Buttery, savory pecans are seasoned up to make... Ned Kehde breaks down the finer points of the Rabid Baits Goby. Roy Groves was apparently an exceptional catfish angler, credited with catching South Dakota's 55-pound state record channel catfish (pictured) as well as a 95-pound blue. Carson Pete's Arizona record channel catfish measured 39 1/2 inches and took about 20 minutes to land. Whether or not you believe such giant cats ever lived, you can't completely discount the tales out of hand. Likewise, the white cat range has been expanded, with fish stocked in ponds, lakes and rivers in California, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon and a few other states in the Midwest and Northeast. Here are some interesting factoids we found: Note: This list was compiled from data currently available. This Elk Venison Patty Melt Recipe makes the perfect wild game sandwich. The current IGFA all-tackle world record 58-pound channel catfish was taken by W.H. Increase a lure’s effectiveness by pairing it with the ideal reel speed. While most states' white cat records stand at 10 pounds or less, Florida, Nevada, Oregon and Rhode Island all boast record fish of 15 pounds or larger. The largest Mekong cat ever caught weighed more than 600 pounds. The In-Fisherman crew head to Lake Erie to catch smallmouth bass. "My pappy told me there are some massive catfish in Tawakoni, so … The answer? "My biggest before this was a 34-pound red snapper I caught deep-sea fishing," he said. Heckman's tome cites additional evidence suggesting that 125 to 200-pound blues taken from the Missouri and Mississippi rivers were fairly common in the 1800s. The IGFA all-tackle world record was caught by W.H. "We used a form of spine sampling to determine that Greg Bernal's (previous world record) 130-pound blue catfish was merely 18-years old," said Brown. (Photo courtesy of FWC), Jacob Vosburgh, 20, of Lexington Park, set a Maryland white catfish record in 2017. This massive monster is also more than likely the largest freshwater fish that has ever been recorded, making it doubly impressive. Forget finicky flatheads and boorish blues. According to the locals familiar with the area, it is home to a lot of catfish and some big ones have Leave a Reply Cancel reply. You don't have to go stinky with catfish baits. 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 Michael Cassidy and Paul Pluff talk about their elk hunt in New Mexico using the Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Hunter. Tarn River, France -- While fishing in the Tarn river, Jean-Christophe Conéjéro landed a catfish that was 2.74m long, which sets the new world record for the Largest Catfish Caught, (Largest Catfish Ever Caught) according to the Academy of World Records. What was the biggest freshwater fish ever caught with a line and rod? "This is totally untapped water," notes King. Most fishing rods feature both an action and a power rating, but what do those ratings mean and how do you use them to select the right rod for different scenarios? The new world record blue catfish was caught Saturday night June 18th 2011 at John H. Kerr-Buggs Island Lake near Clarksville Virginia . The Hobie MirageDrive 360 pedal propulsion system is the pinnacle of kayak control with more efficient fin designs, glide technology and allows the boat to be moved in any direction. The typical length is about 25–46 in (64–117 cm). Crankbaits mimic exactly what they eat when hungry — other fish! During the past year, the next downstream reservoir on the Roanoke River system has emerged as a potential site for another record blue. Easton FMJ Arrows Offer Bowhunters More Penetration, Baitfish for Bass: Search, Suspend or Sink Crankbaits, Mud Hole MHX Rod Building Kits: Field-Tested, Southwestern Venison Chorizo Quiche Recipe, Great Catfish Baits That Won't Stink Up the Place, How to Catch Suspended Catfish in Late Summer with Proven Tactics, Action and Power Ratings- How to Choose the Right Bass Rod, Hunting Elk with the Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Hunter in 6.5 PRC, Understanding Reel Retrieve Ratios and How it Affects Lure Presentations, Catch More Bass on a Jerkbait in the Cooler Months. The oldest record — a 55-pound channel catch in South Carolina, 1949 — is approaching 80 years old, Michigan's flathead record (70-0) was reportedly caught while ice fishing. Another 'fish sensation' was brought in about 1868 when two men brought into Hermann, Missouri a blue cat that tipped the scales at 242 lb." OK, fair warning, I’m not if sure the following video is real. Bowden, City Lake in Rocky Mount, 9/1/1970, Flathead: 78-0, Brian Newberger, Cape Fear River, 9/17/2005, White: 13-0, Jerry Wayne Bentley, Lake James, 5/21/1990, Channel: 42-1, Tina Willis, Moon Lake, 7/25/2009, Blue: 96-0, Chris Rolph, Ohio River, 6/11/2009, Channel: 37.65, Gus Gronowski, LaDue Reservoir, 8/15/1992, Flathead: 76.5, Richard Affolter, Clendening Lake, 7/28/1979, Blue: 98-0, Billy Nabors, Texoma, 11/11/2004, Channel: 35-15, Gary Doak Jr., Taft Lake, 9/11/2005, Flathead: 78-8, Richard Williams, El Reno City Reservoir, 5/11/2010, Channel: 36-8, Boone Haddock, McKay Reservoir, 1980, Flathead: 42-0, Joshua Kralicek, Snake River, 1994, White: 15-0, Wayne Welch, Tualatin River, 1989, Channel: 35-2.5, Austin Roth III, Lehigh Canal, 1991, Flathead: 48-6, James Shabrach, Blue Marsh Spillway, 2006, White: 16-12, L. Angell, Tiogue Lake, 8/1994, *Channel: 58-0, W.H. On the morning of July 6, 2020, rumor began circulating of a potential North Carolina state record blue catfish. Danny Brown, Big River Fisheries Biologist for the Missouri Conservation Department offers insight for modern record hunters. With help from his father and stepbrother, Anderson eventually wrestled the gargantuan blue, which boasted a 57-inch length and massive 47-inch girth, into his pontoon. Further, in a cooperative effort conducted by Tennessee and Florida state biologists, 773 blue catfish from diverse U.S. rivers and reservoirs were sampled and aged. Field-proven big-game arrows for lethal hunting results. Particularly with larger channel cats, distinguishing the species isn't as easy as, say, a walleye versus a pike — two more fish often referred to by both names (i.e. "Spent a few days there a few years back and on every spot we tried, we got bit by or caught a big fish. Working current seams for channel catfish can be productive, but you must first understand... Give a Gift   And yet, few diehard catfish folks would be completely shocked if the next world record flathead surpasses Ken Paulie's current 123-pound monster. It was nearly 5 … Yet while several previous world blue cat records have been pulled from the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, including fish of 130 and 121 pounds, it's becoming increasingly clear that the biggest fish may in fact live in large reservoirs. Categories Cute cat Images. World’s Largest Mekong Catfish Caught ©Photo from Suthep Kristsanavarin. Mud Hole makes rod-building simple and fun for novice rod builders. One surefire way to know for sure is to count the rays on the fish's anal fin. The fish can surely be hooked. On May 21st, 2005 Tim Pruitt caught a 124 pound record breaking the previous 121.5 lb record caught in Texas. Folks are increasingly realizing that the beauty of a big bluegill lies in its rarity. The Biggest Catfish Ever Caught. The largest catfish ever caught in a tournament was caught on Kerr Lake in Virginia and it was caught by Dale Lowe, Jr. in the Ice Bowl Tournament. The biggest catfish caught in the world for this species weighed 121.5 pounds and was captured at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge on Lake Texoma. The blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) is the largest species of North American catfish, reaching a length of 165 cm (65 in) and a weight of 68 kg (150 lb). For their own sakes, ambiguous old records sometimes serve as more intriguing tales as they stand, adding to the overall mystique of catfishing. White catfish thrive in New England and Northeastern states, where other catfish species can be comparatively scarce. What would you do, if big ol' WR decided to ring your bell? The Arkansas River behemoth was one of the largest freshwater fish ever caught in North America, but it sparked little attention. What was the biggest freshwater fish ever caught with a line and rod? What is the biggest catfish ever caught in the Mississippi River? This type of trolling is an outstanding technique for covering water. All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. ©2021 Outdoor Sportsman Group. "Over the years I've had on the line twelve giant fish that either spooled me or that simply could not be landed. Experts have stated that a 646 pounder might be the world’s largest freshwater fish ever caught. The current all-tackle world record, caught in Elk City Reservoir, Kans., in 1998, weighed 123 pounds. North American Record Catfish North American Record Catfish World Record Catfish The Largest Ever Caught ... record catfish the largest ever caught alton resident catches 736 pound catfish in mississippi 7 largest catfish ever caught org 10 biggest catfish world records of all time. The record for the largest catfish ever caught belongs to the Mekong Giant “Grizzly Bear”. Flathead: 80-0, William Swanson, Loup Power Canal, 4/16/1988, Channel: 32-7, Scott Barrett, South Fork Reservoir, 6/27/2011, White (tie): 17-4, Corey Ryan, Lahontan Reservoir, 6/26/2008; Jose Mendoza, Humboldt River, 9/17/2005, Channel: 12-4.8, Dave Kellam, Connecticut River, 9/20/2014, White: 5-11, Zachary Cross, Big Cub Pond, 8/4/1996, Channel: 33-3, Howard Hudson, Lake Hopatcong, 1978, White: 14-4, Timothy Jasko, Dallenbach Pond, 2004, White: 10-5, Joe Silicato, New Croton Reservoir, 5/17/1998, Blue: 117-8, Landon Evans, Lake Gaston, 6/11/2016, Channel: 23-4, E.J. Masullo de Aguiar's Piraiba was caught in 2009 and weighed 341 pounds 11 ounces (155 kilograms). “Mark Twain mentions large catfish in his books—those fish were likely blues.” Blue catfish are the focus of many urban legends, mostly stories of huge catfish below dams. Fishing on the Mississippi River near Alton, Illionois Tim Pruitt landed the massive 124-pound cat after a battle lasting nearly 40 minutes a 58 inch long, 44 inch girth blue surfaced. The catfish was caught in Thailand by several fishermen in 2005. "This was a very healthy, youthful fish. On May 21st, 2005 Tim Pruitt caught a 124 pound record breaking the previous 121.5 lb record caught in Texas. In Texas, the largest flathead catfish ever caught was 114 pounds, the post said. Everywhere. The catfishing world exploded with chatter on June 18, 2011 with talk of a new world record blue catfish, much larger than the previous largest catfish ever caught. How does your best blue, channel, flathead and white catfish catches compare? (Photo by Brandon Chadwick), **IGFA recognizes the world white catfish record (19 pounds, 5 ounces, 2005) as being caught in California, but the state's official record (22-0, 1994) is heavier. It's commonly believed that the blue catfish represents the largest North American catfish species. Had the fish been caught on a rod and reel, it would have easily bested the current state record of 109-pounds. The 103-pounder was lucky thirteen. The giant cat measured 61-inches with a 43.75-inch girth. The results showed that blue catfish can easily live to at least 34 years of age. This relatively undersized catfish fills a necessary niche, occupying Atlantic slope tidal streams from New York to Florida, and Gulf Coast drainages in Alabama and Mississippi. In this video, outdoor writer and tackle specialist Shane Beilue breaks down the difference between a rod blank’s action and power and discusses what the various ratings of each mean. Late fall through winter is an excellent time to search for a record blue catfish. (Photo Credit IGFA). The blue catfish caught by Mullenix weighed in at 121.5 Lbs, which was not only a … And yet, few diehard catfish folks would be completely shocked if the next world record flathead surpasses Ken Paulie's current 123-pound monster. Required fields are marked * McClung, Little Kanawha River, 1956, Channel: 44-0, Larry Volenec, Wisconsin River, 1962, Flathead: 74-5, Stan Hagensick, Mississippi River, 3/30/2001, Flathead: 22.46, Dallas Stanton, North Platte River, 4/18/2004. From greenland sharks, to the Mekong Giant Catfish that was bigger than a grizzly bear, these are 11 BIGGEST Fish Ever Caught ! in the world, it was a 646 pound giant, but it was caught in a net, not on a rod & reel. Summer is for loading up on channel cats. Even today, it's not uncommon to hear the expression, which may refer to either species, depending on who you're talking to. On display at the same Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, Texas is a replica of a 122-pound flathead goliath, taken by illegal means from Lake Tyler in 1984. Comments Off on The Biggest Catfish Ever Caught What is the world’s largest catfish, and where was it caught? (Photo courtesy of Maryland DNR), Eric Scordo used a nightcrawler to catch New York's record for channel catfish. Posts about big catfish records are well-liked by readers. (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation image), The Virginia state record blue catfish is also a world record. walleye-pike). But even once anglers overcome the difficult dilemma of how to put a bait into these tricky spots, they're still faced with the nearly impossible task of extracting the fish from tangled cover. Europe – Wels Catfish This species of catfish is native to the central, eastern and southern areas of Europe. Blue catfish. Proper fish care maximizes flavor, texture, and taste come dinnertime. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. It is the largest catfish in North America and the third largest obligate freshwater fish in North America, behind the lake sturgeon and paddlefish. McCary, Snake River, 6/28/1981, White: 19.85, Donald Huffman, Walla Walla River, 4/17/2002, Blue: 59.74, Mark Blauvelt, Ohio River, 2016, Channel: 33.42, Michael Sears, Patterson Creek, 2005, Flathead: 70-0, L.L. Fishing on the Mississippi River near Alton, Illionois Tim Pruitt landed the massive 124-pound cat after a battle lasting nearly 40 minutes a 58 inch long, 44 inch girth blue surfaced. White catfish have between 19 and 23 rays, channels cats between 24 and 30 and blue cats between 30 and 36. More confusion hovers around the 1949 South Dakota state record, a 55-pounder from the James River. Stuck inside? could you imagine the fight that thing would put up though? So, we took a look at the state fishing records (based on weight and traditional methods) listed on official websites of wildlife agencies or other official sources to see where the big cats roam. These secrets will put more and bigger bass in your boat! This walleye recipe is a colorful and delicious way to serve your most recent catch. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. This massive monster is also more than likely the largest freshwater fish that has ever been recorded, making it … OMAHA, Ga. (WTXL) — A Havana, Florida man has set a new record for the largest blue catfish ever caught in Georgia. 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. The reality is, we'll likely never know for sure. (Contributed by Zeb Hogan) (Contributed by Zeb Hogan) the lau-lau and the redtail get to astounding proportions. The largest wels catfish ever recorded, also caught in the Po Delta, was 9.1 feet and weighed 297 pounds. Plan your next fishing and boating adventure here. This, of course, has evolved in recent years and decades, as non-native blue catfish have proliferated many tidal rivers on the Atlantic coast. |   Subscriber Services. All fish caught on rod and reel and released to fight another day. This is not your run-of-the-mill fish recipe! Categories Cute cat Images. There's more structure and good catfish water here that I could fish in a lifetime.". Whaley, Lake Moultrie, 1964, Flathead: 79-6, Danny Aderhold, Cooper River, 2014, White: 12-2.9, Charles Earp, Lake Murray, 2014, Blue: 99-4, Steve Lemmon, Big Sioux River, 7/21/2012, Channel: 55-0, Roy Groves, James River, 5/18/1949, Flathead: 63-8, David Holland, James River, 6/18/2006, Blue: 112-0, Robert Lewis, Lock C, Cumberland River, 6/7/1998, Channel: 41-0, Clint Walters Jr., Fall Creek Falls Lake, 7/30/1982, Flathead: 85-15, Larry Kaylor, Hiwassee River, 7/25/1993, Blue: 121.50, Cody Mullennix, Texoma, 1/16/2004, Channel: 36.5, Mrs. Joe Cockrell, Pedernales River, 3/7/1965, Flathead: 98.5, James Laster, Palestine, 12/2/1998, Channel: 32-8, LeRoy Mortenson, Utah Lake, 1978, *Blue: 143-0, Nick Anderson, Buggs Island Lake, 6/18/2011, Channel: 32-0, Hugh Wyatt, Lake Chesdin, 4/28/1980, Flathead: 66-4, Mike Willems, Occoquan Reservoir, 5/6/1994, White: 7-6, Thomas Elkins, Western Branch Reservoir 3/24/1992, Blue: 17.75, Rangle Hawthorne, Columbia River, 7/9/1975, Channel: 36.2, Ross Kincaid, I-82 Pond #6, 9/6/1999, Flathead: 22.8, C.L. A photograph purportedly showing a 736-pound catch adds to the collection of urban legends about monstrously large catfish. The Mudger family comes from a long line of expert fisherman. Cody Mullenix of Howe Texas caught the fish on January 16th, 2004 which become known as “Splash” while fishing at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge on Lake Texoma. The Arkansas River behemoth was one of the largest freshwater fish ever caught in North America, but it sparked little attention. Simplify breakfast or brunch for a crowd by making this savory venison chorizo quiche recipe. All Rights Reserved. The fish can live to 20 years. On the pages of a tattered old book titled Steamboating: Sixty-Five Years on Missouri's Rivers, author William Heckman describes several well-documented accounts of truly colossal North American catfish: "Of interest to fishermen is the fact that the largest known fish ever caught in the Missouri River was taken just below Portland, Missouri. World blue cat records are toppling at a rapid rate; the current benchmark was set by Nick Anderson's 143-pounder from Virginia's Buggs Island Reservoir in 2011. This giant cat surprised crappie angler James Laster, while fishing Lake Palestine in December 1998. (Arizona Game & Fish photo), Charles Patchen caught the Florida state record flathead in 2016. Advertisement. (Photo by Dallas Weston; courtesy Virginia DGIF), Wyoming's record channel cat was caught in 2017. Well, almost; Alaska doesn't have catfish listed among their state fishing records. While large white cats are rare, this 12-pound 9-ounce fish broke South Carolina's state record, caught from Lake Murray in June 2014. Was a 736-Pound Catfish Caught in the Mississippi River? It’s supposedly the world’s largest catfish, caught last week in Italy. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. Channel (tie): 41-8, John Cunning, Merritt Reservoir, 7/26/1985; Heather Cunning, Merritt Reservoir, 8/11/1986. The fish King calls lucky number 13 was a 103-pounder that helped him capture first-place at the 2007 Bass Pro Shops Big Cat Quest on the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tennessee. This one simple trick will trigger more bass strikes on a jerkbait during the fall months. The article also notes: "Later Groves caught a 19 and a 55 pounder," but makes no mention that the latter may have been a channel catfish. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Tim Trone from Havana, Florida reeled in the new Georgia state record for a blue catfish when he hooked onto a 110lb 6oz, 58″ long, and 42″ girth of a monster catfish. While no one particularly doubts the fish's amazing dimensions — verified by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks — the legitimacy of the catch itself has occasionally been called in to question, due to the light tackle used to apparently land the monster while Paulie was crappie fishing. … Chances are it was this critter. For this was a bygone era when no one worried about world records; when monstrous river dams didn't yet exist; and before large-scale commercial fishing had taken hold. The world’s largest catfish isn’t the whopper that some guy at the bait shop says he caught last week in Minnesota… the biggest catfish ever recorded was caught in Northern Thailand in May, 2005. Biologists used spine sampling to determine that Greg Bernal's 130-pound Missouri River blue cat was a relatively youthful 18 years old. Advertisement. It's commonly believed that the blue catfish represents the largest North American catfish species. Check out these impressive catfish and the most eyebrow-raising world records. The current all-tackle world record, caught in Elk City Reservoir, Kans., in 1998, weighed 123 pounds. 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. Tie on a slip-bobber rig during late summer and load a cooler with suspended channel catfish. As the largest catfish species found in North America, the blue cat has long been a favorite target of freshwater anglers looking for a bullish fight to test their skill and tackle. Whaley from Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina in July of 1964. But there's st… The largest catfish species in North America are blue cats. Extracted from Elk City Reservoir, Kansas in May 1998, Paulie's record cat measured 61-inches with a 43.75-inch girth. It's a challenge worthy of the best catfishers on earth. Our voluminous catfish library of content is one of the biggest, best and most visited on the Internet. The method by which that fish was caught is unclear. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Currently found in Central and Eastern Europe, the wels catfish can grow to extraordinary sizes (over 9 feet) depending on the habitat it … Game & Fish dived into the record books to find the catfish records for every state. Speculation surrounds Groves' record channel, whose straight anal fin appears to resemble a blue cat. Some of the country's best anglers, however — including King — believe a 200 still swims. Although Anderson has remained tight-lipped about his exact location and bait, the fish was allegedly caught below the tree bridges area near Clarksville, Virginia; his world record application reportedly stated "chicken breast.". The In-Fisherman staff reveals some of the hottest action of the winter season, as they show how to ice 20-pound channel catfish. A likely new Pennsylvania record for flathead catfish – a monster weighing 56.3 pounds – was pulled from the Schuylkill River in the Philadelphia area on Sunday night. The fish weighed 58-pounds even, an amazing stat given the glaring lack of documented channel cats that have come even within 20 pounds of this mark in modern times. World record catfish the largest ever caught north american record catfish 10 biggest catfish world records of all time north american record catfish. It may be 125 years old, but the .30-30 Winchester retains its status thanks to modern loads. The largest catfish species in North America are blue cats. OLATHE, Kan. -- An Olathe woman has set the unofficial record for the largest blue catfish caught in a Kansas lake. Experts have stated that a 646 pounder might be the world’s largest freshwater fish ever caught. in africa, they have strange catfish like the suckermouth, but south america is where its at. Was a 736-Pound Catfish Caught in the Mississippi River? We know Game & Fish fans love fishing for catfish — whether it's for trophies and state records, or eaters. What is the biggest catfish ever caught in the Mississippi River? As with blues versus channel cats, differentiating between white, blue and channels can be tricky. What is the biggest catfish caught in the United States? It's conceivable that catfish like this could easily continue growing for another decade or two.". Blue Catfish. A northwest Florida fisherman has broken the record for the biggest flathead catfish ever caught in the state, reeling in a massive flathead that tipped the scales at 69.9 pounds. Moreover, because white cats rarely exceed ten pounds, they garner far less coverage or angling attention than their larger brethren. Categories Cute cat Images. According to the Georgia … The blue catfish is the largest species of catfish in North America and can … Ken Paulie's 123-pound flathead stands as the accepted world record, extracted from Elk City Reservoir, Kansas in May 1998. Giant catfish caught in Mississippi River during Memorial Day fishing tournament. California also boasts the largest white, an impressive 22-pound specimen caught by James Robinson, from William Land Park Pond in early 1994. Referencing Heckman's opening quote, you note use of the term "blue channel catfish." Many folks believe even larger flatheads haunt America's waterways — including scary-size fish below inaccessible dam tailraces. According to the fisherman, Dino Ferrari, the 280-pound fish took nearly an hour to reel in. But the Sayres' flathead didn't qualify for a record, because it wasn't caught on a handheld pole and line. All Rights Reserved. The most widespread of all North American catfish species, the world record channel catfish is in many ways the most surprising of all. Fishing on the Mississippi River near Alton, Illionois Tim Pruitt landed the massive 124-pound cat after a battle lasting nearly 40 minutes a 58 inch long, 44 inch girth blue surfaced. Other than sheer size, the other way to distinguish between a white catfish and a blue is to compare anal fin structure: white cats sport pronounced, rounded fins, while blues' fins appear more straight and squared off in the corners. Here, as in other remote or hard-to-reach locales, flathead cats of immense proportions are known to exist. It you see a mistake or omission, let us know. Man Breaks State Record For Biggest Catfish Ever Caught In Georgia. You be the judge. In the flathead catfish world, there's probably nothing more conventional than fishing with... Give a Gift   Lake Gaston has already produced at least a few fish over 100-pounds, including the 117-pound 8-ounce North Carolina state record, caught by a 15 year old angler in June 2016. Any time a new state record fish is caught, there’s a newsworthy story. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. in north america, it was a 124 pound blue cat by tim pruitt. Even Mark Twain once talked of "a Mississippi catfish that was more than six feet long and weighed 250 pounds.". Interestingly, white and channel catfish grow at similar rates for their first four years, after which, channel cats experience relatively rapid growth. Texas' state record, a 98-pound 8-ounce whopper, comes closest. Whaley from Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina in July of 1964. Length: 58 Inches. Our search included records for blue, channel, flathead and white catfish (sorry, no bullheads) — the four most common targeted species in the U.S. Catch-and-release, length and line class records were not considered. This fish, caught in 1866, was a blue channel cat and weighed 315 pounds. Forgotten (Or Temporarily Overlooked) Muskie Lures, Walleye Baked with Sweet Peppers & Onions Recipe, Selecting a Bumping Rod and Reel for Catfish, Cutbait Connections to Early-Season Flatheads, Hobie MirageDrive 360 Kayak Propulsion: Amazing Control and Power, The True Story of the Bass Boat Hero Who Broke the Internet. 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, Indiana and Kentucky share the same record for blue catfish (104-0), Blue: 120-4, John Paul Nichols, Holt Reservoir, 3/9/2012, Channel: 40-0, Donald R. Cox, Inland Lake, 6/17/1967, Flathead: 80-0, Rick Conner, Alabama River, 6/22/1986, White: 10-5, Roy Britton, Chambers Co. Public Lake, 4/3/1981, Flathead: 76-8.64, Eddie Wilcoxson, Bartlett Lake, 4/13/2013, Blue: 116-12, Charles Ashley Jr., Mississippi River, 8/3/2001, Channel: 38-0, Joe Holleman, Lake Ouachita, 6/3/1989, Flathead: 80-0, Wesley White, Arkansas River, 10/28/1989, Blue: 113-5, Steve Oudomsouk, San Vicente Reservoir, 7/24/2008, Channel: 53-8, Randall Gilgert Jr., San Joaquin River, 9/22/2008, Flathead: 72-14, Billy Joe Potter, Colorado River, 4/22/2003, **White: 22-0, James Robinson, Land Park pond, 3/21/1994, Blue: 24-7.7, Charlie Black, Pueblo Reservoir, 2016, Channel: 43-6, Jessica Walton, Aurora Reservoir, 2010, Channel: 29-6, Appleton Barrows, Mashapaug Lake, 2004, White: 12-12, John Shatas, Connecticut River, 1999, Blue: 69.5 pounds, William Stewart III, Choctawhatchee River, 5/30/2015, Channel: 44.5, Joe Purvis, Lake Bluff, 5/19/1985, Flathead: 63.8, Charles Patchen, Chattahoochee River, 5/15/2016, White: 18.88, Jim Miller, Withlacoochee River, 9/21/1991, Blue: 80-4, Earnest Timpson, Lake Walter F. George, 2/2/2010, Channel: 44-12, Bobby Smithwick, Altamaha River, 5/18/1972, Flathead: 83-0 (tie), Carl Sawyer, Altamaha River, 6/22/2006; Jim Dieveney, Altamaha River, 7/11/2010, White: 8-10, James Sanders, Savannah River, 6/10/1996, Channel: 43-13, Dayton Miyamura, Lake Wilson, 3/24/1974, Channel: 31-0, Kenny Decker, Mann Lake, 8/25/2001, Flathead: 58-8, J. Newberry/K.McCormick, Brownlee Reservoir, 8/23/1994, Blue: 124-0, Mississippi River, 5/21/2005, Flathead: 81-6.4, Sangchris Lake, 8/29/2015, Blue: 104-0, Bruce Midkiff, Ohio River, 1999 (also Kentucky record), Channel: 37-8, Randy Jones, Vanderburgh County, 1980, Flathead: 79-8, Glen Simpson, White River, 1966, White: 9.72, Melissa Grimes, Wabash County pond, 1985, Blue: 101-0, Mike Rush, Missouri River, 6/8/2004, Channel: 38-2, Dustin Curtis, Missouri River, 6/11/2005, Flathead: 81-0, Joe Baze, Ellis Lake, 6/7/1958, Blue: 102.8, Robert Stanley, Missouri River, 8/11/2012, Channel: 36.5, Rick Barnow, Mined Land, Cherokee Co., 6/3/2003, *Flathead: 123-0, Ken Paulie, Elk City Reservoir, 5/15/1998, Blue: 104-0, Bruce Midkiff, Ohio River, 1999 (also Indiana record), Channel: 32-0, Kyle Estep, Ohio River, 5/26/2004, Flathead: 97-0, Esker Carroll, Green River, 6/6/1956, White: 5.27, Ethen Vest, Guist Creek Lane, 10/11/2016, Blue: 114-0, Lawson Boyte, Mississippi River, 3/2014, Channel: 30.31, Harold Clubb, Minor's Canal, 8/1977, Flathead: 95-0, Roland Lasseigne, Wax Lake, 7/2007, Channel: 27.92, Steven Trent Abell, Upper Potomac River, 7/5/2004, Channel: 26-8, Dana Dodge, Ashfield Lake, 1989, White: 9-3, Michael Payne, Baddacook Pond, 1987, Flathead: 52-0, Barron Lake (ice fishing), 2014, Channel: 38-0, Mississippi River, 2/16/1975, Blue: 95-0, Dakota Hinson, Mississippi River, 3/16/2009, Channel: 51-12, Tom Edwards, Lake Tom Bailey, 5/31/1997, Flathead: 77.7, Matt Bingham, Mississippi River, 4/21/2012, Blue: 130-0, Greg Bernal, Missouri River, 7/20/2010, Channel: 34-10, Gerald Siebenmorgen, Lake Jacomo, 10/12/1976, Flathead: 77-8, Scott Brown, Montrose Lake, 4/28/2003, Channel: 34.8, Dan Davenport, Fort Peck Reservoir, 7/26/2013, Blue: 100-8, Raynold Promes, Missouri River, 11/29/1970. 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