I was back in the S.C. Lowcountry today visiting family and spent some time fishing the lagoons. At one point I felt my chatterbait hit something and stop. Snagged. So I start with the bow technique trying to vibrate the line and knock it free. No dice.

 

So I move down the bank trying to get behind the snag and free it up. No go. I let out some line and move further down the bank still keeping tension on the line. I snap it and nothing then drop the rod tip to grab the line by hand and the rod bows. I’m not snagged - there is something on the line.

 

Sure enough, I let out line and it moves off slowly. So now I lock it down and try to reel it in and it doesn’t budge. Every time I give it some slack it moves off and bends the rod again. For about 25 minutes I’m trying to reel it in and barely make any headway. Then the line goes slack and I reel in my chatterbait.

 

I figure I snagged either an alligator or maybe a big turtle, but more likely a gator because turtles tend to try and swim off. Too bad I’ll never know what it was.

 

Anyway, after a slow start it turned into a decent day. I caught 8 or 9 in the 1-2 pound range and ended the day with a 5 pounder. Back at it in the morning.

Nice fish, how's your dad doing? 

7 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Nice fish, how's your dad doing? 

Dad and stepmother are still struggling health wise but they are out of the hospital. 

 

Thank you for asking.

How come you didn't jump in to get the chatterbait?

9 hours ago, Sam said:

How come you didn't jump in to get the chatterbait?

If it was a Z-Man Jackhammer I would have to think about it ?. But it was just a Chatterbait Elite and I had a backup of that same bait in my bag.

Well... we don't have gators here. But we do have grass carp, and occasionally I'll foul one. Ugh! "I want my lure back!" I shout. Sometimes, luckily, I just get a giant scale. Other times I have to fight them out. Why is it though that I most often stick them with a finesse rod! The other day, I came into a BIG fish. Thought it was a grass carp. But, it was a large cat, about 28" worth, and, yeah, it took a Ned grub on a finesse rod.

If it is a gator, I wouldn’t wanna know.

9 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

If it is a gator, I wouldn’t wanna know.

I hear you! But, I'd want my dang lure back! :))