So in the turkey shoot I'm flipping this pump and I get one small fish, non-keeper. The next cast I flip up by the shady side of the pump housing. My bait falls almost to the bottom when I get hit so hard it backlashes the reel. Yank yank, SNAP! It was so fast and so brutal I was just stunned. Broke 20lb test like nothing! It was the perfect big fish spot but I just couldn't believe how fast and brutal the break off was.

So I retie, make one pitch to the side, then pitch back to the same spot. It hits the bottom and just when I'm about to pull it back in, WHAM same thing!!! Hit so hard that I had no chance and broke me off on the metal pole.

At this point I was pissed so I grabbed my 25lb rod. Pitched out and got ready. The bait gets down to the bottom and I get slaughtered again. I set as hard as I could and got sawed off instantly.

Moral of the story, don't pitch right next to pumps that are sucking water up because when your bait gets into the pipe, there's some kind of blade in there that will saw you off in a split second. It cost me 3 lures and a near heart attack. lol.

Rob,I did the same thing about 3-4 months ago.:o Only thing was I never broke off and every time I would give a little slac it would feel like i had a toad on!:+
Swampy

lol sorry you had to learn the hard way