They hit live baits almost exclusively, preferring perch, suckers and carp to nasty, stinky prepared baits. At a whopping 116 pounds, it stands as a testament to the world-class blue cats swimming in Texas' waters. The Native Range of Flathead Catfish In America. But what about the biggest catfish Mauck: In Lake Texoma, we've had a blue catfish that was 118 pounds that was caught in the lake. Moore has been using a custom-built rod originally built for snapper fishing around offshore platforms, but the 7-foot Ugly Stik flippin' rods have proved equally effective. "I was idling and saw the fish pop on my sonar and moved that direction," Jones said. It was the largest Blue Catfish ever caught in Texas on Rod/Reel that was tagged and released. Key zones to look for include freshwater mussel beds, logjams in 30 to 50 feet of water, and where large creeks meet the main body of a reservoir or a river. The largest fish caught in Tennessee of either class was a 130-lb Blue Catfish caught on Ft. Loudoun Reservoir in 1976 by three fishermen using commercial gear. With Blue Catfish, the anal fin has a straight edge and 3036 rays. He said they are prime locations for finding big blues. Lake Texoma Texas, 121.5 Pounds, Cody Mullenix The blue catfish caught by Mullenix weighed in at 121.5 lbs, which was not only a Texas state record but also a world record. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. A lake that has been officially dubbed the "Catfish Capital of Texas," Lake Tawakoni is an impoundment of over 37,000 acres on the Sabine River and Caddo Creek, within a comfortable drive of Dallas. The world's largest catfish Weighing up to 660 lb (300 kg) and measuring up to 10.5 ft (3.2 m), Pangasianodon gigas is not only the world's largest catfish; it is also listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest freshwater fish. To me, its not worth killing a fish that big and that old just to have some record., I think we get more thrill out of the experience of it than a record, Kodi adds. Consult with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for exclusions. Fish in the dive tank may be viewed any time the center is open. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Whats the biggest catfish caught in Texas? He didnt believe me when I said it was huge.. The 26,000-gallon aquarium there provides the perfect venue for Splash shows, and she has been drawing crowds. Largest spot out of the 5 I caught this morning. The state-record blue catfish was caught in Lake Texoma, tipping the scales at 121.5 pounds. "The biggest fish weighed 51 pounds and the smallest 37. I said, Hes gone. I was mad., No, hes right here, Kodi told her husband. Location: Kerr Lake, Buggs Island, Virginia. Out of habit I started in backwards, but I realized that if I was going to catch this fish, Id better turn around. Weighing in at 37 pounds, 14 ounces, the cat measured 46.46 inches with a chunky 39-inch girth. The most recent record breaker is a white catfish that was caught by Ben Tomkunas in Connecticut. How do you get rid of Cuban frogs in Florida? Paulie caught the monster on a live minnow at the . After earning a degree in biology, he spent several years working as a fishing guide, leading trips and teaching others how to catch everything from trout to salmon. A ginormous hog that tipped the scale at 790 pounds is living carefree, and getting fed and watered down in his corral - for now. Rant with us. The state of Texas has 10 species of freshwater Catfish, making it a great year-round location to target the beloved whisker fish. Its a lifestyle. , Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening day of trout season. Country is more than just a steel guitar. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission certified the state record flathead catfish weighing 69.9 pounds, measuring 48.5 inches long, 38.25 inches in circumference. The hog was bagged after what could be a catch of a lifetime for. If you're new, Subscribe! The state-record channel cat is a 36.5-pounder that was caught in the Pedernales River. However, the fish was thrown back in the water before it was weighed on an officially certified scale so it wont be showing up in the record books. Youll also want to know exactly how many fish you can keep and which size. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. He's been contacted bombarded by a media blitz ever since as news outlets from as far away as Maine pick up on the . And once I began to fish it, I found that to be true.". Later on that year, Splash was certified as the new world record blue catfish by the International Game Fish Association. What is the largest freshwater fish ever caught? The blog quickly gained a following, thanks to Brent's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the sport. GBRA reports that the water flow at the McQueeney Dam peaked at 46,000 cfs (cubic feet per second). During late summer, well-informed anglers will target big blues near the thermocline in reservoirs. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Whats the first thing that comes to mind when you think of San Antonio? Since temperatures along the Gulf Coast can range from the 70s down into the 20s during winter, often there are large kills of menhaden and shrimp for the cats to dine on. Smoke-colored Fireline is his personal preference for pulling cats out of heavy structure, but there are several quality lines on the market that will get the job done. If youre fishing the swift currents of Texass many rivers, you may need as much as 5 ounces of lead to keep your bait down. Even for the big-fish fisherman, he said, the average catfish haul is 40 to 50 pounds, and he pointed out that the world record for a blue catfish (which normally looms larger than the flathead . While most of the sub-species of Catfish found in Texas are Bullheads , the Lone Star State is also home to the "Big 3" - Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish . Country music is the lifeblood of Whiskey Riff, and we pride ourselves on standing firmly in the corner of the independent artists, and those few in the mainstream still doing it the right way. Consider hiring a professional Texas catfishing guide to help you catch the fish of your dreams! Top reservoirs for big channel cats include Lake O' the Pines, Choke Canyon, Amistad, Sam Rayburn, Falcon and O.H. Easley's fishwhich measured 8 feet long with a 44-inch girthwas just 25 pounds shy of a 279-pound alligator gar caught in the Rio Grande, Texas, in 1951 that the International Game Fish . The current all-tackle bluegill record is held by T. Hudson, who caught a 4-pound 12-ounce fish on April 9, 1950 in Alabamas Ketona Lakes. Catfish . Top-5 Largest Catfish Ever Caught In the US #1 - 143 pounds Where: Virginia - Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) The anglers discovered a tattooed human forearm while gutting a shark they'd caught off the coast of Argentina. The 21-pound 3-ounce fish smashed the previous state record of 12-pounds 7.5-ounces. If you want to specifically target Flathead Catfish, be sure your bait is alive! I hope this helps answer your questions. The previous angling world record, 124 lb, was caught by Tim Pruitt on May 22, 2005, in the Mississippi River. The best rivers for big channels are the Brazos, Colorado, Neches, Guadalupe, Rio Grande and the upper reaches of the Sabinal. The 3,000-acre Fayette County Reservoir near La Grange is an overlooked but excellent choice. Conn was fishing on Lake OH Ivie on Monday Feb. 13, 2023 when the big fish bit. Species: Blue catfish Weight: 109 pounds 12 ounces World Record Line Class: 8-pound Location: Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee Date: March 31, 2005 Lure or Bait Used: Cut bait 6) 12-Pound Line Class World. The best playlists in country musicperiod. One way to tell the difference between white and black crappies is by their size & body shape. This method requires a rod with plenty of backbone to yank the fish from the cover. What is the biggest catfish ever caught in Texas? The big bass parade out of Texas shows no signs of slowing down, as Texas angler Jason Conn just added one of the biggest bass ever caught in the state to the list. great white sharkAccording to IGFA records, the Read More What'S The Biggest Fish Ever Caught In Texas? What is the biggest catfish ever caught in Texas? You know what "they" say: Everything's bigger in Texas. Jacob Land, 19, landed the 41-inch catfish while kayak fishing . Now a catfish that big would surely kick most peoples ass, but Levi Bennett looks like he could be Stone Cold Steve Austins little brother or playing defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys. Cats can't resist a good cormorant roost.". Weight: 341 Pounds. The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is located at 5550 FM 2495, four miles east of Athens. What is the largest catfish ever caught in North America? This big-fish story has a happy ending for the fisherman, the fish and the good people at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, Texas, where Splash found her new home. Remember, your bait selection and fishing location are the best way to target a specific type of Catfish. Black Crappie tend to grow larger than white crappie overall. What is the biggest catfish in the United States? I dont know if theres anybody else out there whos caught a big fish like that noodling. Andersons monster blue catfish was taken to Mecklenburg Farm Supply in Chase City Virginia because it was the only place within the area that had scales large enough to perform the official weigh-in. Burleigh likes to anchor on top of a hump and make long cats toward the deep water with a slip-rig and fishes around the boat with a slip-float. "They" are right! The Goonch was caught in the River Ramganga in India. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Grabbing the fishs bottom lip with his left hand and the gill plate with his right, he emerged with his biggest catch evera 58-inch-long flathead that topped 100 pounds. It all depends on your ambitions and hobbies. if youre concerned about temperature drops in the water, be sure and bring an insulated swimming outfit, like a thermal , Know Where Youre Wading Scout Ahead. Consider booking a charter or guided trip during the cold summer months when most Blue Catfish over 40 pounds are caught. Dave Burruss, the owner of Clear Lake Outdoors in Lakeport, California, was fishing on Feb. 17, 2021. Any tips or tricks youd like to share? These giant catfish live in the dusky waters of the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. Johnny D. Anderson caught the blue catfish, weighing 63.5 pounds and. Ive never seen a fish that big.. On Whiskey Riff Raff, Steve Gazibara and Wes Langeler give an unfiltered and unapologetic take on country music, life, and all the craziness that comes with it. Typically, Channel Catfish also have spots (especially when 10 pounds or smaller), whereas Blue Catfish tend to be spotless (although this is not always the case). It may take as long as 30 minutes to properly work 100 yards of shore, but it can pay off. >> Solitude & Shallows - Chandeleur Island, >> South Carolina Creates Second Inshore Reef. Visitors remember this city for its unique beauty, but [], As soon as we feel spring approaching, our mood improves significantly. The fish was certified at 143 pounds with a length of 57 inches and a girth of 47 inches. Second, limblining is a great way to catch big blues. Rocky Baker from Four Oaks, Johnston County, caught the blue catfish on Sunday in the Roanoke . They are true marvels of nature, and require loads of patience and reliable equipment to catch. That's still small compared to the state record. The pictures of the fish certainly back up the big cats record breaking credentials though. He is an experienced catfish noodler from Oklahoma, the state that first put noodling on the national scene thanks to the early 2000s documentary Okie Noodling.. Anchoring on top of the hump and pitching the free-lined bait into the deep water can result in some great catches. A fish nearly as long as the man who reeled it in is now the largest flathead catfish ever caught in the state of Florida. Sharks are not included in this roundup. But folks just love giant cats. Blue Catfish like natural baits, but anglers typically have equal success with live or dead presentations. The scale went to 94, then 95, and when it hit 97 I just about dropped it, I was so stinking excited, Bennett recalls. Land released his catfish after obtaining its weight and length. As tides displace baitfish from the marsh, catfish will gather at key junctures such as sloughs that wind into the marsh and at the mouth of the drainage itself. Mekong giant catfish Nearly nine feet long (2.7 meters) and as big as a grizzly bear, the behemoth tipped the scales at 646 pounds (293 kilograms). Later on that year, Splash was certified as the new world record blue catfish by the International Game Fish Association. Located about 40 miles east of Laredo Texas, this 83,654 acre reservoir provides some of the best Channel Catfish fishing in South Texas. Record Flathead Catfish Weight: 123 lbs (55.79 kg) Length: 5.08 ft (1.55 m) Location: Elk City Reservoir, Kansas, USA. What separates this enormous achievement from other world records is about 900 pounds of fish. Bennett once had an escaping fish smash his face and loosen some teeth, so now when he swims into tight squeezes under boat ramps or inside culverts, he goes in backwards, scuttling like a crawfish, in order to take the shock of any collision with his feet, not his face. Big blues are generally solitary creatures, so do not expect to catch large numbers in one spot. By morning, the chum has usually drawn in enough cats to justify fishing. Artificial baits like cheese balls, stink baits, and blood baits work well, as do freshwater shrimp, nightcrawlers, and the always reliable chicken gizzards. Whether its Waylon, Willie and legends of the past, or superstars in the making like Zach Bryan, our finger is always on the pulse of true country music. The biggest blue catfish caught in Texas weighed 121.5 pounds and measured 58 inches, and was caught in Lake Texoma in Jan. 16, 2004. He looks like exactly the type of guy you would expect to be wrestling 100 plus pound catfish in his free time. Whats the biggest catfish ever caught in Texas? The blue catfish is the largest freshwater sportfish in Texas. If youre an outdoor enthusiast and a passionate angler, then you cant wait for [], Nothing screams Vacation! louder than Spring Break. Monster blues are most numerous on the reservoirs and rivers in the eastern portion of our state. He was fishing with his wife Kodi, who also just happens to be a three-time winner of the womens division of the Okie Noodling Tournament, the premiere competitive noodling event in the country. How much does it cost to put caps on cats nails? Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Brent grew up spending his summers out on the water, exploring the many rivers, streams, and lakes of the region. A Texas angler has learned that a 31-pound flathead catfish he caught in April is a new waterbody record for the Llano River. Let's look at the three major Texas species and the most productive methods for bagging the biggest and best of them all. Landon Evans shows off his 117-pound, 8-ounce blue. But, please note, these are subject to change. FLATHEADS Flatheads win the ugly award among Texas catfish. The largest American paddlefish caught on record was 88 inches long, weighed 198 pounds, and was caught in West Okoboji Lake, Iowa, in 1916 by a spearfisherman. Non resident freshwater fishing licenses are available for $58, and are valid from the date of sale to August 31 of the same year. These cakes are usually put in a burlap sack weighted with rocks and then either tied off to a tree or sunk under a buoy where they are left to do their work overnight. The BIGGEST CATFISH In The World Trend Max 2.04M subscribers Subscribe 234K views 4 years ago Meet the largest catfish in the world. The most widespread of all North American catfish species, the world record channel catfish is in many ways the most surprising of all. What is the biggest fish ever caught in Texas? He started the blog as a way to share his love of fishing and the outdoors with others, and to provide tips, tricks, and advice to fellow fishermen. In fact, sometimes these smaller unknown water bodies receive significantly less fishing pressure and can yield big and plentiful catches. The scale went to 94, then 95, and when it hit 97 I just about dropped it, I was so stinking excited. Conservation groups are hailing the decision as a Ohio DNR officials say that most of the Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. Noodler Levi Bennett nabs this emormous 106-pound flathead from an East Texas lake. Home to Channel, Flathead, and Blue Catfish, Lake Corpus Christi offers a little bit of everything. Thanks to everyone on r/whatisthisfish, I can confirm that the second fish I've ever caught is a bluegill. Anglers catch gar weighing as much as 150 pounds on limblines in South and East Texas, so take all necessary precautions. Besides actively feeding on live shad, blues will scavenge shad killed by sudden temperature changes. Ken Paulie has the current all-tackle world record, with a 123-pound flathead caught May 19 1998, from Elk City Reservoir in Independence, Kansas. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. In addition, to his 13.20 pounder, Jones caught a 10.5-pound largemouth bass on that Sunday as well. The most effective baits for these areas are big chunks of gizzard shad or common carp. How deep should you fish for catfish? Use a medium-heavy casting rod and a floating rig with large live shiners or perch for bait. Michigan's flathead record (70-0) was reportedly caught while ice fishing; The IGFA world records for the four species were caught in the U.S. Veteran angler Michael Flaten set five limblines in the Sabine River one weekend and caught five catfish totaling 150 pounds in weight. Lake Tawakoni There may be no better lake in Texas for channel catfish, both in numbers and in size. He followed it out and surfaced. The Mekong giant catfish is the official freshwater heavyweight champion of the world. A RIFF on what makes the great outdoorsgreat. Jennifer Robles said her husband, Rickey, and . Many anglers simply throw a coffee can's worth of chum overboard and begin fishing. His previous personal record for a hand caught catfish was 74 pounds. His catch weighed in at 131 pounds and was also caught in the Gulf of Mexico. Please note: Special regulations may apply to certain water bodies throughout Texas. Lake Texoma Texas, 121.5 Pounds, Cody Mullenix The blue catfish caught by Mullenix weighed in at 121.5 lbs, which was not only a Texas state record but also a world record. The world record blue catfish is the from Kerr Lake in North Carolina and weighed just over 143 pounds. Pop the cork every 20 or 30 seconds and slowly reel it in about 20 feet and pop again. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the largest blue catfish ever pulled out of Lake Grapevine officially weighed 53.9 pounds. Their shovel-shaped skulls and wide mouths give them disturbing-looking mugs, but that does not mean they are undesirable as game fish. Bullhead Catfish average 13 pounds in Texas, and can be caught on a variety of baits. 4. Leave the stink baits for the Channel Cats and Bullheads. (See Texana news story Largest Catfish Found in Texas ) At 121.5 pounds, she was the largest blue catfish ever caught and held that record until a 124-pound fish was caught from the Mississippi River in 2005. They can be loaded with fish. What Lake in Texas has the biggest catfish? And if you want a more passive way to fish for Catfish, Texas does allow trotlines and bush hooks. Go to Appearance > Customize > Subscribe Pop-up to set this up. Not far from Lake Lewisville is the 6,684 acre Grapevine Lake. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This complex system of "hearing" or vibration detection is 13 times more sensitive than that of a bass. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Elroy Krueger, a fishing guide on Choke Canyon Reservoir, started bringing his clients to fish around cormorant roosts and has started a virtual catfish revolution in the Lone Star State. Alabama tops the list of must-visit states for many big-cat aficionados. The fresher, the better! Ive never seen a fish that big., For some reason she did not want to turn around and fight me and didnt try to blow out my end of the pipe, says Bennett, who was using a scuba tank and regulator. Live or cut shad are probably the most popular choice. Frank calls it "flipping.". Laugh with us. When viewing a surface map it may seem as if they river ends where the bay begins, but things may look different when viewed from the perspective offered by a depthfinder or a detailed topographical chart. What Lake in Texas has the biggest catfish? No other details about the catch are recorded by the IGFA, but subsequent stories say the fish was 15 inches long and had an incredible 18.25-inch girth. Splash came to live at TFFC on January 14, 2004, after being caught from Lake Texoma by Cody Mullennix of Howe, Texas. Frank Moore of Cove uses a highly unusual method to bag big channel cats. At a whopping 116 pounds, it stands as a testament to the world-class blue cats swimming in Texas' waters. The key is to not be afraid to just pull the fish out of the brush or you'll lose it, no matter what equipment you're using.". And that would be a hard point to counter, judging from the size of the catfish that anglers so often pull from Texas reservoirs and rivers. As soon as it broke the surface of the water I knew it was the fish of a lifetime. There have long been rumors of blue catfish as large as 300 to 350 pounds though none this large have ever been caught and officially weighed. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Big Flathead Catfish call this river system home, including a 40.5 pounder caught in April 2022 by Chase Owen Kime. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. For the sake of comparison, the overall Texas state record for flathead catfish stands at 98.5 pounds. Published Jun 9, 2022 8:00 PM EDT. Instead, we just wanted to provide some details about the top-5 biggest catfish and largemouth bass ever caught in the United States, since those are two of the most popular freshwater fish (at least in our area of the country). GBRA is the owner and operator of Lake Dunlap, Lake McQueeney, Lake Placid, Lake Nolte, Lake Gonzales, and Lake Wood located in Comal, Guadalupe, and Gonzales Counties, Texas. I turned around in the middle of the pipe, so when I got to where that fish was right by Kodi and Jimmys feet, I could get my hands on it. All rights reserved. In South and Central Texas, soured milo and wheat are the most popular forms of chum. Of 47 inches cut shad are probably the most widespread of all North American catfish,! 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Michael Flaten set five limblines in the world record blue catfish on Sunday in the United States the Dam. Anglers simply throw a coffee can 's worth of chum fishing on Feb. 17, 2021 the pictures of Mekong! A live minnow at the McQueeney Dam peaked at 46,000 cfs ( feet! Me when I said it was huge the 6,684 acre Grapevine Lake Island, Virginia shiners or perch bait. Portion of our state caught five catfish totaling 150 pounds on limblines in South Texas,! Anglers will target big blues are most numerous on the reservoirs and rivers in the revenue of purchases. Shad killed by sudden temperature changes, suckers and carp to nasty, stinky baits! Pounds with a chunky 39-inch girth bagging the biggest fish ever caught in the revenue of purchases! Cost to put caps on cats nails offers a little bit of Everything to his 13.20 pounder, caught! For a hand caught catfish was 74 pounds catch gar weighing as much as pounds. 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