Here are the stories of some of those fish. As most catfish anglers know, blue cats, channel cats and flatheads will eat darn near... New for 2021, the 4MM AXIS will offer bowhunters even more of what they want in a... A new long-range hunting contender enters the fray. On Oct. 29, 1989, Wesley White of Hartford and Walter Bennett of Hackett joined the other fishermen in the tailwater below Ozark Lake. Drift-fishing with chicken liver, he and his relatives caught 11 catfish despite swirling winds that tossed their boat. The young men sought fatherly advice on how to catch the giant catfish. Was a 736-Pound Catfish Caught in the Mississippi River? "I had caught big flatheads on trotlines before, and I was sure we had a big fish. A state-record fish must be legally caught in Arkansas where a sport-fishing license is required (no hatcheries or pay-to-fish lakes). "The line is stretched tight between two anchor points," said Mackey. "It was the biggest catfish I've ever seen," said Franklin County Wildlife Officer Charles Bonner, who certified the fish's weight. Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center, Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center, Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center, J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center, Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation Action Plan | 2020-2025, Arkansas National Archery in the Schools Program, Disability, Mobility-impaired, 65+, Military Retiree, Lifetime Licenses, Approved Meeting Agendas and Signed Minute Orders. "When I first saw the fish, I knew it went over 100 pounds," Mackey states. Ashley finally wore the monster catfish down, pulled it alongside the boat and wrestled it in. It pulled the needle over 139.5 pounds and just under 140. Fish must be identified by a Fisheries Section biologist or other certified fisheries biologist. On Sept. 27 that same year, Raymond Gray of Osceola caught a second record blue from the Mississippi River near Osceola. "It was as long as we were tall!". But it wasn't.". On Aug. 3, 2001, he was doing what he often does: fishing for catfish in the "Father of Waters" - with two buddies, in this instance. Arkansas River: 10/28/1989: Wesley White, Hartford, AR: Eel, American: 5 lbs., 4 oz. ccoutdoors.com.). 26 1/4. Try your luck at trophy cats on this excellent border water. Using a rod and reel with skipjack herring for bait, he subdued a 96-pound giant that smashed the old state record established in 1983. * World Record. Get on Board: Species for Beginner Anglers. PHOTO: Courtesy Arkansas Game & Fish Commission Advertisement 877-631-6005. Lake Ouachita: 06/03/1989: Joe Holleman, Waldron, AR: Catfish, Flathead: 80 lbs., 0 oz. Some of the biggest cats caught in North America have been pulled from Natural State waters. But not to be outdone, she continued fishing, and an hour later managed to hook and land a whopping 22-pound, 14-ounce channel cat. They use no bait. Arkansas fishes are a combination of abundant and rare species—primitive and ancestral, commercial and sport, game and non-game, native and introduced, and transplanted and exotic. The reel was spooled with 20-pound line - and Ashley was sure that this fish was bigger than 20 pounds. Arkansas Catfish Records. Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish. 51. They're published annually in the state fishing regulations guide and are available on the AGFC's Web site, www.agfc.com. may be submitted for consideration in the “unrestricted tackle” category if it exceeds the record weight established for that species by an angler using rod or pole. 03/12 Maryland State Record Blue Catfish caught 02/23/12 posted with photos. That's what happened that spring day. El Reno City Lake. A fish (of any species) does not become a world record until the record is certified by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). That's when his buddies got excited. This record 116-pound, 12 ounce Blue Catfish was caught in the Mississippi River by Chris Ashley Jr. in 2001. By 1966, Arkansas had 4,500 acres in catfish production and three processing plants. Both were using the tackle typical of Arkansas snaggers - long rods made for saltwater fishing and huge reels spooled with 75-pound-test line. All Rights Reserved. The latter employs a long line like a trotline rigged with needle-sharp 10/0 treble hooks instead of baithooks. With so many people turning to fishing as a way to escape the stress and challenges that have arisen in recent months, we've teamed up with the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and the National Marine Manufacturers Association to explore some of the freshwater fish species you can target if you're just getting on board with fishing. Commercial fish catches do not qualify. She was dunking a red wiggler threaded on a No. Mourning, White-Winged and Eurasian Collared-Dove, Arkansas Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation Enhancement (WRICE), Endangered Species and Other Threats to Wildlife, Gov. Arkansas farmers began to replace buffalofish ( Ictiobus spp.) Weight: 143 lbs (64.86 kg) Length: 4.75 ft (1.45 m) Location: Kerr Lake, Virginia, … Is it possible someone could land a channel cat, blue or flathead that will establish a new Arkansas record? Fish caught on handheld snagging equipment will be considered if taken from waters where snagging is legal. Give a Gift   And it is. 19. New York City high schools reopen. Then we cut the other end, went to the bank and both started pulling.". The Sayre brothers' snagline consisted of 100 feet of quarter-inch nylon rope. Benelli engineers saw ways to improve several aspects of the action when they designed the Lupo. It weighed an astounding 116 pounds, 8 ounces, was 55 inches long and had a girth of 42 inches. "It was windy on Friday night, but it was the only chance we had to go fishing. Bryant wasn't fishing specifically for catfish. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Their rods are extraordinarily long - sometimes more than 16 feet. An employee of the AGFC or the USFWS must witness the weigh-in and sign the application confirming the fish’s weight. 20 1/4. The Mississippi extends the length of Arkansas's eastern boundary. I thought it might be the current or a log wrapped in the line. 54 1/2. "We wanted to get the fish to the bank quickly," Mackey said, "but he was making his runs. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. "If a fish swims into it, a hook penetrates the skin; if he pulls, he gets stuck. Arkansas: 80 lbs: Wesley White: Arkansas River: 1989: California: 72 lbs 14 … The current all-tackle world record, caught in Elk City Reservoir, Kans., in 1998, weighed 123 pounds. A bolt-action rifle starts with, well, the bolt action. |   The one holding the landing net just laid it back down; he knew that the cat wasn't going to fit. 5-11-10. When it was placed on certified scales later that day, it weighed an amazing 102 pounds. For half an hour, Ashley and his buddies had no bites. But the Sayres' flathead didn't qualify for a record, because it wasn't caught on a handheld pole and line. Fifteen years later, White's enormous flathead is still the Arkansas rod-and-reel record. Considering that a mature, 20-pound channel cat is considered trophy-sized, the world record is even more impressive. 41 3/4. The Channel Catfish is one of America’s most popular gamefish. You may keep ONLY ONE Arkansas Blue catfish over 36". HHA Sports releases new Tetra LR and LRZ for 2021 — ATA Show. (Arizona Game & Fish photo) Arizona Catfish Records. AR River: Mark Matthews: 05/17/02: Common: 53lb: Lake Hamilton: Lynn Bradley: 03/23/85: Grass: 65lb 14oz: Horseshoe Lake: Gary Todd Brewer: 4/28/95: Silver: 39lb 4oz: Arkansas River: Ryan McKim: 5/11/95: CATFISH: SIZE: LOCATION: ANGLER: DATE: Black Bullhead: 4lb 12oz: Point Remove Creek: Janet Story: 04/11/86: Blue: 116lb 12oz: MS River: Charles Ashley, Jr. 08/03/01: Channel: 38lb: Lake Ouachita: Joe … Forget finicky flatheads and boorish blues. To apply for a state record, an angler must submit a State Record Fish Application, available from. Taft Lake. Ottawa Co. Pond. Landing a giant flathead, even one connected to quarter-inch nylon, is no easy feat, especially on a riprapped bank on a dark, moonless night. The fish may not be altered by any means to add weight. "We tied the ends to iron fenceposts driven down in the riprap. Arkansas sport-fishing records for hybrid species are to be only those stocked by AGFC (i.e., tiger muskie, hybrid striped bass and saugeye). Yes. Alligator Gar: See page 10 of the 2021 Fishing Guidebook. Mississippi River: 08/03/2001: Charles Ashley Jr., Marion, AR: Catfish, Channel: 38 lbs., 0 oz. When they closed up each evening, they drove to the Arkansas River to snag for catfish. If looking for the ultimate kayak that's both portable and lightweight, then consider a quality inflatable like the Hobie Mirage iTrek 9 Ultralight. "We didn't try to get it in the boat, because I knew we couldn't manage it. 201 East 5th Street So we went.". In May 2002, a 127-pound blue cat was caught in a hoop net in the Arkansas portion of the Mississippi River. Note: The brown trout is the 4-pound-line-class world record; the walleye is the 12-pound-line-class world record. "From the tip of its nose to the tip of its tail was 5 feet, 9 inches," Mackey noted. Search for the biggest fish in the International Game Fish Association's database of biggest fish for each species. Billy Nabors. "We stopped in there to eat every night when we went home from fishing," said Mackey. When you're looking for really big catfish, you'll find that the mighty Mississippi for sizeable channel, blue and flatheads. All of the aforementioned rivers have produced Arkansas state record fish in the past. "We can't say it was exactly 139 pounds, 14 ounces, because the scale weighed in half-pound increments," reported Mackey. Any fish setting a record weight will be considered, regardless of the size and species. A retired commercial fisherman, John had caught thousands of out-sized cats. "And though we didn't measure the girth, it was 21 inches from gill plate to gill plate across the top of the head. Study the rules you must follow in order to have a fish certified as a record. 2805 West Oak Street 28 … Although natural reproduction of Channel catfish does occur in Bull Shoals and Norfork, it is severely limited by predation of bass on young catfish. These are the counties currently served by this site. "But I didn't think it would top 100 pounds.". Regardless of what type of tackle is used, only one person may be involved in subduing the fish, except for helping net or gaff the fish. The current World record catfish title is held by William P. McKinley with a 111 pound blue caught on Wheeler Reservoir in Alabama. Some species, such as the … The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's mission is to conserve and enhance Arkansas's fish and CATFISH, BLUE 102.8 lbs. Use a snagline, their daddy advised them. Lake Texoma. "We couldn't find a good scale big enough to weigh it on, so we put it on my daddy's cotton scales. Flathead: 80-0, Wesley White, Arkansas River, 10/28/1989. And if he swings his tail a couple of times, he gets stuck again.". April 1, 2021. In fact, not only is it possible, but it's highly likely as well. It wasn't eligible for the record book because it was taken using commercial fishing tackle, but it shows the amazing potential of this enormous river. It is considered a southern state and is bordered by Louisiana on the south, Texas on the southwest, Oklahoma on the west, Missouri on the north, and Tennessee and Mississippi on the east. Fishing World Records. 877-470-1082, Mountain Home | D2 Only that weight witnessed at the official weigh-in will be accepted, regardless of the fish’s weight when it was caught. There are approximately 233 fish species in Arkansas. Fractions of an ounce will be dropped. We did that about 10 p.m. - then went to town to eat. A fisheries professional with AGFC or USFWS must identify the fish. Channel: 38-0, Joe Holleman, Lake Ouachita, 6/3/1989. Spring River: 07/12/2015 Species Weight Length Date WaterBody Angler Bait/Lure; Bass, Alabama 5.98: 22.25: Jan 9, 2016 Fish must be weighed on certified scales. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please email jim.harris@agfc.ar.gov with information on possible sources for reports about that lake or river. A few months later, it was officially recognized as an all-tackle world record. The Arkansas River behemoth was one of the largest freshwater fish ever caught in North America, but it sparked little attention. 0 5/22/12 NEW Michigan State Record Flathead caught on St. Josephs River posted 0 4/22 NEW Alabama State Record Blue Catfish caught 04/09 posted with photos. No photos are known to exist of Wesley White’s 80-pound state-record flathead catfish, but a fish that size no doubt could have eaten this 25-pound … Fishing for eating-sized flatheads is an easy and fun way to supply an excellent fish fry. A photograph purportedly showing a 736-pound catch adds to the collection of urban legends about monstrously large catfish. Come along as we recount the tales of just a few. 10. To the young Sayres, it seemed like hours before the big catfish was high and dry on the bank. In the third episode of Beyond the Rifle, we'll look at how these changes enhance reliability, accuracy and handling. For many years, a 19-pound, 12-ounce fish caught from a southeast Arkansas farm pond was the biggest of the big among Arkansas channel cats. Then he and his partners headed for shore. Electric reels may not be used. 16 1/4. One-ounce gradations are used for record purposes. wildlife and their habitats while promoting sustainable use, public understanding and support. Be ready if it happens to you. Giant cats are where it's at in the Natural State. They cast huge weighted treble hooks far into the roiling water and then snatch them through the water with hard jerks that jar their bones. (The angler who caught it didn't want to submit it as a record.) A digital photograph of the fish must accompany application. 39 1/2. –Images showing Jeremiah Mefford (and son Brody) are courtesy of … But in a few seconds, the jugs popped back up. 36 1/2. 11-11-04. #TheWaterIsOpen #GetOnBoard. Channel Catfish: 38 lbs 0 oz : Lake Ouachita Joe Holleman: 6/3/1989 : Cutthroat Trout: 9 lbs 9 oz : White River Scott Rudolph: 10/6/1985 : Flathead Catfish: 80 lbs 0 oz : Arkansas River Wesley White: 10/28/1989 : Flier Sunfish: 0 lbs 14 oz : Saline River Harvey Jones: 7/10/1985 : Freshwater Drum: 45 lbs 6 oz : Lake Wilson Brake: Chuck Piker: 7/11/2004: Gizzard Shad: 2 lbs 14 oz : White River It was the first catfish in the newly established "unrestricted tackle" category (legal non-commercial tackle other than rod and reel) for state records. Crappie, Black: 4. Anglers knew the Mississippi River also produced many giant blue cats, but it wasn't until May 29, 1995, that one big enough for the record books surfaced. 6-16-74. In the last issue of Arkansas Sportsman, I reported on a 51-pound channel cat snatched from 300-acre Lake Wilhelmina. Line and pole held up, though, and after 45 minutes of fighting, Ashley managed to bring the cat to the top. "But the needle was far enough up that it was almost right on 140 pounds.". However, increases in the price of fishmeal (an ingredient used in making fish feeds), an economic recession, and the lack of year-round production technology resulted in an industry downturn in the mid-1970s. Subscriber Services. These fish were caught by legal means other than rod and reel. (Ironically, just a few days later, Eddie Allen of Bluff City landed a 22-pound channel cat from the same area.). Snagging and snaglines are two very different methods for catfishing. If catching a giant catfish is your ticket to happiness, then Arkansas is the place to be. Channel: 33-5.76, Carson Pete, Upper Mary Lake, 3/26/2017; Flathead: 76-8.64, Eddie Wilcoxson, Bartlett Lake, 4/13/2013; Arkansas Catfish Records From the convenience of your office or home you can research property sales histories, commercial and residential building descriptions, and legal descriptions.. It is not, however, the biggest flathead caught in the Natural State - not by a long shot. The fish must be caught on rod or pole using hook and line. Catfishing experts started speculating that the Mississippi might produce a new rod-and-reel world record. Charles Ashley Jr. of Marion, AR reeled in a new State record and possibly new World record blue catfish from the Mississippi River. Use the search form above to find fishing world records for freshwater fish, saltwater fish, and more. June 6, '' Mackey said, `` but the needle over 139.5 pounds and just under.. 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