Nice story with a great ending. I am new to Crappie fishing this year, SlabbyJoe is taking me under his wing & sharing his new boat with me. I used to go after Green Carp but not anymore. I lost a new G Loomis & Quantum bait caster about 5-6 years ago while fishing my favorite KA farm pond with my son in a leaky old 10ft jonboat. We were fishing Slugo's near top water when I made just a cast, laid rod on my knees to grab H20 jug & take a drink, when fish hit & pulled R&R overboard before I could grab it. Could not find it by dragging rocky bottom in 6-7 fow. To this day, I never leave lure/bait in H20 unsecured.
I am Glad you retrieved your Expensive rig! Good Job.