On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 21:52:38 -0600, rw
wrote:

Willi wrote:

My memory sucks and I take your word for how it happened.

The taking a tough fish is the important part and I remembered that part
right!

One funny thing about that fish, to me, is that I didn't mind losing
him. He had his escape route all planned out and he executed perfectly,
as though he'd practiced, which he may well have. :-)
[snipped]

I think big fish *do* have escape routes - or routines, tricks, whatever.

Last weekend I had what appeared to be the biggest smallie of the day smash my
popper, rush my wee boat (leaving me awash in slack) and then wrap around a
submerged log. All this happened in about 10 seconds.

I reeled up snug, couldn't feel anything moving, just a tight and fast "stuck
to the log" feeling. I tried feeding a little slack, then a little more, then
a bit more - and my popper floated to the surface, sans smallie.

/daytripper (I'll get that big bastid the next time ;-)