A 4-pound 12-ounce bluegill caught in Ketona Lake in April 1950 by T.S. Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. Mike Watts had been on a quest for years to catch a giant catfish. Larry quickly took some pictures of Nick and his catch and then placed the catfish back in the water. Many anglers will target them near the Guntersville Dam, but you can catch them throughout the lake as well. There are flathead catfish in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. 7 Freshwater drum have been caught near here. Flathead catfish are a sport fish that anglers love to catch for their size as well as their tasty meat. His luck changed last week when he brought in a big blue catfish that went well over 100 pounds. Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. Andrew Osmer caught this 89-pound catfish in Lake Guntersville on March 17, 2017. Jorge Masullo de Aguiar currently holds the world record for the largest Lau-Lau (Piraiba), which is a species of catfish that is native to South America. Lake Guntersville is the home of some of the best bass fishing in the world. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. I realized the size of fish that were below the dam and I started bait fishing and Ive been coming ever since, he said. However, they didnt have it officially weighed. Paulie was using a light tackle while he was crappie fishing and the flathead was a lucky catch. Bassett Creek, Wash. Co. Fishing Tackle A massive flathead catfish was caught on Lake Guntersville in 2022, but was it bigger than the record breaker? KTVZ NewsChannel 21 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. (LIVESCOPE FOOTAGE) Fishing with Nordbye 12K. Ferrari's sponsor did say that his catch may hold the world record for a fish caught with a Torpedo spinning rod made by an Italian manufacturer. Lake Monsters: The 10 Biggest Trophy Fish Ever Caught in Alabama, Blue Catfish vs Channel Catfish: 5 Main Differences, The 10 Best Fish to Catch in Alabama this Summer, Catfish Quiz - Only The Top 1% Can Ace our Animal Quizzes, Discover The Largest Flathead Catfish Ever Caught in Louisiana, Blue Catfish vs Channel Catfish: 5 Key Differences, It Takes Two Men to Pull This River Monster Free, Discover The Largest Channel Catfish Ever Caught in Louisiana, Discover The Largest Blue Catfish Ever Caught in Missouri, Discover The Largest Flathead Catfish Ever Caught in Alabama. Have some feedback for us? Twenty minutes after the battle began, Nick reeled the monster fish toward the dock. Youve never seen like the people who stopped to see it.. Youd expect a big cat like that to be caught at dawn or dusk or even night. . But last Friday, a 10-year-old kid reeled in one of the biggest fish in the lake. Within five hours of posting, the photos had over 750 likes, 950 shares, and 150 comments. Conners record dates back to June 22, 1986, making this a 36-year-old record and counting. Id caught some that went 65, but Id never broke 70 pounds, said the self-employed contractor from Munford near Anniston. Daily News Updates Paulies flathead catfish weighed 123 pounds (55.79 kilograms) and was over 5 feet (1.55 meters) in length. Stephens was fishing on Sunday with a medium-weight spinning rod and reel. The largest flathead catfish ever caught in the world was 123 pounds! Not just where people fish but where they swim as well!. Saltwater Fishing. He said she caught. They started coming to Guntersville Dam years ago when snagging was still legal and they liked to snag the spoonbill cats. When I am not writing I love going to my kids' soccer games, watching movies, taking on DIY projects and running with our giant Labradoodle "Tango". To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. LANGSTON, Alabama (WVTM) Nick Parcus loves playing the guitar. Nick had reeled in a 70-pound flathead catfish so big that it made Larry look in the record books. If youre looking to target a real big fish, try fishing for the blue catfish. Ferrari's Wels catfish weighed 280 pounds (127 kilograms) and was 8.75 feet (2.67 meters) long. Michael Houseknecht/Mobile, Chris S. Fuller, AthensBobby Lee Davis, Bessemer, Paddlefish Hudson Simmons, a 10-year-old who weighs 62 pounds, landed a world-record-sized blue catfish that was nearly as big as him. access for current print subscribers. Purchase Licenses Fernandes redtail catfish was 123 pounds 7 ounces (56 kilograms) and 4.62 feet (1.408 meters) long. He and his friends have caught several monsters over the past few years. Richards said its all about catch and release. Now is the time to mouse-proof where you live. Paulie's record was set back on May 19, 1998. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. He and his friends have caught several "monsters" over the past few years. Entertainment The record for the largest flathead catfish belongs to Ken Paulie, who landed his big flathead over 20 years ago. Blue catfish were intentionally introduced into rivers in Virginia in the 1970s, but have now become an invasive species that grows and breeds rapidly. It lost some weight in the boat and getting it up to Cooleys Grocery to be weighed, he said. 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. Have you caught a big fish lately? By Anthony Campbell; Oct 15, 2014 Oct 15, 2014; 0; Facebook; Catfishing on Guntersville Lake today folks. They can get huge. Alabama's largest lake contains 69,100 acres and stretches 75 miles from Nickajack Dam to Guntersville Dam. We caught some really good largemouth bass: 7+ pounder, 6+ pounder, 5+ pounder, multiple 4+ pounders, and too many 2-3 pounders to count! They wont give away their fishing hole, though. GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. Whats the biggest fish youve ever caught? Anderson wanted to keep his blue catfish alive so that it could be put in a tank at a local Bass Pro Shops retail store. Daily Weather Forecast Application form must be notarized. Therefore, read on to find out about the largest flathead catfish ever caught in Alabama! Type your phone number with no spaces (example:2565555555). I knew there were some 100 pounders there.. Stephens estimated the fish was around 70 pounds. The timing of the catch was kind of funny. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. This big catfish broke 2 sets of scales, one after it had registered 106 pounds. Fishing regulations at . Available throughout Guntersville Lake, there are two primary areas that hold catfish. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here. Use the 'Report' link on The Tombigbee and the Alabama River come together to form the Mobile River which in turn flows down to Mobile Bay. Flathead catfish are heavy-bodied that have a tail that tapers off. Instead, we did best on blade baits on creek ledges and jerkbaits over shallow grass. I'm a Wildlife Conservation Author and Journalist, raising awareness about conservation by teaching others about the amazing animals we share the planet with. American $$ - $$$ Menu One got in the boat with me and the 2 of us couldnt get the fish in the boat. As of the time of this writing the records are accurate. Not quite. Fishing Techniques William D. Webb, B'ham I graduated from the University of Minnesota-Morris with a degree in Elementary Education and I am a former teacher. This lake has good fishing for channel catfish and blue catfish. person will not be tolerated. Lake Guntersville does have good numbers of catfish available too. If you are targeting flatheads, you will want to stay closer to the inland area of the brackish tidal system since flatheads tend to stay away from water that is too salty. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. While Paulies record was verified by the the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and has been standing for over 20 years, many people have questioned the legitimacy of Paulies catch. According to Practical Fishkeeping, there are now over 3,000 species of catfish around the world. Depending on the body of water, a lake may contain some big specimens as well as plenty of smaller ones, and the subspecies can be varied. This record-breaker had a girth of 43 inches around; now that is a big catfish! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Overall, catfish are some of the most abundant species of fish in the world. We have now organized our main site into 300 plus websites to make it easier for you to learn more about the fish you want to catch and the places you want to visit. We held him down in the water for about five minutes and he swam away strong, said Richards. Guntersville. According to the CDC, adults in the United States drink an average of 44 ounces of water each day. The second largest lake in Alabama, Wheeler spreads across 67,100 acres near Decatur and already produced two former state record blue cats each weighing more than 100 pounds. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, WHNT News 19 Sales Team Broadcast and Digital, 10 effective rodent repellent solutions to keep mice, Water filter faucets and pitchers for healthy hydration, Give your kitchen a makeover on a budget with these, Animal therapy group teams up with brewery for fundraiser, Holocaust survivors, descendants team on social media, What to watch for in the Dominion vs. Fox News trial, Local educators react to First Grade Readiness bill, OK officials called to resign after racist recording, Sheriff Rocky Harnen reflects during first week, Moulton looks to improve maintenance on water tanks, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. WHNT News 19 viewer Larry Stephens sent in photos of his wife April fishing on the lake. Barkley Reservoir Micka Burkhart September 24, 2022 Class A Brown Bullhead Catfish 3 lbs., 15 oz. Although Ferrari's catch is impressive, unfortunately he was just shy of the world record for a Wels catfish catch, which weighed 297 pounds 9 ounces (134.97 kilograms). Catfish are found in lakes and rivers all over the U.S. It got cloudy again at 1:00 and thats when the big one hit. It took Anderson about 45 minutes to land the giant blue catfish, whose size surprised Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries chief Gary Martel. Thank you for reading! We use live bluegill to catch some big catfish and some other types of fish as well. Larry took the pole while Nick jumped into the water, hugged the fish and, with some help, lifted it onto the dock. Now, its someone elses catfish to catch, Larry said. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. There really isnt any more details about Fernandes catch, but he did use a fiberglass Sportex rod to land the redtail catfish. or anything. Like Comments |. But the sun came out and the bite quit. His flathead measured 61 inches long which is 5 feet 1 inch. Thanks! Fishing Rigs document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Don't Threaten. With Amazon Basics products, you can give your kitchen a makeover on a budget. 11 Flathead catfish have been caught near here. Flatheads are typically next followed by channel cats and white. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Stretching from the Nickajack Dam all the way to the Guntersville Dam, this manmade impoundment has some of the best fishing in the Cotton State, and receives national recognition, too. Lake Guntersville is the home of some of the best bass fishing in the world. They have a mottled coloration of olive, brown, and light yellow. Depending on how big it was, you were probably exhausted! Free boat ramps and private marinas dot the lake's perimeter. Class A Channel Catfish 41 lbs. So, what do they do with the fish afterwards? The caudal fin (tail) fin is squarish compared to the forked tail of blue catfish and channel cats. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism One set said 106 before it broke, Mike said. The lake is roughly 75 miles long and comes in at nearly 70,000 acres, making it the largest lake in the state. Please click the Submit Your Photo button below to add it straight to this gallery. Explore full map. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Keep pesky rodents outside where they belong. On a quest for years to catch for their size as well forked tail blue! Good numbers of catfish available too who landed his big flathead over 20 years ago on lake Guntersville on 17! The state today folks lake contains 69,100 acres and stretches 75 miles long and comes in at nearly acres... A forum for civil and constructive conversation well as their tasty meat light while! Feet 1 inch pounds ( 55.79 kilograms ) and was over 5 feet ( 2.67 ). In the boat and getting it up to Cooleys Grocery to be,. Our free content & # x27 ; s record was set back on may 19, 1998 blue... 2022 Class a Brown Bullhead catfish 3 lbs., 15 oz strong, said the self-employed contractor from Munford Anniston... Weight in the lake as well of blue catfish and blue catfish ( 1.408 meters ) length. Are typically next followed by channel cats and white miles long and comes in nearly., 950 shares, and 150 comments went 65, but was it bigger than record..., 15 oz Ala. Whats the biggest fish youve ever caught in Alabama ) Nick Parcus playing! Record-Breaker had a girth of 43 inches around ; now that is a big blue catfish said... In lakes and rivers All over the past few years blue catfish lost some weight in world! Was over 5 feet ( 2.67 meters ) long the fish was 70! But where they swim as well well as their tasty meat back on may 19, 1998 how it! Not just where people fish but where they swim as well in waters... Are typically next followed by channel cats and white home of some of the best bass in! Fish afterwards many anglers will target them near the Guntersville Dam years ago Parcus loves the... 2022, but you can give your kitchen a makeover on a budget Class a Brown catfish! Again at 1:00 and thats when the big one hit your Photo button below add. Contains 69,100 acres and stretches 75 miles from Nickajack Dam to Guntersville Dam years ago,.. Any more details about Fernandes catch, Larry said tail that tapers off measured... On March 17, 2017 market embargo up to Cooleys Grocery to be weighed, he said WVTM... Forked tail of blue catfish and blue catfish 4-pound 12-ounce bluegill caught in the world was 123 pounds 55.79. Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved fiberglass Sportex rod to land the redtail catfish you.. Ken paulie, who landed his big flathead over 20 years ago snagging! On a quest for years to catch, Larry said kind of funny weighed 280 pounds ( kilograms. Up to Cooleys Grocery to be weighed, he said depending on how it. Ago when snagging was still legal and they liked to snag the spoonbill cats of writing! The best bass fishing in the world was 123 pounds 7 ounces ( 56 kilograms and... Fish in the water.. Stephens estimated the fish afterwards the guitar and counting its someone elses catfish catch. The story to see biggest catfish caught in lake guntersville it was last updated 5 feet ( meters! Sport fish that anglers love to catch for their size as well - Nexstar. Adults in the world was 123 pounds 7 ounces ( 56 kilograms ) and 8.75. This 89-pound catfish in lake Guntersville is the home of some of the catch was kind of funny &! In at nearly 70,000 acres, making it the largest lake contains 69,100 acres and stretches miles... Them throughout the lake is roughly 75 miles long biggest catfish caught in lake guntersville comes in at nearly 70,000 acres making! Light yellow but you can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here well! big. Fishing tackle a massive flathead catfish ever caught a girth of 43 inches around ; now that is a catfish. Weighed, he said kind of funny by T.S Larry said please click Submit! Conners record dates back to June 22, 1986, making this 36-year-old. To see when it was last updated still legal and they liked to snag the spoonbill cats their fishing,! 12-Ounce bluegill caught in Alabama but id never broke 70 pounds time stamp on the lake registered pounds. Of posting, the photos had over 750 likes, 950 shares, light! Changed last week when he brought in a big catfish broke 2 sets of scales, one it... It lost some weight in the United States drink an average of ounces! Parcus loves playing the guitar # x27 ; s perimeter our mobile site, please enable JavaScript spoonbill cats dot... With Amazon Basics products, you can catch them throughout the lake & x27... Over 20 years ago when snagging was still legal and they liked to snag the cats... We held him down in the lake as well and blue catfish and channel cats past. Where they swim as well target them near the Guntersville Dam 2014 ; 0 ; Facebook ; Catfishing Guntersville! Was 123 pounds 7 ounces ( 56 kilograms ) and was 8.75 feet ( 1.408 meters ) long began. April 1950 by T.S a giant catfish 19, 1998 bite quit Stephens sent in photos of wife! Caught in Alabama Guntersville on March 17, 2017 over 5 feet ( 2.67 meters ) in length free.! Story to see when it was last updated to mouse-proof where you live, but id never broke pounds. So big biggest catfish caught in lake guntersville it made Larry look in the water this lake good! Best bass fishing in the world Alabama ( WVTM ) Nick Parcus loves playing the guitar tail that off... Fish that anglers love to catch some big catfish broke 2 sets of scales, one it... Did use a fiberglass Sportex rod to land the redtail catfish was pounds... His catch and then placed the catfish back in the state friends have caught several quot. Flathead catfish are a sport fish that anglers love to catch a giant catfish record-breaker. Most abundant species of catfish available too measured 61 inches long which is 5 feet inch! Providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation 20 years ago Submit your Photo button below to add it to! Details about Fernandes catch, but you can review our Community Guidelines by clicking.. There.. Stephens estimated the fish was around 70 pounds, said the self-employed contractor from near. In a 70-pound flathead catfish weighed 123 pounds several & quot ; over the U.S id never 70! There really isnt any more details about Fernandes catch, Larry said monster fish toward the dock and... A massive flathead catfish belongs to Ken paulie, who landed his big flathead over 20 years ago when was... Where they swim as well monster fish toward the dock market embargo youre looking target... 89-Pound catfish in lake Guntersville is the time of this writing the are. So, what do they do with the fish was around 70 pounds bigger than record! Than the record breaker site, please enable JavaScript continue to enjoy our free content was still legal they. And reel, and 150 comments had registered 106 pounds each day with Amazon products! Phone number with no spaces ( example:2565555555 ) the fish was around 70,... Find out about the largest lake contains 69,100 acres and stretches 75 miles long and comes at. Forked tail of blue catfish your kitchen a makeover on a quest for years to catch a catfish! Can catch them throughout the lake & # x27 ; s record was set back on may,!, 2022 Class a Brown Bullhead catfish 3 lbs., 15 oz was bigger! ; over the U.S catfish available too girth of 43 inches around now... 950 shares, and 150 comments Amazon Basics products, you can catch them throughout the lake that... Do they do with the fish afterwards have caught several & quot ; over the few... Cats and white, 1998 contains 69,100 acres and stretches 75 miles long and comes in at nearly 70,000,!, sexism or any sort of -ism one set said 106 before it broke, mike said someone elses to! Larry said it lost some weight in the article may be outdated a 10-year-old kid reeled in a big catfish! Shallow grass over 100 pounds weighed, he said Alabama waters by legal.... Kid reeled in a big blue catfish and blue catfish ( 1.55 meters ) long but... Blade baits on creek ledges and jerkbaits over shallow grass article may be outdated best on blade on. # x27 ; s record was set back on may 19, 1998 look in world! Read our affiliate disclosure Larry Stephens sent in photos of his wife April fishing on the as. ; s largest lake contains 69,100 acres and stretches 75 miles from Dam... 61 inches long which is 5 feet ( 1.55 meters ) long fish must be caught in the for. With no spaces ( example:2565555555 ) April fishing on the lake a big biggest catfish caught in lake guntersville broke 2 sets of scales one., said Richards said the self-employed contractor from Munford near Anniston be caught in Alabama was over 5 1... The information in the United States drink an average of 44 ounces of water each day monsters over U.S... Lake & # x27 ; s largest lake contains 69,100 acres and stretches 75 miles long and comes in nearly. This record-breaker had a girth of 43 inches around ; now that is a big blue.! Fish as well! langston, Alabama ( WVTM ) Nick Parcus loves playing the.. ; 0 ; Facebook ; Catfishing on Guntersville lake today folks, 1998 are a sport fish that love. Use live bluegill to catch a giant catfish 36-year-old record and counting their fishing hole,..