Had an interesting catch this last weekend. It may be a bit gruesome, but definitely unintentional, nor was it sight/spawn fishing, but it may be a cool anecdote on the whole pain debate.

 

I was out fishing for largemouth in West Harbor on Lake Erie (Ohio), pitching a tube against some rip rap. I felt a bite, set the hook, came up with nothing. After insisting that I had a bite, I pitch back in there, feel the tick again, same result. But, as I am reeling my bait in, I realize there is something on my hook. I think, "did I impale a minnow, a goby?"

 

Attach0 (6) by Rob Webber, on Flickr

 

After some confusion, and closer inspection, that is indeed, a lip.

 

While I am staring and laughing in disbelief, my buddy tosses his creature bait in and hooks up with a fish, and we joke about checking his lip. Well...you guessed it...

 

Attach0 (7) by Rob Webber, on Flickr

 

Attach0 (5) by Rob Webber, on Flickr

 

Pretty wild catch. No, my hookset wasn't excessive. I'd guess he already had some damage. Without the pictures, I don't think I would have told a soul, no one would have believed it!

It just goes to show you how tough these creatures are.  Would you be ready to eat again if part of your lip was ripped off?  They are tough, and resilient! 

That bass is a savage. ??

Dang, crazy!

Bass are very though fish

 

I've caught a lip before. Also caught this dandy on a 65 pointer from a small pond.

@corn-on-the-rob

my question is did you glue the lip back to that bass? Lol

So does this mean you really can't sore lip a fish???

cool story ! sent we glad they don't get human size, as aggressive as they are ,swimming might be a little dangerous! save that pic its worth framing

I caught a severely damaged bass a few years ago. The best way I can explain it  is that about a third of his head was missing. I don't know how it was still alive.

My guess is an osprey or blue heron got a hold of him for a little while. Did have a pic, but phone got wet and I couldnt retrieve it.

I have caught them with what looked like life ending injuries and they were doing well.  Several were missing an eyeball.  One had a lose gill plate from an old injury and was still ready to eat.  They are tougher then many think.  They live in a violant environment and take many hits over a lifetime and keep ticking!

Rippin' lips!  ??