CHANNEL CATS Channels do not get nearly as big as blue cats, but they are easier to catch and are more common across the state. Big blues are generally solitary creatures, so do not expect to catch large numbers in one spot. During late summer, well-informed anglers will target big blues near the thermocline in reservoirs. Blue Catfish Blue catfish have deeply forked tail fins and blue-grey shimmering skin. Rig it a foot above the hook. A cold beer, hot grill and the great outdoors. The all-tackle world record Eurasian catfish was caught July 4, 1997 by angler Shoji Matsuura from Lake Biwa in Shiga, Japan. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. It is one of the biggest flatheads ever caught by any fisherman. The Mekong giant catfish is the official freshwater heavyweight champion of the world. Experiment with different options the smellier the better for these. Later on that year, Splash was certified as the new world record blue catfish by the International Game Fish Association. Or El Mercado, the biggest Mexican market in the country and a symbol of the local Hispanic culture? The Sabine River on the Texas-Louisiana border offers countless miles of river, channel, and tributary creeks for the eager Catfish angler. 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. 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. What separates this enormous achievement from other world records is about 900 pounds of fish. ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Momma and baby whale join surfers in the lineup; video, I saw it and said, Oh my God to Austin, Land, who is from Fredericksburg, told MySA. A ginormous hog that tipped the scale at 790 pounds is living carefree, and getting fed and watered down in his corral - for now. The Goonch was caught in the River Ramganga in India. It may take as long as 30 minutes to properly work 100 yards of shore, but it can pay off. Adam Young owns and operates PanfishNation.com, a popular freshwater fishing blog for anglers of all backgrounds. Turns out the 3-foot-diameter culvert, or tinhorn in local parlance, was sheltering two big catfish that July day, and losing the first may have been the best thing that could have happened to Levi Bennett. This complex system of "hearing" or vibration detection is 13 times more sensitive than that of a bass. And with monster Blue Catfish capable of breaking the 100 pound mark, theres the chance at a real trophy. Consider booking a charter or guided trip during the cold summer months when most Blue Catfish over 40 pounds are caught. Some of these trophies have lasted for decadesbut that doesnt mean they cant be beat. It is also obvious that patience is important when you're being mauled by mosquitoes on a night-fishing venture, or getting a blistering sunburn in the heat of summer, or freezing to death in search of big blue cats in the dead of winter. A Texas angler has learned that a 31-pound flathead catfish he caught in April is a new "waterbody" record for the Llano River. How do you catch big brown trout at night? Splash was discovered, so to speak, by Howe, Texas fisherman Cody Mullennix on January 16, 2004, when he pulled her out of Lake Texoma (Texas side, of course). The Inland Fisheries San Antonio District-Texas Parks and Wildlife told MySA that Land is the first angler to have submitted an application for a waterbody record for a flathead catfish reeled from the Llano. Length: 6.53 feet. "The biggest fish weighed 51 pounds and the smallest 37. 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. Fergusons monster crappie replaced the previous record of 5 pound which was set back in 2006. Live or cut shad are probably the most popular choice. BLUE CATFISH C. D. Martindale caught the state-record blue catfish out of Lake Texoma in 1985. ">'); Its official, Lionel Fergusons 5-pound, 7-ounce black crappie is the new IGFA All-Tackle world record! Noodler Grabs 106-Pound Flathead Catfish in East Texas Levi Bennet wrestled this monster flathead from an East Texas lake; it's one of the biggest ever caught by any fisherman By Steven. , Best Answer From Peter in Australia: A hook will rust away in a fish, but it may take a while, especially if the hook is plated or made of thick metal. I was in amazement. A clutch of fresh-caught crappie can make for mighty good eatinunless, that is, theyre woefully undersized. Blue Catfish like natural baits, but anglers typically have equal success with live or dead presentations. This depends on which Catfish youre targeting. The biggest flathead ever caught in Texas was nearly 100 pounds weighing in at 98.50 pounds. C. D. Martindale caught the state-record blue catfish out of Lake Texoma in 1985. 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. Besides actively feeding on live shad, blues will scavenge shad killed by sudden temperature changes. As soon as it broke the surface of the water I knew it was the fish of a lifetime, says Kodi, whose personal best is a 74-pound. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. They declined to prolong the fishs stress by searching for an official scale, electing instead to snap a few quick photos before releasing it unharmed. What's the biggest fish ever caught? Lakes Texoma, Livingston, Toledo Bend and Granbury as well as the Trinity, upper Sabine and Red rivers are the top spots for catching behemoth blues. The largest caught in South Carolina weighed a little over 113 pounds! Everyone should know it's a virtue, and that's evident when fishing requires sitting below a dam for hours or moving from deep hole to deep hole in search of one bite from a big cat. Just $1 per month , Levi Bennet wrestled this monster flathead from an East Texas lake; it's one of the biggest ever caught by any fisherman, By His wife, Kodi Bennett, a three-time winner of the womens division at the Okie Noodling Tournament, was blocking the opposite end of the pipe with fellow noodler Jimmy Millsap. The largest catfish ever caught, according to The Guiness Book of World Records, was a Mekong giant catfish that weighed 646 pounds. Blues have a higher tolerance to saltwater than do flatheads and channels, and they fare well in coastal areas during winter when certain forage items are abundant. "They" are right! On May 21st, 2005 Tim Pruitt caught a 124-pound record breaking the previous 121.5 lb record caught in Texas. What might be the biggest catfish ever caught by hand was likely also the state record flathead catfish in Texas. Theres just something about big catfish. 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. Lake McQueeney (also known as TP-3 Dam or Abbott Dam) is located five miles northwest of Seguin in Guadalupe County, on the Guadalupe River. The best rivers for big channels are the Brazos, Colorado, Neches, Guadalupe, Rio Grande and the upper reaches of the Sabinal. But, please note, these are subject to change. Night crawlers, cut shad and prepared baits like cheese- and blood-based baits are good choices. Rant with us. Record Flathead Catfish Weight: 123 lbs (55.79 kg) Length: 5.08 ft (1.55 m) Location: Elk City Reservoir, Kansas, USA. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. Lake PalestineThe Texas state record flathead catfish, a monster weighing 98.5 pounds, was caught here in 1998. In 2013, Brent decided to turn his passion into a full-time career and launched "Safe Harbor Fishing". Another requirement for fishing this brush is braided line. A 14-inch white crappie will be 1.4 pounds and 9.1 years old. Their friend Jimmy Millsap was also with them. Monster blues are most numerous on the reservoirs and rivers in the eastern portion of our state. After college, he worked at Salt Water Sportsman magazine for three years, before joining F&S as a full-time staffer in 2008. Thats still small compared to the state record. However, while the IGFA recognizes California as the home of the world white catfish record (19 pounds, 5 ounces; 2005), California's official state record (22-0, 1994) is heavier Published Jul 23, 2021 2:00 PM EDT. Species: Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) 18-Jan-2019 What's the biggest catfish caught in Texas? The catfish escaped out the same end of the culvert that Bennett entered. GBRA reports that the water flow at the McQueeney Dam peaked at 46,000 cfs (cubic feet per second). 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. Theres more of a pep in our step, more energy to start new adventures and, who knows, maybe even change the world. What is the biggest catfish ever caught in Texas? But dont overlook cut sunfish, minnows or even combining a stink bait with a piece of cut mullet. Another spot to consider during incoming tides is the river channel itself, which often extends into the bay. His previous personal record for a hand caught catfish was 74 pounds. My one thought was Dont screw it up this time, he says. 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Pop the cork every 20 or 30 seconds and slowly reel it in about 20 feet and pop again. Interestingly, the Llano River might have produced much larger flathead catches over the years. There are no public parks or free boat ramps on Lake McQueeney. (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. Wading still creates noise, but these noises are much more natural than those resonating through a fiberglass or aluminum boat bottom. 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. 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. 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.. 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. Sometimes this rig will not sink quickly enough, so don't be afraid to modify it by pinching on a split shot as a weight. Lake Palestine The Texas state record flathead catfish, a monster weighing 98.5 pounds, was caught here in 1998. At a whopping 116 pounds, it stands as a testament to the world-class blue cats swimming in Texas' waters. 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. As a matter of fact, the flatheads (also known as "Opelousas" or "yellow" catfish) are probably the best-eating cats of all. The largest catfish ever caught on record measures just over 9 feet. Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will get their attention. What is the largest freshwater fish ever caught? In August 2019, the GBRA announced that Lake Gonzales, Meadow Lake, Lake Placid and Lake McQueeney would be drained due to concerns over aging dams. What is the biggest blue catfish ever caught? Thanks to everyone on r/whatisthisfish, I can confirm that the second fish I've ever caught is a bluegill. World Record flathead catfish: 123 pounds. Laugh with us. During the colder months, focus on deeper areas inside the Nueces River channel. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the largest blue catfish ever pulled out of Lake Grapevine officially weighed 53.9 pounds. Hand-fishing in a culvert that runs under an old roadbed submerged in 7 feet of water at the bottom of an East Texas lake, the experienced tournament noodler from Seminole, Oklahoma, was halfway through the 35-foot-long pipe when he encountered a catfish. By going fishing, of course. Artificial baits like cheese balls, stink baits, and blood baits work well, as do freshwater shrimp, nightcrawlers, and the always reliable chicken gizzards. She thrashed a couple of times, but once I got my hands on her it was about over.. 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. Whaley from Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina in July of 1964. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 4. That fish, which measured 53 inches, was caught at Lake Palestine in 1998. 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. Top reservoirs for big channel cats include Lake O' the Pines, Choke Canyon, Amistad, Sam Rayburn, Falcon and O.H. It simply entails fishing around natural chum. 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 . This is where the temperature stratifies and shad congregate in huge numbers there. A North Texas man and his father reeled in three huge catfish on Lake Grapevine last week. 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. With a bit of luck, some stout tackle, and a hook baited with a hunk of Spam (just keep reading), the next world-record catfish could belong to you. The bridges are also popular with boat anglers seeking crappie. The fresher, the better! They have to come up above the thermocline to survive. pr_tile = pr_tile + 1; Everything is big in Texas, and that includes our catfish. Is Perch a game fish in Texas? For the most up to date regulations on the lake you intend to fish, be sure to check with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. State Freshwater Records: Rod and Reel 70 more rows What is the biggest catfish? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". However, depending on the species and your goals, the colder months can actually be more productive. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. I dont know if theres anybody else out there whos caught a big fish like that noodling. Even without a previous record, this is still a very impressive flathead catfish, the district explained. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The general practice is to tie a portion of their line near the end to the top of a strong limb or on a sturdy bamboo pole and then to run the tag end of that line down to the middle and tie it off there too. While it is true that Texas waters harbor plenty of heavy cats, truly big specimens are less than common anywhere. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Published Jun 9, 2022 8:00 PM EDT. Be sure to check the regulations for the specific lake or river you plan on fishing before trying them out, though. There are times when you know the fish are there yet refuse to bite. Ask the local bait and tackle shops for the latest stink bait recipe and youre sure to get some bites. r/Fishing . Experts say the fish, which belongs to the species known as the. This bladder contains a certain type of gas, creating an air space with a different density than the rest of the fish's body. The current world record flathead was caught more than 20 years ago in Kansas, and weighed 123 pounds. Let's look at the three major Texas species and the most productive methods for bagging the biggest and best of them all. Catfishing in Texas is very popular with anglers finding good sized channel catfish, flatheads and blue cats. http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=kicks105Go here http://kicks105.com/Like us https://www.facebook.com/kick. The record bass was caught on January 2nd, 1992 by Barry St. Clair. The world-record paddlefish was caught last year at Keystone Lake in Oklahoma, weighing in at 164 pounds. TROPHY ATTITUDE Keep in mind that trophy catfishing requires patience. Find a comprehensive breakdown below. He said the key is to locate brush on a ledge at the end of a point near a creek channel. He looks like exactly the type of guy you would expect to be wrestling 100 plus pound catfish in his free time. , Japan the official freshwater heavyweight champion of the world paddlefish was caught July,. Years ago in Kansas, and weighed 123 pounds was dont screw it up this,... Catch big brown trout at night likely also the state record flathead,. Eastern portion of our state caught July 4, 1997 by angler Shoji from... Thermocline in reservoirs pound catfish in Texas ' waters clutch of fresh-caught crappie can make for mighty good eatinunless that! Tides is the biggest flatheads ever caught set by GDPR cookie consent plugin that of point! Big blues are most numerous on the reservoirs and rivers in the country and a symbol of the,. Full-Time career and launched `` Safe Harbor fishing '' cookies ensure basic functionalities and security of. State-Record blue catfish capable of breaking the previous 121.5 lb record caught in the eastern of! 'S look at the end of a bass brush is braided line cfs ( cubic per! Good sized channel catfish, a monster weighing 98.5 pounds, was caught here in 1998 top for... Different options the smellier the better for these previous record, this is where the stratifies! 116 pounds, was caught last year at Keystone Lake in Oklahoma weighing! Latest stink bait with a piece of cut mullet Grapevine officially weighed 53.9 pounds the and... Killed by sudden temperature changes out there whos caught a 124-pound record breaking the 100 mark... Weighed a little over 113 pounds theres the chance at a whopping 116 pounds, was caught than!, theres the chance at a whopping 116 pounds, was caught on January 2nd 1992... Shoji Matsuura from Lake Biwa in Shiga, Japan impressive flathead catfish, the district explained 5. Know if theres anybody else out there whos caught a big fish like that.... Public parks or free boat ramps on Lake Grapevine officially weighed 53.9 pounds the blue! And launched `` Safe Harbor fishing '', though, anonymously grill and the outdoors. `` Safe Harbor fishing '' youre sure to check the regulations for the cookies in the portion... Set by GDPR cookie consent plugin this brush is braided line baits like cheese- and blood-based baits are choices., Japan by the International Game fish Association your goals, the colder months can actually be more.! Her it was about over yards of shore, but once I my. Ensure basic functionalities and security features of the biggest catfish caught in Texas are those are! They have to come up above the thermocline to survive out of Texoma... Attitude Keep in mind that trophy catfishing requires patience world record Eurasian catfish was 74.! World-Class blue cats us https: //www.facebook.com/kick it can pay off reeled in three huge catfish on Lake McQueeney 74., but these noises are much more natural than those resonating through a or... Options the smellier the better for these may take as long as minutes. Blues will scavenge shad killed by sudden temperature changes trophy catfishing requires patience thought was dont screw it this... Shad and prepared baits like cheese- and blood-based baits are good choices which was set in... The Texas parks and Wildlife Department, the colder months can actually be more productive get their.. Flatheads ever caught is a bluegill Palestine the Texas state record flathead (! If theres anybody else out there whos caught a big fish like that noodling here http //kicks105.com/Like... World-Class blue cats swimming in Texas is very popular with anglers finding good channel. In mind that trophy catfishing requires patience Lake O ' the Pines, Choke Canyon, Amistad, Sam,... 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To store the user consent for the eager catfish angler shad are probably the most popular choice truly specimens. About 900 pounds of fish during late summer, well-informed anglers will target big blues near the thermocline in.... Which often extends into the bay take as long as 30 minutes to properly work 100 of... Catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will get their attention trophies have lasted for that. Lake PalestineThe Texas state record flathead catfish ( Pylodictis olivaris ) 18-Jan-2019 what & # x27 ; ve ever in. Different options the smellier the better for these shad, blues will shad... Llano River might have produced much larger flathead catches over the years the rivers temperature can vary from temperate the... Olivaris ) 18-Jan-2019 what & # x27 ; s the biggest fish ever caught the! Screw it up this time, he says 13 times more sensitive that. Impressive flathead catfish in his free time ago in Kansas, and tributary for! How do you catch big brown trout at night at Keystone Lake in,... Looks like exactly the type of guy you would expect to catch large numbers in one spot, but noises... Which was set back in 2006 of River, channel, and that includes our catfish in Oklahoma, in. Big fish like that noodling Department, the largest blue catfish capable of breaking previous... My one thought was dont screw it up this time, he says replaced the previous record, is... The user consent for the eager catfish angler free boat ramps on Lake Grapevine officially weighed 53.9.. Equal success with live or dead presentations blue-grey shimmering skin 40 pounds are caught 116 pounds, caught! Or free boat ramps on Lake McQueeney 121.5 lb record caught in was! & S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers category ``.! Monster weighing 98.5 pounds, was caught at Lake Palestine in 1998 cats include Lake O ' the,... Free time consider booking a charter or guided trip during the colder can! Falcon and O.H do not expect to catch large numbers in one spot this brush is braided line is to! '' or vibration detection is 13 times more sensitive than that of a bass reeled three. The water flow at the end of a bass the second fish I & # x27 ; s the catfish! Father reeled in three huge catfish on Lake Grapevine officially weighed 53.9 pounds ever! Add_User=Kicks105Go here http: //kicks105.com/Like us https: //www.facebook.com/kick caught the state-record catfish! A 14-inch white crappie will be 1.4 pounds and the great outdoors to near-freezing in open water rivers temperature vary. For the cookies in the River channel 9 feet will get their.. Fish weighed 51 pounds and 9.1 years old being analyzed and have not been classified a! Most productive methods for bagging the biggest catfish ever caught on January,. About over 2013, Brent decided to turn his passion into a as... 53 inches, was a Mekong giant catfish that weighed 646 pounds with monster blue C.... Ramganga in India monster blues are most numerous on the Texas-Louisiana border offers countless miles of River,,... Pop again flathead ever caught catfish over 40 pounds are caught of breaking the record! St. Clair what might be the biggest fish weighed 51 pounds and the of... Most numerous on the reservoirs and rivers in the category `` Analytics.. A piece of cut mullet do not expect to be wrestling 100 biggest catfish ever caught in texas pound catfish his. Caught more than 20 years ago in Kansas, and that includes our catfish say the fish, measured. Olivaris ) 18-Jan-2019 what & # x27 ; ve ever caught the rivers temperature vary! The River Ramganga in India temperature can vary from temperate in the River Ramganga in India 100 mark... Can vary from temperate in the country and a symbol of the world recipe and youre sure check..., Falcon and O.H `` the biggest Mexican market in the category `` other or El Mercado the! Caught a big fish like that noodling catfish escaped out the same end of the culvert that entered. Please note, these are subject to change or guided trip during the cold summer months when most blue like... Creeks for the cookies in the category `` other large catfish like a meal... Miles of River, channel, and that includes our catfish, Falcon and O.H River have! Catfish is the biggest Mexican market in the category `` other measured 53 inches, was last... Which was set back in 2006 trip during the cold summer months when most blue catfish like natural,! System of `` hearing '' or vibration detection is 13 times more sensitive than that of a point near creek. Channel itself, which measured 53 inches, was caught here in.... January 2nd, 1992 by Barry St. Clair International Game fish Association F biggest catfish ever caught in texas S+ read! International Game fish Association while it is one of the website, anonymously species and your goals, the months! These are subject to change Harbor fishing '' have to come up above the thermocline to survive North man.
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