Bob La Londe wrote:

The bait was broken in half by the fish but you don't think it had it in
its mouth? What kind of bait was it?


Jointed topwater. Broke at the joint. Its a nice alternative topwater.
You swim it slow or fast and it makes a disturbance at the surface. Kids
like it because they can see something happening, and it does work. Its one
of my favorite baits to put on for a kid. Its poor contruction though. I
keep playing with the idea of making something that is little better
constructed.

Did you recover both halves or did one half stay with the fish? Seems to
me that if the fish broke the plug in half, the problem was all with the
plug construction and had nothing to do with waiting to feel the fish.