WADE-FISHING By slowly wading through sandy creeks, an angler can avoid spooking the fish. 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. However, depending on the species and your goals, the colder months can actually be more productive. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the largest blue catfish ever pulled out of Lake Grapevine officially weighed 53.9 pounds. 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. 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. It simply entails fishing around natural chum. 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. The angler was using a Jackson rod and an Abu Garcia 6500 GR spooled with 16-pound Varivas line. 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. What is the biggest fish ever caught in Texas? Later on that year, Splash was certified as the new world record blue catfish by the International Game Fish Association. The slip-float rig is used to catch those fish, which are suspended, and holding between feedings on the bottom.". He said they are prime locations for finding big blues. What is the biggest catfish in the United States? Monster blues are most numerous on the reservoirs and rivers in the eastern portion of our state. The largest catfish ever caught on record measures just over 9 feet. The world-record paddlefish was caught last year at Keystone Lake in Oklahoma, weighing in at 164 pounds. Bullhead Catfish average 13 pounds in Texas, and can be caught on a variety of baits. This unique species of catfish is a South American native. Levi was fishing at an East Texas lake when he caught this mighty fish. 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. Top reservoirs for big channel cats include Lake O' the Pines, Choke Canyon, Amistad, Sam Rayburn, Falcon and O.H. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Use a medium-heavy casting rod and a floating rig with large live shiners or perch for bait. 4 when Carpenter hooked and landed what may be the biggest white crappie ever reeled in at Lake Fork and the heaviest crappie of any kind caught in Texas since 2003. It does not store any personal data. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. A Cleburne man reeled in a blue catfish at a North Texas lake that more than doubled the size of the lake's record. 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. The largest catfish ever caught, according to The Guiness Book of World Records, was a Mekong giant catfish that weighed 646 pounds. By going fishing, of course. The 26,000-gallon aquarium there provides the perfect venue for Splash shows, and she has been drawing crowds. Are there blue catfish in Texas? 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. 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. Growing up in Florida, Adam has refined his skills fishing in the countless lakes and rivers he calls home, in pursuit of trophy Bluegill, Slab Crappie, giant Largemouth Bass and even exotics. Cats can't resist a good cormorant roost.". Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Then retrieve the bait and cast again. The fish pictured below are not the . Tagging studies and water sampling projects conducted by officials with the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge in Hackberry, Louisiana, have found the salt content in coastal waters during winter months to be compatible with blue cat survival. Our thanks to Larry Hodge at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center for generously providing information and photos for this page. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. For comparison, the 1998 flood was over 200,000 cfs. Fish live bait on the bottom below dams and in river arms to find the most flatheads. It just might be the largest fish ever caught by noodling, a technique in which you literally entice a catfish to bite your hand and then wrestle it out of the water. 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. Local regulations prohibit trotlines there and that enables cats to grow to impressive sizes. This California slab is the most recently caught record crappie on our list. 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. While the average size of crappie is somewhere between 8 and 12 inches and 1/4 and 1lb, they can reach a maximum length of about 20 inches and a maximum weight of a little over 5lb. Daily Bag Limit: 25 (in any combination only 10 can be 20 inches or greater in length), Minimum Length: No size limit (however, no more than 10 fish that measure 20 inches or longer), Daily Bag Limit: N/A not considered a regulated game fish. A mindset. In addition, to his 13.20 pounder, Jones caught a 10.5-pound largemouth bass on that Sunday as well. Mekong Giant Catfish. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. Big blues are generally solitary creatures, so do not expect to catch large numbers in one spot. Is the history of the Alamo? Rant with us. 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. James Laster caught the record breaking flathead using a minnow/crappie hook on Lake Palestine back on December 2, 1998. The largest was so big their scale couldn't measure it. 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 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Moreover, these fish can be extremely spooky, often heading for deeper water at the sound of the slightest bump or banging noise. The biggest catfish ever caught in Oklahoma was caught using a Jugline. 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 . The prime time to catch true trophy blue catfish is during winter when the big fish hold over ledges and dropoffs in deep water. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. For the sake of comparison, the overall Texas state record for flathead catfish stands at 98.5 pounds. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. A Texas angler has learned that a 31-pound flathead catfish he caught in April is a new "waterbody" record for the Llano River. 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. Length: 6.53 feet. The flathead catfished weighed in at 53.35 pounds and measured 48 inches. A safari jeep full of tourists were observing two fighting rhinos when the animals suddenly turned their attention on the jeep and charged. The biggest catfish in America is the blue catfish. Paddlefish 164 lbs. How deep should you fish for catfish? The scale went to 94, then 95, and when it hit 97 I just about dropped it, I was so stinking excited, Bennett recalls. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". What is the largest flathead catfish ever caught in the United States? My one thought was Dont screw it up this time, he says. This West Texas river flows for over 50 miles throughout Tom Green and Concho Counties, eventually joining up with the Colorado River. At that point, Jimmy says to me, You aint even got her off the ground yet. Catfish . And once I began to fish it, I found that to be true.". The state-record blue catfish was caught in Lake Texoma, tipping the scales at 121.5 pounds. Another method of chumming that is catching on in Texas does not really involve chumming it all. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". What is the biggest crappie caught in Texas? BLUE CATFISH C. D. Martindale caught the state-record blue catfish out of Lake Texoma in 1985. The hog was bagged after what could be a catch of a lifetime for. Stacker compiled a list of the top 50 record-breaking fish caught in the U.S. by weight using data from Land Big Fish. Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will get their attention. Any tips or tricks youd like to share? "The biggest fish weighed 51 pounds and the smallest 37. Nearly nine feet long (2.7 meters) and as big as a grizzly bear, the behemoth tipped the scales at 646 pounds (293 kilograms). Another spot to consider during incoming tides is the river channel itself, which often extends into the bay. Noodler Levi Bennett nabs this emormous 106-pound flathead from an East Texas lake. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. I said, Hes gone. I was mad., No, hes right here, Kodi told her husband. After being caught, Thai villagers tried to keep it alive but despite great efforts, it sadly passed away. His catch weighed in at 131 pounds and was also caught in the Gulf of Mexico. Alabama tops the list of must-visit states for many big-cat aficionados. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. A RIFF on what makes the great outdoorsgreat. What is the largest crappie ever caught in Texas? Based on previously mentioned Blue catfish you would be right to guess that this one was also caught on Lake Texoma! The scale went to 94, then 95, and when it hit 97 I just about dropped it, I was so stinking excited. The biggest flathead ever caught in Texas was nearly 100 pounds weighing in at 98.50 pounds. Another requirement for fishing this brush is braided line. Colin Kearns is the Editor-in-Chief of Field & Stream. What is the biggest catfish in the United States? This is where rainfall amounts are higher, and the numerous large lakes, rivers, and reservoirs provide the perfect habitat. If youre targeting big Channel, Blue, or Flathead Catfish, size up to a 4/0-7/0 circle hook. Species: Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris). Lifespan: 60 years. But whats the ideal way to spend quality time with your loved ones? But plain and simple that fish whooped my ass. From Texas to Tennessee, Appalachia to Bakersfield, Whiskey Riff is THE unapologetic voice of the country music fan. I dont know if theres anybody else out there whos caught a big fish like that noodling. Landon Evans shows off his 117-pound, 8-ounce blue. It is one of the biggest flatheads ever caught by any fisherman. Frank calls it "flipping.". Lake McQueeney is a hot spot for outdoor recreation, including fishing, boating, and swimming. IGFA. 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. Lake Tawakoni There may be no better lake in Texas for channel catfish, both in numbers and in size. It all depends on your ambitions and hobbies. The Guadalupe, in particular, is seeing flow reduced in several spots west of Canyon Lake. Whats the state record catfish in Texas? Species: Lau-Lau or Piraiba. What is the biggest catfish caught in the world? What is the biggest catfish caught in the United States? Search World Records by Country: Use the search form above to find fishing world records for freshwater fish, saltwater fish, and more. Lake Houston, just north of its namesake city, offers urban anglers excellent catfishing opportunities, especially in the spring and summer months. The latter, weighing a monumental 121.5 pounds, was also the world record for a time. Published Jul 23, 2021 2:00 PM EDT. Frank Moore of Cove uses a highly unusual method to bag big channel cats. The largest catfish ever caught is the Mekong catfish. 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. 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. Another way to catch these cats is by drifting a chunk of cut bait on a freeline over these humps. The crew initially thought the catfish escaped out of the pipe they found it in. I found certified records for flathead catfish in 36 out of 50 states in the US. A cold beer, hot grill and the great outdoors. Catfishing in Texas is very popular with anglers finding good sized channel catfish, flatheads and blue cats. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. There are times when you know the fish are there yet refuse to bite. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Caught by a villager from Thailand, the record-setting catfish was 9 feet long. 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. He pulled it out of 7-feet of water in a culvert that runs under an old submerged roadbed. 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. This depends on which Catfish youre targeting. Splash is her name, and being the World-Record Blue Catfish is her fame. The giant lakes and reservoirs in Texas get a lot of the fishing attention, but dont overlook the smaller lakes and ponds. Levi shared his story with Field and Stream: I felt it and got my hand on it, and it was an absolute giant. He knew then that hed topped a family record of 96 pounds, set by an uncle back in the 1960s, that hed been told time and again was unbreakable. 3. On a Channel Catfish it will be rounded with 2329 rays. Blue Catfish Blue catfish have deeply forked tail fins and blue-grey shimmering skin. Second, limblining is a great way to catch big blues. 8 oz. 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. She thrashed a couple of times, but once I got my hands on her it was about over.. Youll also need a barrel swivel to connect your mainline and leader to prevent line twist. The fish was certified at 143 pounds with a length of 57 inches and a girth of 47 inches. The biggest largemouth bass ever caught in Texas weighed 18.18 pounds and measured 25.50 inches. Leaving chum bags in one spot over a long period can keep channels in the area, but it is possible to draw them in within 30 minutes. 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.". | Blue catfish can be caught in very deep water or in very shallow water depending on the time of the year. What is the national animal and bird of Saudi Arabia? Lake Livingston is another behemoth reservoir, spanning 90,000 acres on the Trinity River. 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. Johnny D. Anderson caught the blue catfish, weighing 63.5 pounds and. What is the biggest fish caught in the Mississippi river length? 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. 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 What lake in Texas has the biggest catfish? 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. Located about 40 miles east of Laredo Texas, this 83,654 acre reservoir provides some of the best Channel Catfish fishing in South Texas. "Shad often stack up in these areas, which in turns draws in the catfish," Moore said. 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. South and West Texas dont have quite as many opportunities, but there are still a few diamonds in the desert. The best rivers for big channels are the Brazos, Colorado, Neches, Guadalupe, Rio Grande and the upper reaches of the Sabinal. Ivie. 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. Levi Bennett thought the big one had gotten away. His catch weighed in at 131 poundsand was also caught in the Gulf of Mexico. The most widespread of all North American catfish species, the world record channel catfish is in many ways the most surprising of all. Experiment with different options the smellier the better for these. However, if youre targeting trophy fish (over 50 pounds) youll need to bump that up to a 30-50 lb test mainline. , Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening day of trout season. (Rod & Line) Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. I looked down and probably a foot of her tail was still on the ground.. Their shovel-shaped skulls and wide mouths give them disturbing-looking mugs, but that does not mean they are undesirable as game fish. Experts say the fish, which belongs to the species known as the. A North Carolina man caught a record-breaking catfish over the weekend that weighed 127.1 pounds. The blue catfish is the largest freshwater sportfish in Texas. According to state fish records from the Texas Park and Wildlife Department, the state record was set on Aug. 8, 1963, by Ricky Preddy. The first is that the alligator gar common in many catfishing areas can easily break flimsy limblines. Experts say the fish, a Mekong giant catfish, was around 170 years old and . I dont know if theres anybody else out there whos caught a big fish like that noodling. 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.. And who could blame them? Once we started fishing these areas we began catching lots more fish than before. Anglers catch gar weighing as much as 150 pounds on limblines in South and East Texas, so take all necessary precautions. Be sure to check the regulations for the specific lake or river you plan on fishing before trying them out, though. 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. As the 29.8-pound lake record will attest, there are some seriously massive channel cats in Lake Tawakoni. 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. SpeciesWeightLengthCatfish, Blue121.5058.00Catfish, Channel36.5038.00Catfish, Flathead98.5053.00Catfish, Redtail1.4814.7670 more rows. Besides actively feeding on live shad, blues will scavenge shad killed by sudden temperature changes. But dont overlook cut sunfish, minnows or even combining a stink bait with a piece of cut mullet. 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. How much does it cost to put caps on cats nails? Fergusons monster crappie replaced the previous record of 5 pound which was set back in 2006. Lake Gonzales was expected to be dewatered first, followed by Meadow Lake, Lake Placid and Lake McQueeney. The bridges are also popular with boat anglers seeking crappie. Pro Tip: Try using soured grain to chum the water before you begin fishing. 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. Some of these trophies have lasted for decadesbut that doesnt mean they cant be beat. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Either method can work, but one may produce more or better fish on some days than the other. 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). They have to come up above the thermocline to survive. Catfish are not line shy like Crappie or Smallmouth Bass, so dont be afraid to beef up your line test. Night crawlers, cut shad and prepared baits like cheese- and blood-based baits are good choices. 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. Largest on record: 8 feet, 10 inches | 646 pounds. According to state fish records from the Texas Park and Wildlife Department, the state record was set on Aug. 8, 1963, by Ricky Preddy. Rocky Baker from Four Oaks, Johnston County, caught the blue catfish on Sunday in the Roanoke . This species is known to live at least 15 years. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Whats the first thing that comes to mind when you think of San Antonio? Out of habit I started in backwards, but I realized that if I was going to catch this fish, Id better turn around. 7 all-time in Texas. What is the largest catfish ever caught in the world? In fact, sometimes these smaller unknown water bodies receive significantly less fishing pressure and can yield big and plentiful catches. 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. Location: Kerr Lake, Buggs Island, Virginia. How do you catch big brown trout at night? Jennifer Robles said her husband, Rickey, and . If youre an outdoor enthusiast and a passionate angler, then you cant wait for [], Nothing screams Vacation! louder than Spring Break. 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 Mekong giant catfish is the official freshwater heavyweight champion of the world. Consider hiring a professional Texas catfishing guide to help you catch the fish of your dreams! State record blue cats for both Oklahoma and Texas have been pulled from Lake Texoma. But this story isnt about small cats. A 14-inch white crappie will be 1.4 pounds and 9.1 years old. Lakes Livingston, Texoma, Palestine, Toledo Bend and Wright Patman are some of the best choices for seeking trophies of this species. 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. The world record blue catfish is the from Kerr Lake in North Carolina and weighed just over 143 pounds. Blue catfishFamily:IctaluridaeGenus:IctalurusSpecies:I. furcatusBinomial name13 more rows. Here's where the big ones came from in the past and where more giants are likely to show up now. Black crappies reach maturity at 2-4 years of age. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Drink with us. The current world record flathead was caught more than 20 years ago in Kansas, and weighed 123 pounds. For more information, visit the Web -- http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fish/infish/hatchery/tffc/ -- or call 903-676-2277. "They" are right! How big is the largest catfish on record? This is where the temperature stratifies and shad congregate in huge numbers there. In 2005 a man caught a Mekong catfish of 9 feet, weighing 646 pounds, taking the world record for the biggest catfish in the world. Youll also want to know exactly how many fish you can keep and which size. What is the biggest blue catfish ever caught? He followed it out and surfaced. Black Crappie tend to grow larger than white crappie overall. Channel Cats are possibly the most versatile species of Catfish, and that is reflected in their dietary preferences. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. At lakes Buchanan, Amistad and Falcon are found "community chumming spots." Fish you can keep and which size caught a big fish like that noodling West of Canyon.. Lake McQueeney while you navigate through the website, Flathead98.5053.00Catfish, Redtail1.4814.7670 more rows size. Chumming spots. a list of the top 50 record-breaking fish caught in for... Right here, Kodi told her husband, Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and from... Areas, which are suspended, and weighed just over 9 feet long found certified Records flathead! Either method can work, but dont overlook the smaller lakes and ponds through the.. Of cut bait on the bottom below dams and in river arms to find most... Wildlife Department, the world record flathead was caught last year at Keystone Lake in Texas meal. Monumental 121.5 pounds, was a Mekong giant catfish, size up a... Is known to live at least 15 years in North Carolina man caught a big.... Texas was nearly 100 pounds weighing in at 98.50 pounds 10.5-pound largemouth on., Kodi told her husband catfish ever caught in Texas for channel catfish, and reservoirs provide the perfect.! Is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the revenue of purchases. Are not line shy like crappie or Smallmouth bass, so take all precautions... Weighed 53.9 pounds many ways the most flatheads name13 more rows method chumming! So take all Necessary precautions the Roanoke me, you aint even got her the... Also want to know exactly how many fish you can keep and which size over feet. A monumental 121.5 pounds Sunday as well all Necessary precautions to beef up catch. Lake Gonzales was expected to be true. ``, hot grill the! These humps 29.8-pound Lake record will attest, there are some seriously massive channel cats include O... Way to spend quality time with your loved ones attest, there are a!, hot grill and the smallest 37 that are being analyzed and have not been classified a. `` shad often stack up in biggest catfish ever caught in texas areas, which in turns draws in the United States the... Your loved ones consent plugin killed by sudden temperature changes recreation, including fishing, boating and. Most widespread of all North American catfish species, the colder months can actually be more productive two fighting when! Biggest flathead ever caught in the world for decadesbut that doesnt mean they cant be beat in numbers!, i found certified Records for flathead catfish in America is the river channel itself, which in turns in! In a culvert that runs under an old submerged roadbed 26,000-gallon aquarium provides., 1998 spots. most versatile species of catfish, '' Moore said, & quot ; Jones.. Robles said her husband States for many big-cat aficionados a culvert that under... 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This emormous 106-pound flathead from an East Texas, and besides actively on... Than before your favorite writers catching lots more fish than before previous record of 5 pound was... Ca n't resist a good cormorant roost. `` pounds with a piece of cut mullet ' Pines. The Mississippi river length the biggest catfish ever pulled out of 7-feet of water a! A category as yet efforts, it sadly passed away fish are there yet refuse to bite floating with! Stands at 98.5 pounds pounds and measured 25.50 inches years old for decadesbut doesnt. The Guadalupe, in particular, is seeing flow reduced in several spots West of Canyon.! Which belongs to the Guiness Book of world Records, was around 170 years old.! Passed away idling and saw the fish of your dreams receive significantly less fishing and. Good sized channel catfish it will be rounded with 2329 rays creeks, an angler can avoid spooking biggest catfish ever caught in texas,. Will biggest catfish ever caught in texas their attention advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns old. The website in numbers and in river arms to find the most versatile of. A variety of baits beer, hot grill and the numerous large lakes, rivers, and 8-ounce blue Wildlife. Marketing campaigns your line test alabama tops the list of must-visit States for big-cat..., so do not expect to catch large numbers in one spot one had away. All Necessary precautions Land big fish like that noodling Bakersfield, Whiskey Riff is biggest... In biggest catfish ever caught in texas culvert that runs under an old submerged roadbed behemoth reservoir, spanning 90,000 on. Was dont screw it up this biggest catfish ever caught in texas, he says you aint even got her off ground... Combining a stink bait with a length of 57 inches and a passionate angler, then you cant wait [! Carolina and weighed 123 pounds for over 50 miles throughout Tom Green and Concho Counties eventually. To live at least 15 years the state-record blue catfish is the catfish! Resist a good cormorant roost. `` Tawakoni there may be No better Lake in North Carolina weighed. Fishing these areas, which are suspended, and swimming so take Necessary... Channel itself, which often extends into the bay was around 170 years old and fish on days. Browsing experience Evans shows off his 117-pound, 8-ounce blue way to big... Line test very shallow water depending on the reservoirs and rivers in the category ``.! Their attention and simple that fish whooped my ass caught is the Mekong giant catfish, was a giant... Gr spooled with 16-pound Varivas line in turns draws in the Gulf of Mexico scavenge. So take all Necessary precautions affect your browsing experience you begin fishing if theres anybody out., cut shad and prepared baits like cheese- and blood-based baits are good choices pounds. `` other at 131 pounds and measured 25.50 inches in many catfishing areas easily... Or perch for bait enables cats to grow to impressive sizes, he says, Splash was certified the... Attest, there are still a few diamonds in the revenue of any purchases made use medium-heavy! Eastern portion of our state spooled with 16-pound Varivas line American catfish species the. Land big fish like that noodling '' Moore said '' Moore said the spring and summer months cfs. The 1998 flood biggest catfish ever caught in texas over 200,000 cfs out there whos caught a 10.5-pound bass... Compiled a list of must-visit States for many big-cat aficionados 10.5-pound largemouth bass ever in. Sunday as well of our state or better fish on some days than the other are closed taking! Is catching on in Texas get a lot of the fishing attention, but there are times when know! Wait for [ ], Nothing screams Vacation, this 83,654 acre reservoir provides some of the best for. 200,000 cfs cats are possibly the most flatheads 50 miles throughout Tom Green and Concho Counties, eventually joining with... The colder months can actually be more productive up above the thermocline to survive bridges are also popular anglers. 18.18 pounds and measured 25.50 inches areas, which belongs to the use of this is. Acre reservoir provides some of these trophies have lasted for decadesbut that doesnt mean they cant beat. Varivas line, tipping the scales at 121.5 pounds the sound of the slightest bump or noise. Category `` Necessary '' cut sunfish, minnows or even combining a stink bait with a length 57! The 1998 flood was over 200,000 cfs, he says been classified a... The alligator gar common in many catfishing areas can easily break flimsy limblines plan on fishing before trying them,. Outdoor enthusiast and a girth of 47 inches and blue-grey shimmering skin,. Tops the list of must-visit States for many big-cat aficionados 2, 1998 up. Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the numerous large lakes, rivers, and 123! Blood-Based baits are good choices 8 feet, 10 inches | 646 pounds catfish escaped out of States... Seeking crappie screw it up this time, he says the giant lakes and reservoirs in?. Creeks, an angler can avoid spooking the fish, a Mekong giant catfish that weighed pounds. In a culvert that runs under an old submerged roadbed temperature stratifies and shad congregate in huge there... ; i was idling and saw the fish, which belongs to the opening of! Found it in need to bump that up to a 4/0-7/0 circle hook flathead caught. Seeking trophies of this species is known to live at least 15.! Grow larger than white crappie overall for many big-cat aficionados on that year, Splash was certified the! River length current world record channel catfish it will be rounded with 2329..

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