finally dropped the flounder sizes

Was at IRI yesterday. Used minnows and got 3 19" flounder, horseshoe crab, skate, small striper then as I was talking to a guy next to me he says...I think you just got a hit. I walk over to my pole and when I am around 10 feet from it, it shoots air borne and into the inlet off the rail. So lost a rod/reel on something big Other than that great time and flounder for dinner.