Sad ending for a 9 year old

[harvey lee]

Last night I took a father and his 9 year old son out catfishing. They have fished for channels and caught some but niether have ever done battle with a flattie. WE set up around 8 last night for what I hoped would be the time of thier life.

At approx 10:45, Dan's rod started to pumped and then just doubled over. He says Tom, I got a big one. I grabbed his rod out of the rod holder and got the fished hooked and they pulled one rod out of the way. I told his dad to help him hold the rod as it was a better sized fish. They both pulled and cranked on that flattie for a few minutes and I told them to take thier time. The fish was starting to surface and I had the net ready. When Mr Big hit close to the surface, he made one big splash and turned and the fish was gone. Dan just sat there and was really bummed out. His dad had tied a 30# leader on his 65# test line and it broke as the drag may have been to tight.

This fish had to be 45 inches and she was chunky. What a first fish to almost catch. I told Dan not to worry as we could get out many more times this summer and we would look for another sumo kitty. One smaller one hooked and 1 swing and a miss by yours truely.

[icehousebob]

Harvey, that would have been like a kid on his first deer hunt dropping a fourteen pointer if he had landed it. Nowhere to go but down. I'll bet you got that kid hooked and he's going to want to go back for another round. or two. or more.

[harvey lee]

Your right as he wanted to stay until the sun came up this morning. I got home around three am and he was sleeping after being in the truck for 5 minutes. I told him we would get out again shortly. Looks like I have a new 9 year old buddy.

[Fish'n guy]

Tom your a good guy! Bet he has the fever hardcore!! LOL!!

[hanson]

Even though you lost the fish, I'm sure it was quite the experience for him.

I always say the devil is in the details and unfortunately, that seams to be the case. A big fish will exploit any weakness in your setup at any given moment.

I have personally snapped 80lb Power Pro on 2 separate hooksets when the fish have been on a good run. You might want to reconsider that 65lb PP. Remember... bass fisherman use 80lb on their "slop rods".