So I was out fishing a Plymouth bog pond yesterday. Fishing was slow in the morning then it got hot for a few hours as some clouds rolled in and the breeze picked up. After a couple hours it died again. I had gone maybe 30-45 minutes without a bite and my attention was fading. I pitch into a pocket in some weeds, lift, drop ,lift, drop all while looking around at the trees, birds and landscape. I lift again with the intention of pulling the bait out and pitch to another spot when what could have possibly been my new personal best ( currently 7.8 lbs) grabbed my bait at the top and turned. The line went tight I pulled her to the top of the weeds she came out of the pocket I pitched in, shook her head and spit my bait at me. I never got a hookset into her because I let my self get distracted and I was not focused on that I was doing. I got a good look at her and I am guessing it was an 8+ fish. 
I was done at that point. I fished around the area for 15 minutes and even lamely attempted to throw back in the same spot even though I knew I had no shot at her biting again.
Moral of the story. Always be focused and pay attention to what you are doing. Always be ready because you never know when....
I was done at that point. I fished around the area for 15 minutes and even lamely attempted to throw back in the same spot even though I knew I had no shot at her biting again.
Moral of the story. Always be focused and pay attention to what you are doing. Always be ready because you never know when....
I definitely notice myself losing concentration at times. At least I am now getting to the point where I eventually realize it and can do something about it. Little things like not texting or eating/drinking with a line in the water, or bigger things like stopping what I am doing and collecting myself if I notice a lack of concentration. It's hard, though. After 6 hours of slow river fishing in the sun, cleaning the trolling motor of weeds every 3-5 minutes, it's very easy to get fatigued/distracted.
Rich, sorry about the missed PB fish. It's a sickening feeling when it happens, I can completely relate to just not being in it after that. Fingers crossed that she'll have added half a pound when you do stick her!
Rich, sorry about the missed PB fish. It's a sickening feeling when it happens, I can completely relate to just not being in it after that. Fingers crossed that she'll have added half a pound when you do stick her!
