I went to Kentucky Lake with Bowfish12 last Saturday and had quite a day, numbers wise.  I lost 2 good ones on topwater, including what was probably my PB smallie.  This girl came about 2 feet out of the water when she hit my LC Sammy.  I played her right, did my best to keep her from going airborne (which she did anyway a couple times), didn't have my drag set too tight, and had her wore out after a long fight.  Right next to the boat as I am leading her to the net she comes unbuttoned, MAYBE 1 foot out of reach for the net and I watch her slowly swim away.  I thought maybe I had pulled a bit to hard to lead her to the net, but I saw my lure and noticed both sets of trebles, especially the rear one, were mangled all to hell.  She had broken one of the 3 hooks off of the rear treble!  Anyhow after quite a few outbursts I finally calmed down and we got back to it.  We caught alot of fish but nothing really worth takin pics of, so we had a pretty fun day, minus my nausea over losing what was surely a a 6lb + smallmouth.  Hope ya'll have been catchin 'em too!  Thanks again for takin me out on your boat Randal!  Here's a pic of my beat up Sammy...

Great story anyhow. I felt like I was standing next to you!

You'll get her next time.

8-)

Nice story! Too bad you didn't land her.

Hey that's not problem we'll do it again soon, I enjoyed it. I still can't believe she broke those hooks, especially after going airborne several times and not coming off.

Wow Joe, that's a Drag...or the lack thereof  ;D Sounds like Big Brownies are demolition experts. You'll get your chance again at one like that and I bet you come out on top  

www.ragetail.com

Drag is one thing I've learned allot about this year. I think it's a great tool that's caused me to have allot more confidence in landing big fish on light line and treble hooks. There was a time I would never use 10lb test on a baitcaster because I was worried I'd never be able to land the big one. Now after landing  many big LM and a 10lb cat on light line with good drag. I realize light line can also be a great tool and helps you mentally from hogging the fish.  Glad you had such a good time and sorry you lost a big one. Now go get some new hooks and get back out there!

How does a fish bend the hooks like that?  Do they get leverage against the body of the lure?  Are the hooks weaker than your line?

Would be nice to get to the root cause so that you can prepare appropriately to ensure that it does not happen again (or ever to me)!