Lake O'Neill (Camp Pendleton)

[tomnilll]

This is a good news/bad news story without pictures...

Finally ventured out to see what the deal with this lake was...you need base access to get to it. Anyway went there did what I needed to, to be legal and started throwing worms...little luck, but it was the middle of the day. I was about to leave and saw a big buster...and threw the Texas rigged senko I had on right on her head and bang! I set the hook and it felt like a log...the battle was on. It jumped once early and then I really started to panic...8 lb mono...so I started to fiddle with the drag and she jumped again, more of a boil this time to give me a good look at her. This distracted me enough to not quite finish the drag adjustment and she ran hard and the line broke ...I don't like to exaggerate (yeah right...) but this to me was the heaviest bass I have had on the line in a long time...maybe not 10, but certainly way north of 6 or 7...

Oh well...you win some you lose some...at least I know she is in there.

[VinnyBass]

Oh my gosh, that must’ve been pretty darn exciting while the fish was on. I always anticipate something happening when I get a healthy fish and if I’m able to land it, I’m pretty darn happy… but it seems bigger fish have a way of getting away.
I lost a nice one at the river today, but sounds like you lost a really nice one. Hopefully you’ll catch that one next time. Thanks for sharing.
Tight lines

[Gotfish?]

Always set the drag before the 1st cast. Never adjust the drag during a fight except maybe to loosen it if the fish wraps around weeds or brush which rarely happens.

Most bass upon being hooked will immediately head for deeper, snag-free water.

Put the rod tip down, even underwater if the fish comes up like it wants to jump. The sudden jerk of the line from a jump can snap the line and the bass can more easily throw the hook in a jump.

Largemouth bass are not like tuna; they give up quick. 8 lb line is more than enough to subdue any bass in open water. Record for 8 lb line is 21 lbs 3 oz. https://igfa.org/member-services/world- ... largemouth

My biggest bass was at Barrett on 6 lb line while fishing a drop shot for bluegill with a 2" Senko and #6 hook (bass bite had slowed). It weighed 8.9 lbs. About 4 short runs and hello net.

[camobass]

If it got away, go with 10 plus. Sounds better haha but then it could hurt more…

[camobass]

Always set the drag before the 1st cast. Never adjust the drag during a fight except maybe to loosen it if the fish wraps around weeds or brush which rarely happens.

Most bass upon being hooked will immediately head for deeper, snag-free water.

Put the rod tip down, even underwater if the fish comes up like it wants to jump. The sudden jerk of the line from a jump can snap the line and the bass can more easily throw the hook in a jump.

Largemouth bass are not like tuna; they give up quick. 8 lb line is more than enough to subdue any bass in open water. Record for 8 lb line is 21 lbs 3 oz. https://igfa.org/member-services/world- ... largemouth

My biggest bass was at Barrett on 6 lb line while fishing a drop shot for bluegill with a 2" Senko and #6 hook (bass bite had slowed). It weighed 8.9 lbs. About 4 short runs and hello net.

You’re pro, it’s not as easy for us commoners

[tomnilll]

Always set the drag before the 1st cast. Never adjust the drag during a fight except maybe to loosen it if the fish wraps around weeds or brush which rarely happens.

Most bass upon being hooked will immediately head for deeper, snag-free water.

Put the rod tip down, even underwater if the fish comes up like it wants to jump. The sudden jerk of the line from a jump can snap the line and the bass can more easily throw the hook in a jump.

Largemouth bass are not like tuna; they give up quick. 8 lb line is more than enough to subdue any bass in open water. Record for 8 lb line is 21 lbs 3 oz. https://igfa.org/member-services/world- ... largemouth

My biggest bass was at Barrett on 6 lb line while fishing a drop shot for bluegill with a 2" Senko and #6 hook (bass bite had slowed). It weighed 8.9 lbs. About 4 short runs and hello net.

Thanks for the tips...always learning, or at least trying to.