Got Lucky 11.5 channel broke my rod: pic

Well, it looks like I got lucky,
As most of you all know I managed to boat a really nice sized flathead for the IDA tournament. I was using a 6500C3 with an 8 foot southbend. This rod was 5-7 years old. During the fight with the 44lb monster, I heard my rod popping and creaking. I was a little nervous because she was making sounds that equated to serious stress on the rod.
The following night on Sat was out fishing with my buddy Scott. We managed to boat 2 Flatheads and a 11.5 channel. We got the channel into the boat barely.
When I went for the hook set. As I set. BAM!!!! My rod broke near the reel, With an explosive Snap. It knocked my hat off and just missed hitting me in the head. It took a few seconds to register what happend. (At first I thought It was my new prize rod from 1st place in the tourny.)
I tried to reel in and couldnt with my rod folded over. So I grab the upper part and start pulling line. To my surprize I still had a fish on. So my partner Scott come over to hold the uppper section. So I can reel in and land this fish. After what seemed like an eternity. We were finally able to land the channel.
I thank my lucky stars that the Rod barely held for the Battle for the 44lb flat the night before.
Here is a pic of the rod.
thanks
Larry

here is the pic of the channel. Looks to be in pretty tough shape from the spawn. But it held its ground during the hook set

WOW!! When you set the hook you set the hook. Did you check to see if his eyes were crossed from that hookset. That is an interesting post. Never seen that before.

To be honest C15 I’d be willing to bet that both our eyes were crossed. When the rod Blew, it seemed like an M-80 went off right in front of me. It was the last thing I expected, I’m surprized I got the fish in given that I was dazed for a couple sec trying to register what happend and what I was going to do.
thanks
Larry

I knew this was going to be your post, when I clicked on it, I remeber you saying your rod was popping and cracking on the 44#er I would imagine it was intersting reeling that fish in, nice cat

We got lucky that night. It was a good time though. The flathead were on the smaller size but not bad for my first cats this year.