The Legend...Split Tail

[Goosepond Monster]

Last September my father-in-law caught a really nice bass in his buddy's pond. We noticed it had a piece of its tail missing...



A couple of weeks later, he caught it again (and had me hold it for the picture)...



A month or so later I had a shiner under a bobber and I left it while I went to check the trail camera. I noticed when I walked back that the bobber was gone. I started reeling it in and it turns out it was my turn to catch Split Tail...



Fast forward to yesterday and I was fishing with my brother. We were targeting bluegill/bream, but I caught a dink and thought I'd see if a bass might hook up on it. I had a few take it under, but could never get hooked up. I said I was going to catch one more and then head out. Just as I said that the bobber went under and I was able to set the hook. My brother grabbed the net and I was able to hook up with Split Tail again...



The hook was into his gut some, so instead of ripping it out, I left it in there. I'm hoping that he'll get by and the hook will rust out.