishdude wrote: Mon Mar 17, 2025 12:28 pm...but as I started making up some ground the line broke and she also spit the hook.

Damn, what are the chances?! The line breaking AND the fish spitting the hook at the same time?

I don't think that in my days of bass fishing, or fishing in general, that has ever happened.

But again, it's better to have hooked and lost, than never to have hooked at all. I think Hemingway said that.

How big was the monster? In my experience, most monsters come off, one way or another=-/
You get an A for efforts!

I always try to double check everything and still there are times when I forget stuff. Hopefully the next time you are there you will catch that big one and have your pliers to take the hook out of his mouth. Thanks for sharing and tight lines always.

Oh man! Heartbreaker! Thanks for sharing and reminding us to double check the gear. Cheers!