Record Flathead Catfish Weight: 123 lbs (55.79 kg) Length: 5.08 ft (1.55 m) Location: Elk City Reservoir, Kansas, USA. They are usually thicker and more dense than White Crappie. Plus with that catfish mafia hat hes wearing, he really looks the part. Caught on May 15, 2018 in Richeison Pond, in Loudon County. But what about the biggest catfish Mauck: In Lake Texoma, we've had a blue catfish that was 118 pounds that was caught in the lake. 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. 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. Lake McQueeney is a hot spot for outdoor recreation, including fishing, boating, and swimming. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Keep your baits small (about the size of a quarter) when targeting bullheads. They hit live baits almost exclusively, preferring perch, suckers and carp to nasty, stinky prepared baits. The state of Texas has 10 species of freshwater Catfish, making it a great year-round location to target the beloved whisker fish. Ken Paulie with the world-record flathead caught in 1998. The prime time to catch true trophy blue catfish is during winter when the big fish hold over ledges and dropoffs in deep water. He pulled it out of 7-feet of water in a culvert that runs under an old submerged roadbed. During late summer, well-informed anglers will target big blues near the thermocline in reservoirs. Splash has adjusted nicely to stardom and her new surroundings. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Use a medium-heavy casting rod and a floating rig with large live shiners or perch for bait. Youll also need a barrel swivel to connect your mainline and leader to prevent line twist. 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. Artificial baits like cheese balls, stink baits, and blood baits work well, as do freshwater shrimp, nightcrawlers, and the always reliable chicken gizzards. But dont overlook cut sunfish, minnows or even combining a stink bait with a piece of cut mullet. 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 blog quickly gained a following, thanks to Brent's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the sport. Flathead Catfish: 123 Pounds. Splash came to live at TFFC on January 14, 2004, after being caught from Lake Texoma by Cody Mullennix of Howe, Texas. Many anglers simply throw a coffee can's worth of chum overboard and begin fishing. Not far from Lake Lewisville is the 6,684 acre Grapevine Lake. But fishs stomachs are , Use large-sized baits such as dead bluegill, live chubs, water dogs, crayfish and frogs when seeking larger catfish. It is one of the biggest flatheads ever caught by any fisherman. 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. According to state fish records from the Texas Park and Wildlife Department, the state record was set on Aug. 8, 1963, by Ricky Preddy. Most famous for its world record Blue Catfish, Lake Tawakoni is the place to go if your goal is a true trophy. My one thought was Dont screw it up this time, he says. The Mekong giant catfish is the official freshwater heavyweight champion of the world. I looked down and probably a foot of her tail was still on the ground.. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. That places the flood level above the 2004 level, approaching the 2002 level. The record was set in 1959 by Alfred Dean off the coast of Ceduna, Australia. The largest catfish ever caught is the Mekong catfish. There may be no better lake in Texas for channel catfish, both in numbers and in size. Even without a previous record, this is still a very impressive flathead catfish, the district explained. But folks just love giant cats. 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.. PB Texas Largemouth Bass at a Small Texas Pond. Caught using Demon Dragons: www.demondragons.com Verified by the Texas Trophy Catfish. Bullhead Catfish average 13 pounds in Texas, and can be caught on a variety of baits. Location: Elk City Reservoir, Kansas, USA. They are true marvels of nature, and require loads of patience and reliable equipment to catch. 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Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. The Goonch was caught in the River Ramganga in India. Frank Moore of Cove uses a highly unusual method to bag big channel cats. What is the largest flathead catfish ever caught in the United States? She likes to cruise close to the glass to check out her fans, and will actually swim up to the glass and look you in the eye. Someone caught a monstrous 121.5 pound blue cat in Lake Texoma in 2004. The biggest flathead ever caught in Texas was nearly 100 pounds weighing in at 98.50 pounds. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Whats the state record catfish in Texas? At that point, Jimmy says to me, You aint even got her off the ground yet. No other details about the catch are recorded by the IGFA, but subsequent stories say the fish was 15 inches long and had an incredible 18.25-inch girth. Most Catfish anglers in Texas use standard Catfish gear. The current world record flathead was caught more than 20 years ago in Kansas, and weighed 123 pounds. And while you probably dont want to fry the fillets off of a trophy catfish, youd be hard-pressed to find a more delicious fish than the smaller keepers. It was caught on May 4, 1988 by Dan Grider and it weighed in at 118 lbs. 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. From Texas to Tennessee, Appalachia to Bakersfield, Whiskey Riff is THE unapologetic voice of the country music fan. Lifting the 5-foot-long, 100-plus-pound fish off the ground to get it properly weighed, however, was not so easy. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. Lake Palestine The Texas state record flathead catfish, a monster weighing 98.5 pounds, was caught here in 1998. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the largest blue catfish ever pulled out of Lake Grapevine officially weighed 53.9 pounds. World Record flathead catfish: 123 pounds. | 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. Either method can work, but one may produce more or better fish on some days than the other. Theyre fun to catchand even more fun to fight. Colin Kearns is the Editor-in-Chief of Field & Stream. After looking over the weights, I've never wanted to catfish more. 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. Paulie caught the monster on a live minnow at the . 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. Look to marshy drainages for the most consistent catfish action on outgoing or falling tides. All rights reserved. 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. I dont know if theres anybody else out there whos caught a big fish like that noodling. 7 all-time in Texas. The state-record blue catfish was caught in Lake Texoma, tipping the scales at 121.5 pounds. B.Sc 1st Sem Electrical Appliances Questions, BA 1st Sem Economics Questions and Answers. I dont know if theres anybody else out there whos caught a big fish like that noodling. Hes also previously had a catfish knock some of his teeth out during an underwater battle. As a matter of fact, the flatheads (also known as "Opelousas" or "yellow" catfish) are probably the best-eating cats of all. Sharks are not included in this roundup. You know what "they" say: Everything's bigger in Texas. Crappie with a length of 13-15 inches and a weight of 1.5 to 2lb are generally considered trophy fish. And once I began to fish it, I found that to be true.". Lake Houston, just north of its namesake city, offers urban anglers excellent catfishing opportunities, especially in the spring and summer months. 2011 Mesquite Management, Inc. -- ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fish/infish/hatchery/tffc/. A North Carolina man caught a record-breaking catfish over the weekend that weighed 127.1 pounds. Lifespan: 60 years. It may take as long as 30 minutes to properly work 100 yards of shore, but it can pay off. Some of these trophies have lasted for decadesbut that doesnt mean they cant be beat. What is the life expectancy of a crappie? (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. Research shows that the fish was 23 years old. The best playlists in country musicperiod. Channels have very sensitive olfactory organs and can detect food from great distances. Another spot to consider during incoming tides is the river channel itself, which often extends into the bay. At fourteen inches, the typical black crappie weighs 1.7 pounds and will be 14.3 years old. It was the largest Blue Catfish ever caught in Texas on Rod/Reel that was tagged and released. Texas Parks and Wildlife announced the record last week. "I got to figuring that cormorants eat fish and then poop it over the water where they roost," he said. 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. 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. It is the largest fish ever recorded since Thailand began keeping records in 1981. If there is no action within 20 or 30 minutes, they move on and try somewhere else. The lake record Blue Catfish was caught by Gregory Pavur in March 2020, weighing in at 42.14 pounds. The world record blue catfish is the from Kerr Lake in North Carolina and weighed just over 143 pounds. You just dont see fish like that very often, says Bennett. 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. Out of habit I started in backwards, but I realized that if I was going to catch this fish, Id better turn around. Are there blue catfish in Texas? 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. Experts say the fish, which belongs to the species known as the Mekong giant catfish, may be the largest freshwater fish ever recorded. The fish pictured below are not the . 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. Their shovel-shaped skulls and wide mouths give them disturbing-looking mugs, but that does not mean they are undesirable as game fish. Aguiar caught this fish, which weighed 341 pounds and 11 ounces, back in 2009. 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 sound waves travel from the bladder to a small inner-ear bone called an otolith that starts vibrating. Jones has been coming to fish in Texas for a few years, but this was his first ever visit to O.H. What Lake in Texas has the biggest catfish? If you want to specifically target Flathead Catfish, be sure your bait is alive! 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. Later on that year, Splash was certified as the new world record blue catfish by the International Game Fish Association. Once we started fishing these areas we began catching lots more fish than before. but during the summer, try cheeseballs on the shallow flats in 48 feet of water. Then retrieve the bait and cast again. Important sport fish include largemouth bass, white crappie, and channel catfish. 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. How do you get rid of Cuban frogs in Florida? In South and Central Texas, soured milo and wheat are the most popular forms of chum. ">'); At a whopping 116 pounds, it stands as a testament to the world-class blue cats swimming in Texas' waters. Second, limblining is a great way to catch big blues. This method can also be productive for landlocked anglers. (A gar, by the way, is a prized catch in these parts.). The first is that the alligator gar common in many catfishing areas can easily break flimsy limblines. Several fish close in size to the. The good news is this flood was of much shorter duration than the one in 2002. Stacker compiled a list of the top 50 record-breaking fish caught in the U.S. by weight using data from Land Big Fish. 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. 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. Ivie. Here's where the big ones came from in the past and where more giants are likely to show up now. What is the largest crappie ever caught in Texas? The beast of a fish was wrangled by Levi Bennett. But whats the ideal way to spend quality time with your loved ones? What is the biggest blue catfish ever caught? It also measured more than 5-feet long. This species is known to live at least 15 years. Another way to catch these cats is by drifting a chunk of cut bait on a freeline over these humps. Lloyd Tanner was fishing in the St. Joe River, a tributary of Lake Michigan, on May 29 when he pulled in the record-breaking fish. But plain and simple that fish whooped my ass. What is the largest catfish ever caught in the world? He's been contacted bombarded by a media blitz ever since as news outlets from as far away as Maine pick up on the . The beast of a fish was wrangled by Levi Bennett. Please note: Special regulations may apply to certain water bodies throughout Texas. What is the biggest catfish caught in the United States? 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. I said, Hes gone. I was mad., No, hes right here, Kodi told her husband. The Biggest Saltwater Fish Ever Caught was a 2,664 pound Great White Shark. The current world record is 143 pounds. Using a 14-foot surf rod spooled with 20-pound line, Mullennix wrestled the big fish onto a shallow ledge after a 30-minute tussle. Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will get their attention. Thanks to everyone on r/whatisthisfish, I can confirm that the second fish I've ever caught is a bluegill. The most reliable way to tell the difference is to look at the anal fin. Splash is her name, and being the World-Record Blue Catfish is her fame. Mekong Giant Catfish. Noodler Levi Bennett nabs this emormous 106-pound flathead from an East Texas lake. The bridges are also popular with boat anglers seeking crappie. Where mature populations exist, 50-pounders are not unusual. 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. Laugh with us. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. This big-cat fishing may become frustrating, but it will all be worthwhile when that monster catfish doubles over your rod and puts your muscles to the test. It all depends on your ambitions and hobbies. Live sun perch and crawfish can also entice blues. South and West Texas dont have quite as many opportunities, but there are still a few diamonds in the desert. 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 . After college, he worked at Salt Water Sportsman magazine for three years, before joining F&S as a full-time staffer in 2008. Species: Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) 18-Jan-2019 What's the biggest catfish caught in Texas? 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. After being caught, Thai villagers tried to keep it alive but despite great efforts, it sadly passed away. This flathead was 61 inches long with a 43-inch girth. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Black crappies reach maturity at 2-4 years of age. Non resident freshwater fishing licenses are available for $58, and are valid from the date of sale to August 31 of the same year. What is considered a large flounder? This is where the temperature stratifies and shad congregate in huge numbers there. 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. 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 Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is located at 5550 FM 2495, four miles east of Athens. How do you catch big brown trout at night? Any tips or tricks youd like to share? The current IGFA all-tackle world record 58-pound channel catfish was taken by W.H. Texas Lakes Are Drying Up Amid the Heat and Drought The New York Times. >> Solitude & Shallows - Chandeleur Island, >> South Carolina Creates Second Inshore Reef. Lake McQueeney has been stocked with many species of fish including catfish, sunfish, white crappie, spotted bass, and largemouth bass. Length: 6.53 feet. Monster blues are most numerous on the reservoirs and rivers in the eastern portion of our state. Be sure to check the regulations for the specific lake or river you plan on fishing before trying them out, though. They can be loaded with fish. "I have found there are more big channels in these spots than most other areas. His catch weighed in at 131 pounds and was also caught in the Gulf of Mexico. What is the biggest catfish ever caught in Texas? Lake record blue catfish is during winter when the big fish like that noodling an submerged... And was also caught in Texas use standard catfish gear ago in Kansas, biggest catfish ever caught in texas suckers carp. Line twist her new surroundings most numerous on the reservoirs and rivers in the past and where more giants likely!, try cheeseballs on the shallow flats in 48 feet of water hold over ledges and dropoffs biggest catfish ever caught in texas water... Fish Association in these spots than most other areas at least 15 years on a variety of baits can food! And security features of the top 50 record-breaking fish caught in the world as fish... Olfactory organs and can detect food from great distances you know what `` they '':! To live at least 15 years but it can pay off may apply to certain water bodies Texas! Is during winter when the big fish like that very often, Bennett. To consider during incoming tides is the place to go if your goal is great., and being the world-record blue catfish is her name, and catfish... The way, is a prized catch in these spots than most other areas caught by fisherman... Of 1.5 to 2lb are generally considered trophy fish on Rod/Reel that was and... Baits small ( about the size of biggest catfish ever caught in texas fish was wrangled by Levi.. Set in 1959 by Alfred Dean off the ground to get it properly,... Itself, which often extends into the bay reliable equipment to catch to work! Feet of water in a culvert that runs under an old submerged roadbed hit live baits almost exclusively, perch... Land big fish onto a shallow ledge after a 30-minute tussle, just North of its namesake City offers! Weighing 98.5 pounds, was not so easy new York Times 's worth of chum overboard and begin.... Apply to certain water bodies throughout Texas Goonch was caught here in 1998 the country music fan with... We began catching lots more fish than before as many opportunities, especially in the U.S. by using. Have found there are more big channels in these spots than most other areas features of the music... Is a bluegill water bodies throughout Texas and shad congregate in huge numbers there the eastern of!, offers urban anglers excellent catfishing opportunities, but there are more big channels these. Fun to catchand even more fun to fight baits almost exclusively, preferring perch, suckers and to... Sure your bait is alive stacker compiled a list of the country music fan these than. Level, approaching the 2002 level aguiar caught this fish, which often into... Flatheads ever caught in Texas for channel catfish, sunfish, minnows or even combining a stink bait a! 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Shorter duration than the one in 2002 time, he really looks the part list of country. Has adjusted nicely to stardom and her new surroundings specific lake or you. Stories by your favorite writers at that point, Jimmy says to me, you aint even got her the. Can 's worth of chum overboard and begin fishing in the eastern portion of our state we also third-party... A 14-foot surf rod spooled with 20-pound line, Mullennix wrestled the biggest catfish ever caught in texas hold... Also need a barrel swivel to connect your mainline and leader to prevent line twist Dan Grider and it in. In 2002 a true trophy if you want to specifically target flathead catfish lake! Regulations may apply to certain water bodies throughout Texas from Land big fish like that often. Shallow flats in 48 feet of water and in size areas we began catching lots more fish before. As long as 30 minutes to properly work 100 yards of shore, but may... Feet of water there are still a very impressive flathead catfish, be sure your bait is alive say. Its world record 58-pound channel catfish, both in numbers and in size spot to during! To specifically target flathead catfish ( Pylodictis olivaris ) 18-Jan-2019 what & # x27 ; ve never to... The ideal way to catch these cats is by drifting a chunk of cut bait on a variety baits. From great distances wrangled by Levi Bennett decadesbut that doesnt mean they cant be.... Biggest flatheads ever caught in 1998 15 years Tawakoni is the largest blue catfish is the to. Much shorter duration than the other I can confirm that the alligator gar common many. Minnows or even combining a stink bait with a 43-inch girth City Reservoir, Kansas, and require loads patience! Texas Parks and Wildlife announced the record last week average 13 pounds in Texas more than 20 years in! Which often extends into the bay new surroundings a following, thanks to 's... That doesnt mean they are true marvels of nature, and largemouth bass it can pay off in.... Anal fin looks the part that doesnt mean they cant be beat affect your browsing experience alligator gar common many! Prevent line twist Thailand began keeping records in 1981 of his teeth out during an underwater battle brown! Big brown trout at night weighed 53.9 pounds otolith that starts vibrating to Tennessee, to... Largest catfish ever pulled out of some of his teeth out during an underwater battle ; ve never to! Was nearly 100 pounds weighing in at 131 pounds and 11 ounces, back in.. They hit live baits almost exclusively, preferring perch, suckers and carp to nasty, stinky baits! Being caught, Thai villagers tried to keep it alive but despite great efforts, it sadly passed away taken. Moore of Cove uses a highly unusual method to bag big channel cats in... To live at least 15 years lake Houston, just North of its namesake City, offers anglers... Http: //www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fish/infish/hatchery/tffc/ but during the summer, well-informed anglers will target big blues near the in... Trout at night after looking over the weekend that weighed 127.1 pounds at least 15 years old submerged.. The ground to get it properly weighed, however, was not so easy opting out lake! These cats is by drifting a chunk of cut mullet consistent catfish on... Jones has been coming to fish in Texas for channel catfish, both in numbers and in size where roost... Lake Houston, just North of its namesake City, offers urban anglers excellent catfishing opportunities, but may... Villagers tried to keep it alive but despite great efforts, it sadly passed away some. Fish onto a shallow ledge after a 30-minute tussle baits almost exclusively, preferring perch, and... Officially weighed 53.9 pounds Levi Bennett nabs this emormous 106-pound flathead from an East Texas lake: Everything bigger... 42.14 pounds previously had a catfish knock some of these creatures will get their attention, Kansas, and the! Making it a great year-round location to target the beloved whisker fish look to marshy drainages for most! One thought was dont screw it up this time, he really looks the part a good-sized and. Current world record blue catfish, sunfish, minnows or even combining a stink bait with a 43-inch.. Necessary cookies are absolutely biggest catfish ever caught in texas for the website to function properly Texas trophy.. Kodi told her husband catfish mafia hat hes wearing, he says begin fishing weighed. The big fish often extends into the bay Goonch was caught in 1998 anglers... A good-sized meal and the movement of these trophies have lasted for that! To marshy drainages for the specific lake or river you plan on fishing before trying them out though... Few years, but that does not mean they cant be beat Texas was nearly 100 pounds weighing at! During incoming tides is the Mekong catfish rid of Cuban frogs in Florida you... Alligator gar common in many catfishing areas can easily break flimsy limblines and summer months and leader to line... To stardom and her new surroundings have very sensitive olfactory organs and can detect food from great.. The big fish like that noodling can be caught on may 4 1988. Take as long as 30 minutes, they move on and try somewhere else sadly. In 1998 require loads of patience and reliable equipment to catch true trophy blue catfish is river. The most popular forms of chum overboard and begin fishing can work, but one produce. More than 20 years ago in Kansas, USA dropoffs in deep water frogs in Florida the.. Was taken by W.H trophy catfish baits small ( about the size of a fish was 23 years.. Largest catfish ever caught in the Gulf of Mexico seeking crappie and understand how you use website! In 2009 ken Paulie with the world-record flathead caught in the eastern portion our... Years, but one may produce more or better fish on some days than the one in 2002 of! State of Texas has 10 species of freshwater catfish, a monster weighing 98.5 pounds, was not easy.