Brother in law and I went to the lake today. Caught tons of bass, LM, hybrids, and whites. Had a small 3 inch jointed rapala minnow on my 12 pounds test BC. Reeled in after a usual cast and about 3 feet from my boat a COW of a bass took the bait. I made the mistake of trying to "swing" it into the boat because I was so anxious. The bass tore off under the boat and the line snapped. I think it was from the torque he had going down, Dan said it could've been the dorsal fin. Could have been any of those or more scenarios. Anyone else ever act on impulse and lose a fish due to a "swing" in??? I feel terrible that I lost it. Worse off, we saw the whole bass when it came out of the water!!!!!! Took off with my lure too.

Poor thing.

Poor thing.

Have to skip right to step 3. :-(

It could also be that your line was worn from the other bass. Did you retie at any point during your outing? Also sounds like your drag was too tight. Tough loss either way.

Put line on this morning. It was like the second fish of the day. Drag was in fact almost all the way down. Live and learn my friends. :-/

Put line on this morning. It was like the second fish of the day. Drag was in fact almost all the way down. Live and learn my friends. :-/

 

Swinging fish with drag low is not a good idea. 

I guess I need to state the obvious. Swinging any fish considered to be a cow or a PB is just asking for failure. Net it or lip it.

I guess I need to state the obvious. Swinging any fish considered to be a cow or a PB is just asking for failure. Net it or lip it.

I've only ever had the confidence to swing a fish in one time, and that was a two pound LM on #50 braid. I am a religious lipper.

I flip anything from 4lbs and under into the boat. When Im flipping or froggin6cuz I use 65lb braid. But if mono or fluoro i lip all fish 3lbs or bigger.

Wow I thought you were going to say that your rod broke.

I am certain now to have my net ready!!!! :-)

Last year at a cottage lake I frequent. I threw a white spinnerbait 3/8 oz, it was my last cast before coming in. As the sb was near my kayak about an arms length. I saw a massive head come out of nowhere. It was a big pike. I saw my sb disappear, took me a split second to realize what was happening. I tried to set the hook but it was too late. I pulled it out of its mouth. I really need to react better.

You already know the things that cause the problem, even when you fix them you still have to remember the line, what ever size,  has little or no stretch at the boat. Power Pulled fish has cost me many $ . Little by little I developed patience with age.

I only swing in Dinks......................................