I literally put my 1st pole in when I turned to grab one of my other ones to get it rigged and baited. It was not even 5 minutes before I turned my back when my son's girlfriend said, "Ms. Jonie, ummm, your pole." I turned around just in time to see my pole taking off into the water. I hesitated but made the quick decision that I didn't want to lose my favorite fishing pole....so I went in. I took a few steps in and the pole took off again, I went in further, in that instant I just drove in. I did however come back up with pole in hand and went to reeling. About 30ft out I saw it's big mouth pop up out of the water. I knew that I was not going to lose this one....no one would believe me. It was so much fun 😊. I finally got it to the bank and couldn't be more excited! Others fishing watched with amazement as I held it up. One man came over with a measuring tape(27 in) and wanted pictures. A second gentleman stated that he had a weight scale so I proudly carried my trophy to the fishing pier where he was at. It was a whopping 11.9lbs. We ALL just couldn't believe that I caught it off the bank to the right of the fishing pier.... and with a minnow. I am so proud 😊