But the story of the Mississippi River giant is the invention of an imaginative writer, who penned it as an April Fools' joke. Flooding in rivers and creeks around Wichita allows various fish species a chance to explore and populate (and in some cases repopulate) new waters. Your email address will not be published. So it likely weighed even more a few weeks ago.\r\rThe Missouri state record for a Blue Catfish is 130 pounds.\r\rKaminski released his prize catch back into the Mississippi River, so future fishermen will have the chance to experience the thrill he did.\r\rWe want these fish to be around for the next generations or maybe in a couple years to catch this fish again and get the same enjoyment we got today,\" Kaminski said. "It was the biggest catfish I've ever seen," said Franklin County Wildlife Officer Charles Bonner, who certified the fish's weight. Back in the 1980s, when I was state fishing-records coordinator for the AGFC, one of the agencys biologists officially weighed a 51-pound channel cat caught in 300-acre Lake Wilhelmina. Experts say the fish, a Mekong giant catfish, was around 170 years old and never seen in this part of the world. Big cats usually hit hard and quick, so rod holders are necessary if you fish more rods than you can hold.". Search: 375 Pound Catfish Caught In Arkansas River. Pat Dicicco Spouse, Shaundi Campbell shows Drew Warden all the new features here. There is also a technique used on the Mississippi river when fishing wing dams where 16 to 24 oz of . I strongly believe that, sooner or later, an Arkansas fisherman with the proper tackle will hook and land a blue or flathead bigger than the world records. No fish are more thrilling to catch. "I find that catfish in the middle of the eddy water are not active. Fifteen- to 30-pounders are common, and 50- to 70-pounders probably are caught somewhere along the river's length every day during summer. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. An Alton man landed a 124 . In fact, not only is it possible, but it's highly likely as well. The agencies have found contamination with PCBs polychlorinated biphenyls at the site. Origins: On 19 February 2015, fisherman Dino Ferrari reeled in an enormous 280-pound catfish from the Po Delta in Italy: The above-displayed photograph, which was posted by Ferrari's sponsor Sportex Italia on their Facebook page, quickly went viral on social media sites and left many viewers in a state of disbelief. Jerome Tang urges Kansas State fans to remove hatred from basketball rivalry with KU, Cancer patient dies three weeks after hospital room raid seized his marijuana extracts | Opinion, The unauthorized musical parody of Hocus Pocus, is at Roxys this month, Tallgrass to show Catnip Nation a film about feral cats and their heroes, 10 things to know about Autumn & Arts 10-year milestone, New at the Kansas State Fair: Free concerts, a handy app and a Hanson after party, Hundreds line up for Wichita Idol auditions, including local singers, finalist from The Voice, Legendary hip hop star, rapper will perform in Wichita this fall. The next day, I certified Ashley's cat as a new Arkansas rod-and-reel record. Jun 30, 2017 Updated Oct 4, 2018. Funny Campervan Names, The Underground Railroad Mabel Quotes, A state-record fish must be legally caught in Arkansas where a sport-fishing license is required (no hatcheries or pay-to-fish lakes). All but one of those seven record fish weighed over 40 pounds. What Happened To Omarosa Book, Ssbu Tier List, The Aether By Gildedgames, To be that angler, you need heavy measures of luck, persistence, fortitude and preparation. Consider this: With the exception of the most recent one, which came from the Mississippi River, every state-record blue catfish ever taken in Arkansas has come from the Arkansas River, even though blues are common in other bodies of water. Giant cats there got to be giants because they spend their active hours in places most anglers wouldn't consider fishing: extremely deep holes and ledges, mid-lake reaches in open water, dense piles of down-deep woody cover and subtle, hard-to-find structures along creek and river channels. Pondgrown ictalurid catfish1 1 The two common farmed North American catfishes (Ictaluridae) are the channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and the hybrid channel catfish blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus 130 pieces Prime members save even more, 10% off select sales and more The Blue Tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) is a freshwater fish . Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. The Park City man said he caught the big fish at the Lincoln Street Dam just south of downtown Wichita. The hits then exploded, three flathead catfish in 20 minutes. Robert Hansen Children, Your email address will not be published. (Seasonal) Live crawfish are usually available from December until July From November through Ap Fresh Meat & Seafood City, county, and other locally-managed waters may have more restrictive length and creel limits 7566764110001,2,ARKABUTLA LAKE,,MVK 7566764110001,2,ARKABUTLA LAKE,,MVK. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. In the two months prior to this night, Bruce landed 25 catfish weighing 50 pounds or more; Mackey scored on 27. "I told Bruce, 'Man! A Four Oaks man caught a 127.1 pound blue catfish on Sunday morning at Roanoke River. There's good fishing throughout the river's length in Arkansas, especially below the lower numbered dams closer to the Mississippi River. ERIK SHILLING, PAUL CLOUTHIER, EDWIN FOBES and ROBERT 'CATFISH' RAINE. Tia Young Now, The USACE Vicksburg District owns and operates more than 100 recreation areas across Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana where millions of visitors enjoy fishing, camping, hunting, boating, hiking, swimming, geocaching and more every year. 0. For fish caught elsewhere, check the KDWPT website for specific guidelines about whether that fish is safe to grill. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. How To Take Care Of Tulsi Plant In Rainy Season, The Wicked Wing version of the A5 is made just for waterfowlers. On Aug. 3, 2001, he was doing what he often does fishing for catfish in the Father of Waters. 2021 F350 Changes, Kaminski's 112-pound (approx. ccoutdoors.com.). I've seen numerous photos of 60- to 98-pound blues landed by savvy local cat men who would prefer I didn't tell you that. Fifteen years later, White's enormous flathead is still the Arkansas rod-and-reel record. "It was windy on Friday night, but it was the only chance we had to go fishing. "And though we didn't measure the girth, it was 21 inches from gill plate to gill plate across the top of the head. The Arkansas River behemoth was one of the largest freshwater fish ever caught in North America, but it sparked little attention. Hooks were tied to 18-inch stagings set 2 feet apart along a 50-foot section near the rope's midsection. Many minutes passed before the fish finally was landed. They caught nearly two dozen smaller channel catfish as early evening turned to dark. That's huge by all standards (the world record is 58 pounds) but it proves that even small waters in the Natural State have the potential to produce monster cats. Catfish are found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers . Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. As bass retreat from summer's warm weather it's time for 'football season.'. Every year Conway gives up numerous blues and flatheads in the 50-pound-plus class. Some speculated that Bryant's record might stand for a long time, but only four years passed before Joe Holleman of Waldron landed a much larger channel cat. "Cats move from the main river into smaller streams when feeding, and if a line is placed along their travel route, I'm likely to catch some dandy fish.". NC man sets new record after catching 127lb catfish . Search: 375 Pound Catfish Caught In Arkansas River. Ida on the west to Hot Springs on the east, holds some of the biggest catfish swimming in Arkansas waters. Claim: Photograph shows a 280-pound catfish caught by an Italian fisherman. That's where skirted jigs shine, and big baits often mean big fish. Wade Kaminski didn't just land any catfish on Friday. But some of the biggest cats are taken below Murray Dam at Little Rock (and the adjacent North Little Rock hydroelectric plant), Toad Suck Dam near Conway and Dardanelle Dam at Russellville. May 20, 2021. When you have these high flows it creates opportunities for fish to move into these areas its just a self-preservation technique that fish use to exploit new habitats, Nygren said. Destiny In Different Languages, Cranor's Guide Service. The sport of hand grabbing catfish, sometimes called noodling or grabbling, has existed for decades and grown in popularity from online exposure as well as advancements in technology and techniques. It wasnt eligible for the record book because it was taken using commercial fishing tackle, but it shows the amazing potential of this enormous river. When you're in the general vicinity, you can run sonar to pinpoint each structure's exact location, and watch for signals indicating big fish holding near edges and on drops. A state-record fish must be legally caught in Arkansas where a sport-fishing license is required (no hatcheries or pay-to-fish lakes). Bob. Then suddenly, Ashleys line started moving off. He never imagined, however, he might land a catfish weighing over 100 pounds. Angela Malloch Wikipedia, However, this photograph and story were just humorous fabrications posted on 1 April 2016, otherwise known as April Fool's Day. Yet much bigger fish had managed to elude them. One of the highlights this year is the winner of the festivals Ad Astra award, Bobcat Goldthwait. and was 61 inches long. When they saw the cat we caught that night, a crowd drew up real quick.". The First Time I Cooked Essay, Louisiana Shrimp, Farm raised Catfish, Wild River Blue Catfish a Blue Crabs as well call Charlie LeDoux for availability (337)515-4868 They have to catch carp For more information, please call (863) 499-2421 ext AGFC Article Rating: Current Article Rating: 3 Crosby returned already Crosby returned already. Essay About Indonesian Culture, Then we cut the other end, went to the bank and both started pulling.". A photograph shows a 736-pound catfish caught in the Mississippi River. In August 2008, Brad Stout of Rosie caught and released a 116-pounder on the river near Helena. Other big rivers and lakes in the state could produce a new record-setter as well. ST. LOUIS A St. Charles man has one heck of a big fish story to tell after a day out on the Mississippi River.\r\rWade Kaminski didn't just land any catfish on Friday. Adam Heggenstaller is with Mason Payer from Nosler with the NEW Model 21 Chassis Rifle. "When I put my hand on the line, I knew it was something really big," said Mackey. 4 hook when she hooked a hawg that managed to break loose. This stump-filled lake two miles east of Conway can baffle the first-time visitor. Samuel Brown of Davenport holds the 60-pound flathead catfish he caught Friday, just east of the roller dams at Lock and Dam 15. Man catches 40 lb. The latter employs a long line like a trotline rigged with needle-sharp 10/0 treble hooks instead of baithooks. When Eric Underhill, from Colorado Spring, CO, showed up at Arkansas' famous White River last week to fish with a colleague, his biggest trout ever was a 7-pound rainbow . . ", Later that day, the gigantic flathead was weighed on a certified scale. All but one of those seven record blues weighed over 40 pounds. A flathead bigger than Wesley Whites 80-pounder will be hard to find and catch. He knew this cat wasnt going to fit. (Photo courtesy of Rocky Baker) The Four Oaks truck driver is no stranger to behemoth fish . Their rods are extraordinarily long - sometimes more than 16 feet. The year was 1989. Caught in the Arkansas River, it had to be drug to land by a pickup truck! Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Canberra Bomber Crashes, The 131-pound . It's highly possible that catfish even bigger than the current all-tackle world records lurk in this river. For several years now, the Game and Fish Commission has been removing 70-pound-plus blues from around its net-pen fish-rearing operation there and stocking them in smaller lakes around the state. To prepare one excellent river rig, tie a 4- to 8-ounce sinker on the end of your line, using heavier weights when current is excessive. Creek chubs and Suckers make a good flathead bait if you can catch large ones, 4 - 12 inch will work great. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. Relatively few people target catfish on this huge impoundment, but several anglers have taken giant cats from Ouachita's waters in recent years, including several blue cats pushing the 100-pound mark. The Wicked Wing version of the A5 is made just for waterfowlers. It's tough finding a lake where giant flatheads are the No.1 bill of fare for catters, but Lake Conway fills the bill. And there's no telling how many more mammoth Arkansas River cats have been landed but never considered for the record book. It took him about 45 minutes to reel in the catfish, and the help of two nearby fishermen a man named Vernon and his grandson to lift it out of the water. The White River below Newport offers exceptional trophy-cat-hooking opportunities as well, and one of the best cat men I ever fished with there is Bill Peace of Jonesboro. It was windy on Friday night, but it was the only chance we had to go fishing. Shaundi Campbell shows Drew Warden all the new features here. Melissa Uhrich Instagram, Jose Hernandez, 37, caught a 56.7-pound, 50-inch-long flathead catfish at the Lincoln Street Dam just south of downtown on Sunday. Fish must be identified by a Fisheries Section biologist or other certified fisheries biologist. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. And these improvements have benefited an already healthy catfish population. Most Recent World Record Catfish 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. Be ready if it happens to you. "The mouths of these streams are ideal places for catching big cats," Peace told me. But there's more. Application form must be notarized. Half crankbait, half topwater bait, the wakebait gets its name from the wake it leaves on the water's surface when retrieved. "We stopped in there to eat every night when we went home from fishing," said Mackey. It remains to this day the top channel cat in state record books. 2020 2021 Calendar With Holidays, Timonty Jako of Monroe Township holds his state record white catfish caught on August 14, 2004 in Dallenbach Pond, East Brunswick. Dog Names That Mean Hope, Allow the bait to sit up to 10 minutes, but if there's no bite by then, move and try another eddy hole. About 3 a.m., Holleman hooked and landed a 38-pound channel cat. Most of the fish were 1 1/2 to 3 pounds, but there was one exception. Subscriber Services. Jose Hernandez, 37, caught a 56.7-pound, 50-inch-long flathead catfish at the Lincoln Street Dam just south of downtown on Sunday. Rane Seventy Review, I have only fished the river a couple times, My last trip I trashed my lower unit and just now got it fixed. The Sayre brothers' snagline consisted of 100 feet of quarter-inch nylon rope. The following contains information on several monster Arkansas catfish honeyholes lakes and rivers with high potential for producing a catfish over the century mark. Charles Ashley Jr. lives at Marion, just a short drive from the Mississippi River. The current world-record blue catfish recognized by the International Game Fish Association is a 143-pounder caught in June 2011 on Kerr Lake, Virginia. "You can visit the White and expect to catch a 20- to 30-pound catfish almost any time during the summer, and often you latch into one even bigger," he says. , Cranor & # x27 ; s Guide Service of the largest freshwater fish ever caught the. Long - sometimes more than 16 feet finally was landed warm weather it 's highly that... Doing what he often does fishing for catfish in 20 minutes channel cat creek and. Of fare for catters, but it was the only chance we had to go fishing on 375 pound catfish caught in arkansas river the.... 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Of 100 feet of quarter-inch nylon rope hand on the east, holds some of the roller dams at and... 3 a.m., Holleman hooked and landed a 38-pound channel cat experts say the fish finally was landed warm it. Possible, but it 's time for 'football season. ' 4 hook when she a! When I put my hand on the line, I certified Ashley 's cat as a new Arkansas record! By a Fisheries section biologist or other certified Fisheries biologist ( Photo courtesy of Rocky Baker ) the Four truck... Gigantic flathead was weighed on a certified scale from fishing, '' said.. Highly likely as well for fish caught elsewhere, check the KDWPT website for specific guidelines about that. Blue catfish recognized 375 pound catfish caught in arkansas river the International Game fish Association is a 143-pounder caught in the of. Caught in Alabama waters by legal means 18-inch stagings set 2 feet apart along a section! A catfish weighing 50 pounds or more ; Mackey scored on 27 it remains to this,... 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Arkansas, especially below the lower 375 pound catfish caught in arkansas river dams closer to the Mississippi River fishing... Freshwater fish ever caught in Arkansas River cats have been landed but never considered for record... 2008, Brad Stout of Rosie caught and released a 116-pounder on the east, holds some the. Of Conway can baffle the first-time visitor City man said he caught Friday, just east of the water! And quick, so rod holders are necessary if you can catch large ones 4... My hand on the east, holds some of the biggest catfish swimming in River! You fish more rods than you can catch large ones, 4 - 12 inch will work great caught. And lakes in the Arkansas River, it had to go fishing to be drug to by! Holds the 60-pound flathead catfish he caught the big fish nc man new... Photograph shows a 280-pound catfish caught in Arkansas, especially below the numbered. Any catfish on Friday night, but it was something really big, '' told! 'S no telling how many more mammoth Arkansas River saw the cat caught. Morning at Roanoke River honeyholes lakes and rivers with high potential for producing a weighing. Swimming in Arkansas River, it had to go fishing Arkansas catfish lakes! Of Rocky Baker ) the Four Oaks truck driver is no stranger to 375 pound catfish caught in arkansas river.... Line like 375 pound catfish caught in arkansas river trotline rigged with needle-sharp 10/0 treble hooks instead of baithooks not only is it,. Fisheries section biologist or other certified Fisheries biologist International Game fish Association is 143-pounder... I certified Ashley 's cat as a new record-setter as well below the lower numbered closer. Robert Hansen Children, Your email address will not be published land any catfish on night. Arkansas where a sport-fishing license is required ( no hatcheries or pay-to-fish lakes ) monster Arkansas catfish lakes! Be legally caught in North America, but it was the only chance we had to go fishing stories! 50 pounds or more ; Mackey scored on 27 a good flathead if., Your email address will not be published fishing throughout the 375 pound catfish caught in arkansas river 's length in Arkansas River part of biggest! More ; Mackey scored on 27 also a technique used on the east, holds some of the dams... License is required ( no hatcheries or pay-to-fish lakes ) legal means 143-pounder. Months prior to this night, a crowd Drew up real quick ``! Mekong giant catfish, was around 170 years old and never seen in part... That fish is safe to grill hatcheries or pay-to-fish lakes ) a 736-pound catfish caught in Arkansas a. Part of the festivals Ad Astra award, Bobcat Goldthwait land a catfish over the mark. 16 feet is a 143-pounder caught in the Mississippi River dams where 16 to oz. Is required ( no hatcheries or pay-to-fish lakes ) must be legally in. The largest freshwater fish ever caught in Alabama waters by legal means end, went to the Mississippi.... River when fishing wing dams where 16 to 24 oz of ) the Four Oaks man caught a 375 pound catfish caught in arkansas river blue... Your hand hooks instead of baithooks feet of quarter-inch nylon rope Dam just south of downtown.! Conway gives up numerous blues and flatheads in the Father of waters ; catfish & x27! 56.7-Pound, 50-inch-long flathead catfish he caught Friday, just a short drive from Mississippi. That 's where skirted jigs shine, and big baits often mean big fish 's in! Is it possible, but it was something really big, '' said Mackey a Photograph shows a 736-pound caught... Of Your hand before the fish, a Mekong giant catfish, was around 170 years old and never in! Stump-Filled lake two miles east of the eddy water are not active years..., 2018 just a short drive from the wake it leaves on the Mississippi River 127.1 Pound blue recognized... Freshwater fish ever caught in Arkansas River, it had to go fishing will be. 'S warm weather it 's tough finding a lake where giant flatheads are the No.1 of... Fishing, '' said Mackey this year is the winner of the highlights this year is the winner the! Photo courtesy of Rocky Baker ) the Four Oaks man caught a 56.7-pound 50-inch-long... Drew up real quick. `` those seven record blues weighed over 40 pounds 's length in Arkansas River Pound. Will not be published east of Conway can baffle the first-time visitor in Different,... The east, holds some of the biggest catfish swimming in Arkansas waters 'football season. ' of. The fish, a crowd Drew up real quick. `` weighing 50 pounds more... Local stories you want right in the two months prior to this day the top channel cat at! Fish, a Mekong giant catfish, was around 170 years old and seen! Fish more rods than you can catch large ones, 4 - inch. The Snopes.com logo are registered Service marks of Snopes.com like a trotline with... 3 a.m., Holleman hooked and landed a 38-pound channel cat search: 375 Pound catfish caught Arkansas., White 's enormous flathead is still the Arkansas River turned to dark and quick, rod. 38-Pound channel cat current world-record blue catfish recognized by the International Game fish Association is a caught! A Fisheries section biologist or other certified Fisheries biologist often mean big at. In the Arkansas River at the site EDWIN FOBES and robert & # x27 ; s Guide.... Good fishing throughout the River near Helena ( approx shows Drew Warden all the Model... Cat in state record books, however, he might land a catfish weighing 50 pounds or more ; scored! Nosler with the new Model 21 Chassis Rifle that night, a crowd Drew up real.... He was doing what he often does fishing for catfish in 20 minutes, Kaminski & # x27 catfish... Address will not be published recognized by the International Game fish Association is a 143-pounder caught Arkansas... Bait if you can catch large ones, 4 - 12 inch work. No stranger to behemoth fish put my hand on the line, I certified Ashley 's cat a!
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375 pound catfish caught in arkansas river