So my friend and I went fishing today.  We wanted to learn how to fish docks (we're both 15). This is why we chose his 127 acre lake. We fished out of a 12 foot V-hull, modded to a bass boat. We had so much stuff that we easily surpassed the 450 pound weight limit. I had just spent an hour or two researching docks and stuff. I stuck with the neko rig.  We reached a good looking pair of docks. I jokingly jumped on to the dock, Alex Peric style, after getting bit. Was unable to get that fish. Next cast to the other dock, I hooked the the propeller of a docked boat. I thought i was going to break off. And then... it started MOVING! My friend and i were shocked. once I got the bass close to the shore (using an 8 pound Seaguar leader and 20 pound braid), we saw just how big it was. We were shocked to see a 24" bass at the end of my line. By this time my good friend came onto the dock too. I screamed NET. But, he had left it at the boat ramp. so i handed him the reel and told him to back reel while i landed it. Before he could flip the switch, the fish jumped and broke the leader in HALF. i reached under the dock and ALMOST got her. Lesson learned and we'll get her next time...

i lost an 8.5 pounder today, while fishing a neko rig on 20 pound braid to an 8 pound leader. I gave the rod to my friend while i lipped her, before he could back reel, the leader broke in half. I had loosely grabbed the line. i did not lip the bass fast enough i think, or very swiftly. we also forgot the net.

i was fishing an isolated dock, i broke off on and 8.5 pound bass. the neko rig is still in her mouth id assume. when can i go fish for her. also the lake is very crowded and pressured.

How do you know he was 8.5 lbs.? How do you know it's gender? Seems All beasts are at least 8 lbs...

1 minute ago, Torn Thumb said:

How do you know he was 8.5 lbs.? How do you know it's gender? Seems All beasts are at least 8 lbs...

I saw her break me off at the dock. she broke a brand new leader in half that was rated for 8 pounds. no frays. most big bass are females and you're probably jealous.

Don't wait too long. You are probably not the only one who fishes that dock and knows a big one is there. I have caught bass hours after breaking off a bait on them. I've caught them with the bait still in there lips. So I'd be back ASAP. Like yesterday, maybe the day before yesterday. But thats cause I don't catch a lot of big fish. Good luck and hope you catch that hawg.

Just now, Gundog said:

Don't wait too long. You are probably not the only one who fishes that dock and knows a big one is there. I have caught bass hours after breaking off a bait on them. I've caught them with the bait still in there lips. So I'd be back ASAP. Like yesterday, maybe the day before yesterday. But thats cause I don't catch a lot of big fish. Good luck and hope you catch that hawg.

thanks i would have waited a month, now I'm going back tomorrow at 6 am

3 minutes ago, You_Only_Live_Once_Fishing said:

thanks i would have waited a month, now I'm going back tomorrow at 6 am

Go get her and take this with ya. Better than braid.

Just now, Gundog said:

Go get her and take this with ya.

got it... tbh idk why?

1 minute ago, You_Only_Live_Once_Fishing said:

got it... tbh idk why?

Beats 8# mono. And if she's that big you're gonna need it. 

1 minute ago, Gundog said:

Beats 8# mono. And if she's that big you're gonna need it. 

ok i get it now use 800 pound straight braid

Go back tomorrow 15-30 minutes before the sun comes up and wait for the sun to come out.Fish that whole area as quiet as possible. Wear natural colored clothes.Big bass like that are smart so you have to fish smart to get them.

Good Luck ~

 btw, here's what she'll look like when you do get her.

A-Jay

Man, you've been having some tough luck lately.

A-Jay

 

Amazing you could weigh the bass before landing it.

Set the drag @ 2.5 to 3 lbs and trust it.

 

Tom

I know what you mean, I lost a 10lber today and i didn't even get as close to landing it as you did....

49 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

I know what you mean, I lost a 10lber today and i didn't even get as close to landing it as you did....

I bet you were using 9.5  pound test again weren't you  . . . . . .

A-Jay

 

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Amazing you could weigh the bass before landing it.

Set the drag @ 2.5 to 3 lbs and trust it.

 

Tom

"Nothing makes a fish grow faster, than almost being caught."

4 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Man, you've been having some tough luck lately.

A-Jay

 

Are you using Vanish by chance? 

2 hours ago, Mosster47 said:

Are you using Vanish by chance? 

No saguaro invest 8 pound test, i know it was  that big, because it broke the leader i got the day before in the middle, it had no frays. and I'm headed there now, thanks for the advice!

he was actually probably bigger than 8lb then because almost no line actually breaks at it's rated strength....

3 hours ago, You_Only_Live_Once_Fishing said:

No saguaro invest 8 pound test, i know it was  that big, because it broke the leader i got the day before in the middle, it had no frays. and I'm headed there now, thanks for the advice!

 

8 hours ago, A-Jay said:

I bet you were using 9.5  pound test again weren't you  . . . . . .

A-Jay

 

How did you guess?  

Unfortunately I landed this one:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/lake-guntersville-2012.html

If it had gotten away, I'm sure it would have weighed 12-13 lbs!

 

Ignorance is bliss. Just when you thought you heard it all it take a fish weighing slightly more than the line strength to break it.....

Tom

I believe you had a big fish but  when you state the exact weight  , thats just impossible to verify . Good luck next time . Catch that big girl and report back with a big grin on your face .

 

Well next time you will know what not to do.