Athens, TX - Splash came to live at TFFC on January 14, 2004, after being caught from Lake Texoma by Cody Mullennix of Howe, Texas. Not since 2014, the final year of South Texas last major drought, has the flow along our rivers and streams been this low. A catfish has no outer ears, so instead it uses its swim bladder to detect vibrations. Caught using Demon Dragons: www.demondragons.com Verified by the Texas Trophy Catfish. [6] [7] This record broke the previous blue catfish record of 121.5 lb caught from Lake Texoma, Texas. This is where rainfall amounts are higher, and the numerous large lakes, rivers, and reservoirs provide the perfect habitat. This is where the temperature stratifies and shad congregate in huge numbers there. Theres just something about big catfish. It was 57 in long and 45 in around. The local Wal-Mart provided a six-foot birthday cake for the occasion. The state-record blue catfish was caught in Lake Texoma, tipping the scales at 121.5 pounds. Anglers have success with chicken livers, dough baits, worms, crawfish, minnows, shrimp and even kool-aid soaked punch baits! He dove again, swam toward the far end of the culvert, where a second fish was trying to break through the blockade thrown up by his partners. This method requires a rod with plenty of backbone to yank the fish from the cover. "I've had J-style hooks flattened out many times and have never had that happen with a circle hook," he said. , 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. What might be the biggest catfish ever caught by hand was likely also the state record flathead catfish in Texas. Largest on record: 8 feet, 10 inches | 646 pounds. and measured 57 inches long (nearly 5 feet!). A North Carolina man caught a record-breaking catfish over the weekend that weighed 127.1 pounds. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Whats the first thing that comes to mind when you think of San Antonio? Laugh with us. Their shovel-shaped skulls and wide mouths give them disturbing-looking mugs, but that does not mean they are undesirable as game fish. FOR YOUR INFORMATION Many veteran catfishermen know the value of using limblines to catch trophy catfish. Once they caught the fish fully off the ground, the scale read 106-pounds. The largest catfish ever caught, according to The Guiness Book of World Records, was a Mekong giant catfish that weighed 646 pounds. Many of these spots have washouts created by current. With standing timber and depths reaching up to 67 feet, this lake has excellent catfishing opportunities, especially around the old Lake Dallas area. Some of these trophies have lasted for decadesbut that doesnt mean they cant be beat. Most Catfish anglers in Texas use standard Catfish gear. 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. Drink with us. (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. If you want to specifically target Flathead Catfish, be sure your bait is alive! Dive shows are at 11 a.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. It does not store any personal data. 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. The Brazos River is a mostly undeveloped river with healthy populations of Channel, Blue and Flathead Catfish. Gerald Burleigh of Orangefield likes to fish these areas on Toledo Bend and on Lake Livingston. A clutch of fresh-caught crappie can make for mighty good eatinunless, that is, theyre woefully undersized. Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". A 67 medium-heavy power rod with a 5000 series spinning reel or open-faced casting reel with a 20-40 lb test mainline will do the trick. Any tips or tricks youd like to share? The coves and creeks around many marinas have sandy or hard bottoms. Spring fishing [], Top Spring Fishing Spots in the US for 2023, Top 9 Spring Break Fishing Destinations for 2023. It is one of the biggest flatheads ever caught by any fisherman. 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. Paulie caught the monster on a live minnow at the . Live sun perch and crawfish can also entice blues. The lau-lau, or piraiba, is the largest catfish species on the IGFA record books, but there have been even larger specimens reported in the 200-kilogram (440-pound) range. 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. Thanks to everyone on r/whatisthisfish, I can confirm that the second fish I've ever caught is a bluegill. Cody Mullenix of Howe Texas caught the fish on January 16th, 2004 which became known as "Splash" while fishing at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge on Lake Texoma. 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. This species is known to live at least 15 years. On January 22 Splash celebrated her first year of residence at TFFC with a birthday bash. Ken Paulie with the world-record flathead caught in 1998. 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. Opportunistic feeders, flathead catfish will munch on anything from oysters to live bluegills. 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. The state record, an 18.18-pound largemouth bass caught at Lake Fork, has stood since 1992. This California slab is the most recently caught record crappie on our list. Crappie can be found throughout the reservoir, but some of the most popular shoreline angling locations are Lake Arrowhead State Park and the four bridges. The best states for crappie fishing include Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri in no particular order! https://ftw.usatoday.com/2021/07/texas-angler-sets-catfish-record-but-where-was-the-competition, Predicting where the NFL's top 21 free agents will wind up in 2023, 2023 NFL mock draft: Shaking up the top 6 with trades (and a Chicago Bears haul), NHL March power rankings: The East is so loaded as the trade deadline approaches, 1 side-by-side MLB video should convince you the pitch clock is the best, The top-20 NHL trade targets headed into the 2023 deadline, Sister Jean surprisingly picked a non-Chicago team to win the NCAA Mens National title, Max Scherzers innovative way to use the MLB pitch clock is horrible news for hitters, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Known for its abundant Channel Catfish, this is a great place to fill the cooler, or try your luck at a night-time Flathead during the summer months. 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 BIGGEST CATFISH In The World Trend Max 2.04M subscribers Subscribe 234K views 4 years ago Meet the largest catfish in the world. That places the flood level above the 2004 level, approaching the 2002 level. The blog quickly gained a following, thanks to Brent's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the sport. On May 21st, 2005 Tim Pruitt caught a 124-pound record breaking the previous 121.5 lb record caught in Texas. I hope this helps answer your questions. Either method can work, but one may produce more or better fish on some days than the other. You know what "they" say: Everything's bigger in Texas. In addition, to his 13.20 pounder, Jones caught a 10.5-pound largemouth bass on that Sunday as well. Crappie with a length of 13-15 inches and a weight of 1.5 to 2lb are generally considered trophy fish. The Native Range of Flathead Catfish In America. Jacob Land, 19, landed the 41-inch catfish while kayak fishing with Austin Scheider on April 7. 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. "Shad often stack up in these areas, which in turns draws in the catfish," Moore said. What is the largest catfish ever caught in the united states? A RIFF on what makes the great outdoorsgreat. . Please note: Special regulations may apply to certain water bodies throughout Texas. Another spot to consider during incoming tides is the river channel itself, which often extends into the bay. Later on that year, Splash was certified as the new world record blue catfish by the International Game Fish Association. 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. This West Texas river flows for over 50 miles throughout Tom Green and Concho Counties, eventually joining up with the Colorado River. The most recent record breaker is a white catfish that was caught by Ben Tomkunas in Connecticut. Lake Palestine hosts largemouth bass tournaments but also has excellent fishing for white bass, hybrid striped bass and catfish. During the colder months, focus on deeper areas inside the Nueces River channel. 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. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I said, Hes gone. I was mad., No, hes right here, Kodi told her husband. His previous personal record for a hand caught catfish was 74 pounds. IGFA. Kodi and Jimmy were both looking at me like Im an idiot. Veteran angler Michael Flaten set five limblines in the Sabine River one weekend and caught five catfish totaling 150 pounds in weight. Concho River This West Texas river flows for over 50 miles throughout Tom Green and Concho Counties, eventually joining up with the Colorado River. He didnt believe me when I said it was huge.. "I heard years ago that these areas where covered with dead shad and that the cats were thick around there. Catfish . The most reliable way to tell the difference is to look at the anal fin. If you are a fan of fishing, then these catfish. What Lake in Texas has the biggest catfish? Lifespan: 60 years. 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. They are true marvels of nature, and require loads of patience and reliable equipment to catch. Ask the local bait and tackle shops for the latest stink bait recipe and youre sure to get some bites. Whats the Biggest Bass Caught in Texas? Search World Records by Country: Use the search form above to find fishing world records for freshwater fish, saltwater fish, and more. Catfish are not line shy like Crappie or Smallmouth Bass, so dont be afraid to beef up your line test. As the 29.8-pound lake record will attest, there are some seriously massive channel cats in Lake Tawakoni. Just being there for the experience and getting to see a fish like that is all that matters., The anglers discovered a tattooed human forearm while gutting a shark they'd caught off the coast of Argentina. Who caught the biggest catfish in the world? We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Alabama tops the list of must-visit states for many big-cat aficionados. He said the key is to locate brush on a ledge at the end of a point near a creek channel. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The beast of a fish was wrangled by Levi Bennett. 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 . tournament-winner. 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. Sure, world-record bass get all of the glory, big brown trout get the glamour, and the biggest alligator gar grab the headlines. Just wore me out.. By morning, the chum has usually drawn in enough cats to justify fishing. Landon Evans shows off his 117-pound, 8-ounce blue. Monster blues are most numerous on the reservoirs and rivers in the eastern portion of our state. 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.. Experts say the fish, which belongs to the species known as the. 7 all-time in Texas. You just dont see fish like that very often. Noodler Levi Bennett nabs this emormous 106-pound flathead from an East Texas lake. The slip-float rig is used to catch those fish, which are suspended, and holding between feedings on the bottom.". Get a Head Lamp with White and Red Light. The world record holder for the biggest Lau-Lau ever caught went to dear old Jorge Masullo de Aguiar. He's been contacted bombarded by a media blitz ever since as news outlets from as far away as Maine pick up on the . What Lake in Texas has the biggest catfish? How was your experience? Length: 6.53 feet. The fish was certified at 143 pounds with a length of 57 inches and a girth of 47 inches. The lake offers no shortage of channel and flathead catfish either. Largest spot out of the 5 I caught this morning. What is considered a large flounder? 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 . Johnny D. Anderson caught the blue catfish, weighing 63.5 pounds and. Just wore me out.. The state of Texas has 10 species of freshwater Catfish, making it a great year-round location to target the beloved whisker fish. 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. The average length of a blue catfish is 20 to 45 inches and on average they weigh anywhere between 3 and 40 pounds. "The biggest fish weighed 51 pounds and the smallest 37. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. Conn was fishing on Lake OH Ivie on Monday Feb. 13, 2023 when the big fish bit. Second, limblining is a great way to catch big blues. Lake McQueeney is a hot spot for outdoor recreation, including fishing, boating, and swimming. 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. Rant with us. After looking over the weights, I've never wanted to catfish more. Use a medium-heavy casting rod and a floating rig with large live shiners or perch for bait. Anglers do this for two reasons. The record for the largest Goonch ever caught belongs to Jakub Vgner, the host of National Geographic's "Fish Warrior." Vgner's Goonch was 165 pounds 5 ounces (75 kilograms) and over 5 feet (1.57 meters) long. Burleigh said the cats will often suspend in 15 feet of water over humps in 30 feet of water and may suspend as deep as 35 feet in areas that are 50 feet deep. Lake Lewisville is a 29,592 acre impoundment on the Trinity River in Denton County. Conclusion. At a whopping 116 pounds, it stands as a testament to the world-class blue cats swimming in Texas' waters. colin creevey death scene deleted scene nuface cancer warning thyroid how to use parentheses on ba ii plus greyhound bus killer crime scene photos does jesse metcalfe have a kid maggie's car in the high note what tube lines are on strike tomorrow This remote 2,212 acre reservoir southwest of Wichita Falls is home to Channel, Blue, and Flathead Catfish. Species: Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) 18-Jan-2019 What's the biggest catfish caught in Texas? What is the biggest blue catfish ever caught? Keep an eye out for water levels in this area, as they can rise quickly. Even without a previous record, this is still a very impressive flathead catfish, the district explained. By going fishing, of course. Jennifer Robles said her husband, Rickey, and . Lake Gonzales was expected to be dewatered first, followed by Meadow Lake, Lake Placid and Lake McQueeney. 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. 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. 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. In fact, sometimes these smaller unknown water bodies receive significantly less fishing pressure and can yield big and plentiful catches. 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. Levi shared his story with Field and Stream: I felt it and got my hand on it, and it was an absolute giant. I dont know if theres anybody else out there whos caught a big fish like that noodling. She thrashed a couple of times, but once I got my hands on her it was about over.. Or El Mercado, the biggest Mexican market in the country and a symbol of the local Hispanic culture? 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. According to the Guinness Book of Records, a nine-foot-long individual caught in northern Thailand in 2005 weighted an astounding 646 pounds, making it the largest exclusively freshwater fish ever recorded. Get back in there.. (Rod & Line) And no, were not biased! Maybe the fairytale-like River Walk and gorgeous skyline? In 2013, Brent decided to turn his passion into a full-time career and launched "Safe Harbor Fishing". They are usually thicker and more dense than White Crappie. This fish unofficially weighed 106 pounds, which would have been big enough to be the new Texas state record had it been weighed on an official scale. The largest catfish ever caught on record measures just over 9 feet. Consider hiring a professional Texas catfishing guide to help you catch the fish of your dreams! Weight: 341 Pounds. What is the life expectancy of a crappie? 3) Flathead Catfish: 98.50 pounds. The bridges are also popular with boat anglers seeking crappie. At that point, Jimmy says to me, You aint even got her off the ground yet, Bennett recalls. All rights reserved. What is the biggest catfish in the United States? Its a lifestyle. Located about 40 miles east of Laredo Texas, this 83,654 acre reservoir provides some of the best Channel Catfish fishing in South Texas. Through late summer, catfish often feed in the shallow water during the early morning and at night when the water temperature is several degrees cooler. Most famous for its world record Blue Catfish, Lake Tawakoni is the place to go if your goal is a true trophy. The all-tackle world record Eurasian catfish was caught July 4, 1997 by angler Shoji Matsuura from Lake Biwa in Shiga, Japan. 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 21-pound 3-ounce fish smashed the previous state record of 12-pounds 7.5-ounces. Please check your email for a confirmation. From Texas to Tennessee, Appalachia to Bakersfield, Whiskey Riff is THE unapologetic voice of the country music fan. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. The crew initially thought the catfish escaped out of the pipe they found it in. In this article Im going to cover some of the top destinations for Catfish fishing in Texas, the best time of year to go, and what kind of bait and tackle youll need to be successful. Be sure to check the regulations for the specific lake or river you plan on fishing before trying them out, though. Most Catfish anglers focus on the upper portions of the impoundment. 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.. Experiment with different options the smellier the better for these. Pop the cork every 20 or 30 seconds and slowly reel it in about 20 feet and pop again. Colin Kearns 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. October 10, 2022 September 14, 2022 by Brent Pollock. He said many times the fish would hit the bait on the fall. Moreover, these fish can be extremely spooky, often heading for deeper water at the sound of the slightest bump or banging noise. 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. Flatheads and other catfish have no sense of hearing, but they actually "hear" better than most other fish. The state of Texas has 10 species of freshwater Catfish, making it a great year-round location to target the beloved whisker fish. Thats still small compared to the state record. | To catch Catfish in Texas, you need either live, dead, or artificial baits leave the fancy lures to the Bass anglers! They hit live baits almost exclusively, preferring perch, suckers and carp to nasty, stinky prepared baits. Splash is her name, and being the World-Record Blue Catfish is her fame. Location: Kerr Lake, Buggs Island, Virginia. document.write('