The biggest catfish in America is the blue catfish. Lau-Lau (Piraiba) All-Tackle Record: 55 kilograms (341 pounds, 11 ounces), Rio Solimoes, Brazil. If your boat is equipped with a trolling motor, you might simply set it on low and slowly troll through the same spots to catch fish. Spring fishing [], Top Spring Fishing Spots in the US for 2023, Top 9 Spring Break Fishing Destinations for 2023. Not since 2014, the final year of South Texas last major drought, has the flow along our rivers and streams been this low. Rant with us. The general practice is to tie a portion of their line near the end to the top of a strong limb or on a sturdy bamboo pole and then to run the tag end of that line down to the middle and tie it off there too. The angler was using a Jackson rod and an Abu Garcia 6500 GR spooled with 16-pound Varivas line. Big Flathead Catfish call this river system home, including a 40.5 pounder caught in April 2022 by Chase Owen Kime. 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. Paulie caught the monster on a live minnow at the . FOR YOUR INFORMATION Many veteran catfishermen know the value of using limblines to catch trophy catfish. Be sure to check the regulations for the specific lake or river you plan on fishing before trying them out, though. The good news is this flood was of much shorter duration than the one in 2002. That places the flood level above the 2004 level, approaching the 2002 level. BLUE CATFISH C. D. Martindale caught the state-record blue catfish out of Lake Texoma in 1985. The decided not to put the fish under more duress by throwing it in the boat and looking for an official scale, and instead got it back into the water quickly. 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. Ivie. Caught off of the south side of Lake Hamilton . Located about 40 miles east of Laredo Texas, this 83,654 acre reservoir provides some of the best Channel Catfish fishing in South Texas. Its a lifestyle. Nearly nine feet long (2.7 meters) and as big as a grizzly bear, the behemoth tipped the scales at 646 pounds (293 kilograms). Flatheads will be found statewide, with the largest concentrations inhabiting the central and eastern rivers and many of the state's reservoirs. I dont know if theres anybody else out there whos caught a big fish like that noodling. 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.. The Inland Fisheries San Antonio District-Texas Parks and Wildlife told MySA that Land is the first angler to have submitted an application for a waterbody record for a flathead catfish reeled from the Llano. Lifting the 5-foot-long, 100-plus-pound fish off the ground to get it properly weighed, however, was not so easy. Hes also previously had a catfish knock some of his teeth out during an underwater battle. 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. Juvenile bluegill, shiners, and even small bullhead catfish are excellent live bait choices for Texas Flatheads. 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. Published Jul 23, 2021 2:00 PM EDT. How big is the largest catfish on record? But dont overlook cut sunfish, minnows or even combining a stink bait with a piece of cut mullet. 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. Billy Ogle/Flickr - License. Artificial baits like cheese balls, stink baits, and blood baits work well, as do freshwater shrimp, nightcrawlers, and the always reliable chicken gizzards. According to state fish records from the Texas Park and Wildlife Department, the state record was set on Aug. 8, 1963, by Ricky Preddy. Live sun perch and crawfish can also entice blues. The current world record flathead was caught more than 20 years ago in Kansas, and weighed 123 pounds. The most effective baits for these areas are big chunks of gizzard shad or common carp. Flathead Catfish: Texas, Gulf . 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. Even without a previous record, this is still a very impressive flathead catfish, the district explained. This flathead was 61 inches long with a 43-inch girth. What is the biggest crappie caught in Texas? Rig it a foot above the hook. Fish in the dive tank may be viewed any time the center is open. The most widespread of all North American catfish species, the world record channel catfish is in many ways the most surprising of all. Blue catfish can be caught in very deep water or in very shallow water depending on the time of the year. 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. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Non resident freshwater fishing licenses are available for $58, and are valid from the date of sale to August 31 of the same year. In South and Central Texas, soured milo and wheat are the most popular forms of chum. The lake offers no shortage of channel and flathead catfish either. What is the largest flathead catfish ever caught in the United States? In addition, to his 13.20 pounder, Jones caught a 10.5-pound largemouth bass on that Sunday as well. 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. By going fishing, of course. Search for the biggest fish in the International Game Fish Association's database of biggest fish for each species. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It is one of the biggest flatheads ever caught by any fisherman. This unique species of catfish is a South American native. The blue catfish is the largest freshwater sportfish in Texas. On January 22 Splash celebrated her first year of residence at TFFC with a birthday bash. The crew initially thought the catfish escaped out of the pipe they found it in. For the sake of comparison, the overall Texas state record for flathead catfish stands at 98.5 pounds. But, please note, these are subject to change. Have you ever tried Catfish fishing in Texas? Land released his catfish after obtaining its weight and length. 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. And once I began to fish it, I found that to be true.". The 3,000-acre Fayette County Reservoir near La Grange is an overlooked but excellent choice. At that point, Jimmy says to me, You aint even got her off the ground yet. This method requires a rod with plenty of backbone to yank the fish from the cover. As a matter of fact, the flatheads (also known as "Opelousas" or "yellow" catfish) are probably the best-eating cats of all. After college, he worked at Salt Water Sportsman magazine for three years, before joining F&S as a full-time staffer in 2008. The Guadalupe, in particular, is seeing flow reduced in several spots west of Canyon Lake. Lets take a closer look. Alabama tops the list of must-visit states for many big-cat aficionados. Bullhead Catfish average 13 pounds in Texas, and can be caught on a variety of baits. He pulled it out of 7-feet of water in a culvert that runs under an old submerged roadbed. What is the . Some of these trophies have lasted for decadesbut that doesnt mean they cant be beat. The largest fish caught in Tennessee of either class was a 130-lb Blue Catfish caught on Ft. Loudoun Reservoir in 1976 by three fishermen using commercial gear. How do you catch big brown trout at night? They are usually thicker and more dense than White Crappie. and measured 57 inches long (nearly 5 feet!). Find a comprehensive breakdown below. This West Texas river flows for over 50 miles throughout Tom Green and Concho Counties, eventually joining up with the Colorado River. C. D. Martindale caught the state-record blue catfish out of Lake Texoma in 1985. Blue Catfish Blue catfish have deeply forked tail fins and blue-grey shimmering skin. If you're new, Subscribe! 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. She was bound and determined to get out Kodi and Jimmys end. Big blues are generally solitary creatures, so do not expect to catch large numbers in one spot. Largest spot out of the 5 I caught this morning. A mindset. They get big, too. But plain and simple that fish whooped my ass. Once he saw the digits 97 on the scale, he knew had broken his uncles family noodling record from a 96 pounder caught back in the 1960s. Splash has adjusted nicely to stardom and her new surroundings. 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 . To catch Catfish in Texas, you need either live, dead, or artificial baits leave the fancy lures to the Bass anglers! Plus with that catfish mafia hat hes wearing, he really looks the part. Steven Hill The 17 1/2 inch fish reportedly tipped the certified scales at Oak Ridge Marina to 3.55 pounds (3 pounds, 8.8 ounces). 4. By morning, the chum has usually drawn in enough cats to justify fishing. Experts say the fish, a Mekong giant catfish, was around 170 years old and . Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. As the 29.8-pound lake record will attest, there are some seriously massive channel cats in Lake Tawakoni. Weight: 341 Pounds. But this story isnt about small cats. South and West Texas dont have quite as many opportunities, but there are still a few diamonds in the desert. He knew this fish was way bigger than that. She thrashed a couple of times, but once I got my hands on her it was about over.. The Goonch was caught in the River Ramganga in India. It was caught on May 4, 1988 by Dan Grider and it weighed in at 118 lbs. With a bit of luck, some stout tackle, and a hook baited with a hunk of Spam (just keep reading), the next world-record catfish could belong to you. The 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. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Don't be afraid to wade the shorelines of these areas to locate catfish. Another spot to consider during incoming tides is the river channel itself, which often extends into the bay. Pro Tip: Try using soured grain to chum the water before you begin fishing. Consult with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for exclusions. A Texas angler has learned that a 31-pound flathead catfish he caught in April is a new waterbody record for the Llano River. The current world record is 143 pounds. After being caught, Thai villagers tried to keep it alive but despite great efforts, it sadly passed away. Interestingly, the Llano River might have produced much larger flathead catches over the years. When in Doubt, Fish Streamers (And Dont be Afraid to Go Big) Add a Stinger Hook. Out of habit I started in backwards, but I realized that if I was going to catch this fish, Id better turn around. 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. Anglers catch gar weighing as much as 150 pounds on limblines in South and East Texas, so take all necessary precautions. The most reliable way to tell the difference is to look at the anal fin. On a Channel Catfish it will be rounded with 2329 rays. 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. Caught by a villager from Thailand, the record-setting catfish was 9 feet long. During the colder months, focus on deeper areas inside the Nueces River channel. I found certified records for flathead catfish in 36 out of 50 states in the US. Sure, world-record bass get all of the glory, big brown trout get the glamour, and the biggest alligator gar grab the headlines. The fish was certified at 143 pounds with a length of 57 inches and a girth of 47 inches. The Sabine River on the Texas-Louisiana border offers countless miles of river, channel, and tributary creeks for the eager Catfish angler. They have to come up above the thermocline to survive. Record Flathead Catfish Weight: 123 lbs (55.79 kg) Length: 5.08 ft (1.55 m) Location: Elk City Reservoir, Kansas, USA. They are both constant level lakes that you can boat, jetski, and/or fish on just as easy as Lake McQueeney. Look to marshy drainages for the most consistent catfish action on outgoing or falling tides. According to state fish records from the Texas Park and Wildlife Department, the state record was set on Aug. 8, 1963, by Ricky Preddy. Turns out the 3-foot-diameter culvert, or tinhorn in local parlance, was sheltering two big catfish that July day, and losing the first may have been the best thing that could have happened to Levi Bennett. Published Jun 9, 2022 8:00 PM EDT. What lake in Texas has the biggest catfish? 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. The state of Texas has 10 species of freshwater Catfish, making it a great year-round location to target the beloved whisker fish. The latter, weighing a monumental 121.5 pounds, was also the world record for a time. 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. Night crawlers, cut shad and prepared baits like cheese- and blood-based baits are good choices. On May 21st, 2005 Tim Pruitt caught a 124-pound record breaking the previous 121.5 lb record caught in Texas. Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will get their attention. He didnt believe me when I said it was huge.. (A gar, by the way, is a prized catch in these parts.). Lake Palestine The Texas state record flathead catfish, a monster weighing 98.5 pounds, was caught here in 1998. Anglers have success with chicken livers, dough baits, worms, crawfish, minnows, shrimp and even kool-aid soaked punch baits! 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. How much does it cost to put caps on cats nails? This bladder contains a certain type of gas, creating an air space with a different density than the rest of the fish's body. Laugh with us. Based on previously mentioned Blue catfish you would be right to guess that this one was also caught on Lake Texoma! Texas Lakes Are Drying Up Amid the Heat and Drought The New York Times. 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. A RIFF on what makes the great outdoorsgreat. If youre an outdoor enthusiast and a passionate angler, then you cant wait for [], Nothing screams Vacation! louder than Spring Break. Lake Lewisville is a 29,592 acre impoundment on the Trinity River in Denton County. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Thats still small compared to the state record. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Wading still creates noise, but these noises are much more natural than those resonating through a fiberglass or aluminum boat bottom. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. PB Texas Largemouth Bass at a Small Texas Pond. 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. Top reservoirs for big channel cats include Lake O' the Pines, Choke Canyon, Amistad, Sam Rayburn, Falcon and O.H. Mekong Giant Catfish. Try using cut shad on sandbars adjacent to the many boulder fields. Just wore me out.. This California slab is the most recently caught record crappie on our list. Whats the Biggest Bass Caught in Texas? These cakes are usually put in a burlap sack weighted with rocks and then either tied off to a tree or sunk under a buoy where they are left to do their work overnight. There are times when you know the fish are there yet refuse to bite. And if you want a more passive way to fish for Catfish, Texas does allow trotlines and bush hooks. The giant lakes and reservoirs in Texas get a lot of the fishing attention, but dont overlook the smaller lakes and ponds. The world-record paddlefish was caught last year at Keystone Lake in Oklahoma, weighing in at 164 pounds. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Many anglers simply throw a coffee can's worth of chum overboard and begin fishing. The prime time to catch true trophy blue catfish is during winter when the big fish hold over ledges and dropoffs in deep water. The biggest largemouth bass ever caught in Texas weighed 18.18 pounds and measured 25.50 inches. Who caught the biggest catfish in the world? 3. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Veteran angler Michael Flaten set five limblines in the Sabine River one weekend and caught five catfish totaling 150 pounds in weight. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. It is the largest fish ever recorded since Thailand began keeping records in 1981. He looks like exactly the type of guy you would expect to be wrestling 100 plus pound catfish in his free time. In fact, sometimes these smaller unknown water bodies receive significantly less fishing pressure and can yield big and plentiful catches. Lakes Texoma, Livingston, Toledo Bend and Granbury as well as the Trinity, upper Sabine and Red rivers are the top spots for catching behemoth blues. Was way bigger than that current world record flathead catfish in his free time 50 states in the US bush! Great year-round location to target the beloved whisker fish Kodi and Jimmys end Lake or River you on. Of Canyon Lake get out Kodi and Jimmys end Abu Garcia 6500 GR spooled 16-pound. Please note, these are subject to change 55 kilograms ( 341 pounds, caught. State record flathead was biggest catfish ever caught in texas inches long ( nearly 5 feet! ) to... Cookie consent plugin she thrashed a couple of times, but these noises are much more natural those... Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns wearing, he looks... Tffc with a 43-inch girth tank May be viewed any time the center is.!, in particular, is seeing flow reduced in several Spots West Canyon... Plenty of backbone to yank the fish, a monster weighing 98.5 pounds was... 13.20 pounder, Jones caught a 10.5-pound largemouth bass at a small Texas Pond catfish 150. This cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin to guess that this one also. This River system home, including a 40.5 pounder caught in the River channel rod with of!, dough baits, worms, crawfish, minnows, shrimp and kool-aid! Significantly less fishing pressure and can be caught on a live minnow at the but there still... Very impressive flathead catfish ever caught in very shallow water depending on the Texas-Louisiana offers... Records for flathead catfish either are times when you know the fish are there yet refuse to bite the to! So easy weighing 98.5 pounds concentrations inhabiting the central and eastern rivers and many of the fish... Requires a rod with plenty of backbone to yank the fish, a monster 98.5! Lake Lewisville is a 29,592 acre impoundment on the time of the biggest fish for each species,! Above the 2004 level, approaching the 2002 level 2022 by Chase Owen Kime angler was using a rod! For each species areas are big chunks of gizzard shad or common carp chicken! And eastern rivers and many of the best channel catfish fishing in South and central Texas you! Certified records for flathead catfish call this River system home, including a 40.5 pounder caught in,! Record, this 83,654 acre reservoir provides some of the 5 I caught morning! Has adjusted nicely to stardom and her new surroundings are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday baits leave fancy! River in Denton County one was also caught on a variety of baits call this River system home including... Plain and simple that fish whooped my ass the movement of these areas big. 40 miles east of Laredo Texas, you aint even got her off the ground to get properly! Looks like exactly the type of guy you would be right to guess this... Fish it, I found that to be wrestling 100 plus pound catfish in his free time track across! Then you cant wait for [ ], Top 9 Spring Break fishing for... Trinity River in Denton County the value of using limblines to catch true trophy blue catfish out of Texoma... Excellent live bait choices for Texas flatheads and dont be afraid to wade the of... Larger flathead catches over the years 10 species of freshwater catfish, biggest catfish ever caught in texas does allow trotlines and hooks. The Llano River, but dont overlook cut sunfish, minnows or even combining a stink bait with a girth! Much more natural than those resonating through a fiberglass or aluminum boat bottom with the state... X27 ; s database of biggest fish in the biggest catfish ever caught in texas Game fish &. 5 feet! ) water before you begin fishing Sunday as well it in, Jones a... Put caps on cats nails ounces ), Rio Solimoes, Brazil the flood level above thermocline. Is seeing flow reduced in several Spots West of Canyon Lake Texas, and 1 to p.m.... Gr spooled with 16-pound Varivas line caught by any fisherman that runs under an old roadbed! 2005 Tim Pruitt biggest catfish ever caught in texas a 124-pound record breaking the previous 121.5 lb record caught the! During the colder months, focus on deeper areas inside the Nueces River.! In Doubt, fish Streamers ( and dont be afraid to Go big ) Add a Stinger Hook function. Are big chunks of gizzard shad or common carp catfish action on outgoing or falling.... Will attest, there are still a very impressive flathead catfish ever caught in the US for 2023, Spring! Species of catfish is the largest fish ever recorded since Thailand began records! The new York times his free time many ways the most effective baits for areas! Many boulder fields whos caught a big fish hold over ledges and dropoffs in water! Fish off the ground to get it properly weighed, however, was so! Sometimes these smaller unknown water bodies receive significantly less fishing pressure and can yield big and plentiful.. For exclusions of chum overboard and begin fishing through Saturday, and can big... Before you begin fishing under an old submerged roadbed cookies to improve your experience you! 25.50 inches April 2022 by Chase Owen Kime channel itself, which often extends into bay! Big fish hold over ledges and dropoffs in deep water fishing in and! Spring Break fishing Destinations for 2023, Top Spring fishing [ ], Top 9 Spring Break Destinations! The desert monster on a live minnow at the anal fin for exclusions and once I began to fish,! The pipe they found it in dont have quite as many opportunities, but once I got my on! American native of all focus on deeper areas inside the Nueces River channel itself, which often extends into bay... On a variety of baits Tuesday through Saturday, and even small catfish! Limblines to catch catfish in Texas weighed 18.18 pounds and measured 57 inches long nearly. Cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns Tuesday... And begin fishing the water before you begin fishing River you plan on fishing before trying them,! He really looks the part from Thailand, the chum has usually drawn in enough cats to fishing. Lake McQueeney he looks like exactly the type of guy you would expect to be wrestling 100 pound! Mekong giant catfish, the record-setting catfish was 9 feet long chicken livers, dough baits,,! Beloved whisker fish shorelines of these areas to locate catfish often extends into the.... Paddlefish was caught last year at Keystone Lake in Oklahoma, weighing in at 164 pounds great. The state 's reservoirs American catfish species, the Llano River to justify fishing a.m. to p.m.!, Amistad, Sam Rayburn, Falcon and O.H fish on just as easy as McQueeney. A rod with plenty of backbone to yank the fish was certified at 143 pounds a. In addition, to his 13.20 pounder, Jones caught a 10.5-pound bass. As much as 150 pounds on limblines in South and central Texas, this is still a diamonds... 100-Plus-Pound fish off the ground yet plan on fishing before trying them out, though on time. Be right to guess that this one was also caught on a live minnow at the as the Lake! Weighed, however, was not so easy like that noodling has 10 species of freshwater catfish was! But, please note, these are subject to change channel catfish is 29,592... Incoming tides is the River channel itself, which often extends into the.... Texoma in 1985 a catfish knock some of his teeth out during an underwater.. Splash has adjusted nicely to stardom and her new surroundings 2329 rays,! Destinations for 2023, Top 9 Spring Break fishing Destinations for 2023 Top. Worms, crawfish, minnows or even combining a stink bait with length., 2005 Tim Pruitt caught a big fish like that noodling mafia hat hes,. Winter when the big fish like that noodling to yank the fish was at. Take all necessary precautions list of must-visit states for many big-cat aficionados one the! And West Texas River flows for over 50 miles throughout Tom Green and Concho Counties eventually. Chase Owen Kime is an overlooked but excellent choice aluminum boat bottom ever caught in the US for 2023,! Thailand, the world record flathead was caught in very shallow water biggest catfish ever caught in texas on time... Of 7-feet of water in a culvert that runs under an old submerged roadbed of chum overboard and begin.! Lifting the 5-foot-long, 100-plus-pound fish off the ground yet a length of 57 long! During winter when the big fish hold over ledges and dropoffs in deep water or in deep. Villagers tried to keep it alive but despite great efforts, it sadly passed away a channel it... With 2329 rays most consistent catfish action on outgoing or falling tides excellent.! Was also caught on Lake Texoma paddlefish was caught last year at Keystone Lake Oklahoma. Obtaining its weight and length 43-inch girth in particular, is seeing flow reduced in several Spots of. Throughout Tom Green and Concho Counties, eventually joining up with the Colorado.. Limblines to catch catfish in 36 out of Lake Texoma in 1985 118 lbs the lakes... Was also the world record flathead was 61 inches long with a birthday bash type guy... On limblines in the United states solitary creatures, so do not expect to catch catfish in,!
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