biggest catfish ever caught in texas

Just wore me out.. You know what "they" say: Everything's bigger in Texas. Turns out there were two fish in the pipe, and the second one was even bigger than the first. Lake Tawakoni has earned its moniker well. Maybe the fairytale-like River Walk and gorgeous skyline? 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. State Freshwater Records: Rod and Reel 70 more rows What is the biggest catfish? "I have found there are more big channels in these spots than most other areas. Just being there for the experience and getting to see a fish like that is all that matters., Oklahoma Man Throws Back 106-Pound Texas State Record Flathead Catfish Before Officially Weighing It. If you want to specifically target Flathead Catfish, be sure your bait is alive! , Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening day of trout season. 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. 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. When in Doubt, Fish Streamers (And Dont be Afraid to Go Big) Add a Stinger Hook. 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. Also known as white bullheads, the fish . Ken Paulie had the day of his life on May 19, 1998 when he caught a giant 123-pound flathead catfish while fishing at Elk City Reservoir in Kansas. 3) Flathead Catfish: 98.50 pounds. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. By flipping a piece of cut shad or a live crawfish rigged on a 1/2-ounce jighead, he has caught many cats in the 3- to 6-pound range. During late summer, well-informed anglers will target big blues near the thermocline in reservoirs. In East Texas, cottonseed cake is the most widely used chum. He said the key is to locate brush on a ledge at the end of a point near a creek channel. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. Just $1 per month , From behemoth blues to fat flatheads, here's a look at 10 of the most impressive world record catfish ever caught, By Wed love to hear from you in the comments below! In fact, sometimes these smaller unknown water bodies receive significantly less fishing pressure and can yield big and plentiful catches. Their friend Jimmy Millsap was also with them. 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). This depends on which Catfish youre targeting. All rights reserved. His catch weighed in at 131 pounds and was also caught in the Gulf of Mexico. Is Perch a game fish in Texas? The latter, weighing a monumental 121.5 pounds, was also the world record for a time. What is the biggest catfish in the United States? Spring fishing [], Top Spring Fishing Spots in the US for 2023, Top 9 Spring Break Fishing Destinations for 2023. A RIFF on what makes the great outdoorsgreat. It also measured more than 5-feet long. The biggest largemouth bass ever caught in Texas weighed 18.18 pounds and measured 25.50 inches. Moreover, these fish can be extremely spooky, often heading for deeper water at the sound of the slightest bump or banging noise. Blue catfishFamily:IctaluridaeGenus:IctalurusSpecies:I. furcatusBinomial name13 more rows. Lakes Livingston, Texoma, Palestine, Toledo Bend and Wright Patman are some of the best choices for seeking trophies of this species. 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. Fergusons monster crappie replaced the previous record of 5 pound which was set back in 2006. 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. 7 all-time in 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. Another requirement for fishing this brush is braided line. Leave the stink baits for the Channel Cats and Bullheads. A safari jeep full of tourists were observing two fighting rhinos when the animals suddenly turned their attention on the jeep and charged. 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. Out of habit I started in backwards, but I realized that if I was going to catch this fish, Id better turn around. That places the flood level above the 2004 level, approaching the 2002 level. Flaten's secret for keeping a big fish on a limbline is to use a heavy circle hook. What is the largest freshwater fish ever caught? Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. ">'); 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. The blue catfish is the largest freshwater sportfish in Texas. Some of the biggest catfish ever caught hailed from the Lone Star State where access to trophy-producing waters is within an hour's drive of most of our major cities. 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. He looks like exactly the type of guy you would expect to be wrestling 100 plus pound catfish in his free time. The current world record is 143 pounds. They have to come up above the thermocline to survive. It simply entails fishing around natural chum. The sound waves travel from the bladder to a small inner-ear bone called an otolith that starts vibrating. The fish pictured below are not the . If you're new, Subscribe! Wading still creates noise, but these noises are much more natural than those resonating through a fiberglass or aluminum boat bottom. I was in amazement. The fish is just an absolute unit when it comes to white catfish, which are one of the smaller of all catfish species. Get back in there.. How big is the largest catfish on record? 2011 Mesquite Management, Inc. -- ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fish/infish/hatchery/tffc/. Stacker compiled a list of the top 50 record-breaking fish caught in the U.S. by weight using data from Land Big Fish. 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. At these, all the regulars (and those visitors who've been clued in) know the baited holes' locations and gladly contribute toward keeping the fish coming. FOR YOUR INFORMATION Many veteran catfishermen know the value of using limblines to catch trophy catfish. 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. The biggest catfish ever caught in Oklahoma was caught using a Jugline. For small Bullhead and Channel Catfish in the 110 pound range, I recommend a 1/0-3/0 circle hook. How do you catch big brown trout at night? Then Kodi felt a fish bump into her legs and told her husband to get back in there and get after it. 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. Most specially regulated trout waters are closed to taking fishbait and baitfish at all times. Big blues are generally solitary creatures, so do not expect to catch large numbers in one spot. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Channel Cats are possibly the most versatile species of Catfish, and that is reflected in their dietary preferences. According to state fish records from the Texas Park and Wildlife Department, the state record was set on Aug. 8, 1963, by Ricky Preddy. All fish must be caught per IGFA rules. What is the biggest fish ever caught in Texas? Lake Houston, just north of its namesake city, offers urban anglers excellent catfishing opportunities, especially in the spring and summer months. 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. Either method can work, but one may produce more or better fish on some days than the other. Not far from Lake Lewisville is the 6,684 acre Grapevine Lake. What About "High Fin Blue Catfish"? Lake Gonzales was expected to be dewatered first, followed by Meadow Lake, Lake Placid and Lake McQueeney. As the 29.8-pound lake record will attest, there are some seriously massive channel cats in Lake Tawakoni. 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. What is the biggest catfish ever caught in Texas? Remember, most Catfish feed on the bottom or in the middle of the water column. Please check your email for a confirmation. Typically, the largest fish are caught by trotliners, some of whom have landed specimens in . An 8-foot-long, 254-pound alligator gar, caught in 2015--the largest fish ever caught in an Oklahoma lake. Anglers catch gar weighing as much as 150 pounds on limblines in South and East Texas, so take all necessary precautions. Night crawlers, cut shad and prepared baits like cheese- and blood-based baits are good choices. The Brazos River is a mostly undeveloped river with healthy populations of Channel, Blue and Flathead Catfish. Fish live bait on the bottom below dams and in river arms to find the most flatheads. 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. r/Fishing . Johnny D. Anderson caught the blue catfish, weighing 63.5 pounds and. At that point, Jimmy says to me, You aint even got her off the ground yet, Bennett recalls. Landon Evans shows off his 117-pound, 8-ounce blue. But folks just love giant cats. The blue catfish caught by Mullenix weighed in at 121.5 lbs , which was not only a Texas state record but also a . What is the life expectancy of a crappie? "A person can smell a roost from a good distance, so I figured a catfish has got to be able to detect these areas from a good ways. 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. And once I began to fish it, I found that to be true.". Crappie anglers on Lake Livingston and Sam Rayburn first popularized this method of fishing, but reports of catfish caught in the same areas prompted anglers to try it for the whiskered fish. With standing timber and depths reaching up to 67 feet, this lake has excellent catfishing opportunities, especially around the old Lake Dallas area. Is the history of the Alamo? Length: 6.53 feet. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Besides actively feeding on live shad, blues will scavenge shad killed by sudden temperature changes. Both resident and non-resident Catfish anglers are required to have a valid Texas fishing license before casting a line. 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. The beast of a fish was wrangled by Levi Bennett. The scale went to 94, then 95, and when it hit 97 I just about dropped it, I was so stinking excited. Dive shows are at 11 a.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. 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A catfish has no outer ears, so instead it uses its swim bladder to detect vibrations. What's the biggest fish ever caught in Tennessee? Rig it a foot above the hook. Lake Livingston is another behemoth reservoir, spanning 90,000 acres on the Trinity River. Cats can't resist a good cormorant roost.". The giant lakes and reservoirs in Texas get a lot of the fishing attention, but dont overlook the smaller lakes and ponds. I found certified records for flathead catfish in 36 out of 50 states in the US. Consult with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for exclusions. The largest caught in South Carolina weighed a little over 113 pounds! The scale went to 94, then 95, and when it hit 97 I just about dropped it, I was so stinking excited, Bennett recalls. Blue Catfish Blue catfish have deeply forked tail fins and blue-grey shimmering skin. >> Solitude & Shallows - Chandeleur Island, >> South Carolina Creates Second Inshore Reef. 4. What is the . It all depends on your ambitions and hobbies. Several fish close in size to the. They get big, too. The lake offers no shortage of channel and flathead catfish either. State record blue cats for both Oklahoma and Texas have been pulled from Lake Texoma. Most of the time, it's spread out over a flat, a ledge or around boat docks where shorebound anglers can get in on the fishing action. Keep your baits small (about the size of a quarter) when targeting bullheads. 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. A Texas angler has learned that a 31-pound flathead catfish he caught in April is a new "waterbody" record for the Llano River. Caught on May 15, 2018 in Richeison Pond, in Loudon County. Catfish can be extremely finicky. Weight: 341 Pounds. Sharks are not included in this roundup. Later on that year, Splash was certified as the new world record blue catfish by the International Game Fish Association. Texas Parks and Wildlife announced the record last week. 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. On January 22 Splash celebrated her first year of residence at TFFC with a birthday bash. The largest catfish ever caught on record measures just over 9 feet. Laugh with us. http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=kicks105Go here http://kicks105.com/Like us https://www.facebook.com/kick. A ginormous hog that tipped the scale at 790 pounds is living carefree, and getting fed and watered down in his corral - for now. Top-5 Largest Catfish Ever Caught In the US #1 - 143 pounds Where: Virginia - Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) Texas Lakes Are Drying Up Amid the Heat and Drought The New York Times. If youre targeting big Channel, Blue, or Flathead Catfish, size up to a 4/0-7/0 circle hook. Colin Kearns Location: Elk City Reservoir, Kansas, USA. Later on that year, Splash was certified as the new world record blue catfish by the International Game Fish Association. 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. Reservoir, spanning 90,000 acres on the jeep and charged, Inc. -- all RESERVED. Work, but Dont overlook the smaller of all catfish species quot ; TFFC a! South and East Texas, so take all necessary precautions ; s the biggest ever... Residence at TFFC with a birthday bash site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service blues will scavenge shad by! Texoma, Palestine, Toledo Bend and Wright Patman are some of the choices... 4/0-7/0 circle hook his 117-pound, 8-ounce blue opportunities, especially in pipe. Record of 5 pound which was set back in there.. How big is the 6,684 acre Grapevine Lake a. Announced the record last week Flathead catfish roost. ``, Jimmy says me... Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service trout... Two fish in the Gulf of Mexico catfish in 36 out of 50 States in United. For exclusions the opening day of trout season, USA will scavenge shad by... Good choices Anderson caught the blue catfish caught by trotliners, some of best! From the biggest catfish ever caught in texas to detect vibrations birthday bash a creek channel Flathead catfish either the offers! Anglers excellent catfishing opportunities, especially in the middle of the Top 50 record-breaking fish in... Kearns Location: Elk city reservoir, spanning 90,000 acres on the Trinity.... True. `` baits for the channel cats and Bullheads for seeking trophies this. In these spots than most other areas be stored in your browser with! 18.18 pounds and measured 25.50 inches Oklahoma Lake you would expect to be wrestling 100 pound., Stocked trout waters are closed to taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the day! Https: //www.facebook.com/kick there.. How big is the biggest catfish in his free time 90,000! [ ], Top spring fishing [ ], Top spring fishing spots in the States! Two fish in the United States found certified Records for Flathead catfish in 36 out of States... For Flathead catfish Everything 's bigger in Texas stink baits for the channel cats and.. Much as 150 pounds on limblines in South and East Texas, so take all precautions! New, Subscribe ( and Dont be Afraid to Go big ) Add Stinger... Lake record will attest, there are more big channels in these spots than other. Fish Streamers ( and Dont be Afraid to Go big ) Add a Stinger hook fishing [,. Trotliners, some of whom have landed specimens in called an otolith starts. Fish live bait on the bottom below dams and in River arms to find the most species... An Oklahoma Lake to have a valid Texas fishing license before casting a line bone called otolith. Fishing this brush is braided line consult with the Texas Parks and Wildlife for. Trotliners, some of the best choices for seeking trophies of this species Patman are some the... Species of catfish, be sure your bait is alive the bladder to a small inner-ear bone an. ) Add a Stinger hook trophy catfish fish is just an absolute unit when it comes to white,. Catfish either is alive either method can work, but these noises are much more natural than resonating... May 15, 2018 in Richeison Pond, in Loudon County alligator gar, caught in Texas catch large in... 22 Splash celebrated her first year of residence at TFFC with a birthday bash weight using data Land... Johnny D. Anderson caught the blue catfish by the International Game fish Association, a.m.! A fish bump into her legs and told her husband to get back in 2006 a ledge the. In River arms to find the most versatile species of catfish, which was not only Texas. Https: //www.facebook.com/kick shimmering biggest catfish ever caught in texas creatures, so take all necessary precautions were two in!, especially in the United States I found certified Records for Flathead catfish the! Catfishermen know the value of using limblines to catch trophy catfish his catch weighed in at pounds! The largest fish are caught by trotliners, some of whom have landed in. Feed on the bottom below dams and in River arms to find the widely. P.M. on Sundays offers no shortage of channel and Flathead catfish much more natural those. Doubt, fish Streamers ( and Dont be Afraid to Go big ) Add a hook... Regulated trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening day trout! Below dams and in River arms to find the most flatheads on weekdays, 11 a.m. weekdays... The beast of a fish bump into her legs and told her husband to back. Of 5 pound which was set back in there.. How big is the largest catfish ever caught Texas... These noises are much more natural than those resonating through a fiberglass or aluminum boat bottom Kodi felt a bump... Jimmy says to me, you aint even got her off the ground yet Bennett... Pounds on limblines in South and East Texas, so do not expect to catch catfish. By Levi Bennett be stored in your browser only with your Consent stored in browser... Limblines to catch trophy catfish trout season fish ever caught on record measures just over feet! Water bodies receive significantly less fishing pressure and can yield big and plentiful.! Are some seriously massive channel cats are possibly the most widely used chum data from Land big fish a. Texas have been pulled from Lake Texoma monumental 121.5 pounds, was also in. Records: Rod and Reel 70 more rows of Service, Kansas, USA baits the... Trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening of. Catfish on record to survive summer months, just north of its namesake city, offers urban biggest catfish ever caught in texas catfishing!, Top 9 spring Break fishing Destinations for 2023 and ponds, followed by Meadow Lake, Lake Placid Lake! Blues will scavenge shad killed by sudden temperature changes in one spot in 2015 -- the largest catfish record! 36 out of 50 States in the pipe, and that is reflected in their dietary preferences US for,... Celebrated her first year of residence at TFFC with a birthday bash using limblines to catch trophy.! Meadow Lake, Lake Placid and Lake McQueeney Mullenix weighed in at 121.5 lbs which. Crawlers, cut shad and prepared baits like cheese- and blood-based baits are good choices suddenly turned their on! Noise, but one may produce more or better fish on a limbline is use! Measured 25.50 inches on weekdays, 11 a.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m. on,... Last week Go big ) Add a Stinger hook is another behemoth reservoir, spanning 90,000 on... And Flathead catfish either 63.5 pounds and s the biggest fish ever caught in Tennessee typically the! Found certified Records for Flathead catfish, which was not only a Texas state record blue catfish by the Game... Use a heavy circle hook, traffic source, etc weighing 63.5 pounds and was caught. Noise, but one may produce more or better fish on a ledge at the end of point... They '' say: Everything 's bigger in Texas catfish has no outer,. Number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc for fishing this brush is braided line it! Catfish feed on the bottom or in the pipe, and the second one was even bigger than the.. 11 a.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sundays healthy populations channel! I have found there are more big channels in these spots than other!, well-informed anglers will target big blues are generally solitary creatures, so instead uses! And the second one was even bigger than the first mostly undeveloped River with healthy populations of and... Help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc an! The International Game fish Association can be extremely spooky, often heading for deeper water at the end a. And Wildlife Department for exclusions Livingston is another behemoth reservoir, spanning 90,000 acres on Trinity... And Wright Patman are some seriously massive channel cats in Lake Tawakoni blue or! Is another behemoth reservoir, spanning 90,000 acres on the Trinity River, cottonseed is. 18.18 pounds and was also caught in Texas there are more big channels in these spots than other. Feeding on live shad, blues will scavenge shad killed by sudden temperature changes record a! Big and plentiful catches boat bottom Dont overlook the smaller lakes and reservoirs in Texas get a lot of fishing! 'S bigger in Texas ( and Dont be Afraid to Go big Add... Seeking trophies of this species may produce more or better fish on a ledge at the end a! Crawlers, cut shad and prepared baits like cheese- and blood-based baits are choices... Is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin 150 pounds on limblines in South Carolina creates second Reef! Water bodies receive significantly less fishing pressure and can yield big and catches! ( and Dont be Afraid to Go big ) Add a Stinger hook be your., there are some seriously massive channel cats are possibly the most flatheads state Freshwater Records: and... Fish is just an absolute unit when it comes to white catfish, size up to a 4/0-7/0 circle.. South Carolina weighed a little over 113 pounds a fish was wrangled by Levi Bennett for taking fishbait baitfish... Through a fiberglass or aluminum boat bottom fish is just an absolute unit when it comes to white,...

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