BERLIN - A fish caught in an east German lake near the Polish border not only got off the hook but also lured a 46-year-old fisherman to his death, police in the eastern town of Eisenhuettenstadt said Tuesday.

A police spokeswoman said the fish pulled the fishing rod out of the man’s hands and dragged it about 100 meters (about 328 feet) away from shore at the Kleinen Pohlitzer lake near Eisenhuettenstadt. The man took off his clothes and swam after the runaway fish and pole.

A witness said the man reached the rod floating on the surface but then suddenly stopped moving. The 54-year-old witness swam out to help the fisherman and pulled him back to shore, where he was later pronounced dead, police said.

“I know it sounds like an incredible story but it really happened,” an Eisenhuettenstadt police spokeswoman said. “It was apparently just an ordinary fish.”
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I've had that happen before but I've never drowned before, heh. Old guy probably had a heart attack trying to swim fast enough not to lose his rod.

Poor man and they Fishing is relaxing.

Whoa.

Now this is what Irony is!

how sad people should be aware of fishing

Maybe the fish are beginning to fight back!?!?!?!?!?

power to the fish!

Freak accident . .

i knew trhey were planning... too many of em have been dieing for them not to want revenge you know what i m ean?

That's karma all right.

Wow, what a horrible way to die.

It didn't say, but it sounds like he probably had cardiac arrest.

I guess for a dedicated fisherman this would be the ultimate way to die

WHY would you swim after the pole?
wouldn't you get a boat or something?

and yes, it does sound like he had a heart attack or something similar.

the hunter became the hunted (starting a new t.v show when fish attack)

When the pole goes in the water.... you have very little time and not much idea where it has gone... you want your pole back asap! Tis happened to me more then once... each time I jumped in fully clothed after my pole.

I have never had that happen to me my rod just seems to snap