It’s a hot topic among all three primary catfish species of catfish in the United States but especially true for big monster blue catfish. ; Obtain the signatures of the scale operator and one other witness to the weighing. For those who don't know, jug fishing is a method where an angler uses lines suspended from floating jugs to catch fish. “My adrenaline was really pumping, so it wasn’t that bad,” said Pruitt, who lives in Fosterburg Illinois. 11 oz. Species. The fish, who was not in custody long enough to have been given a name, was later released back into the lake. 2011 Youth Deer Hunt. I was sitting around resting and eating my Fathers Day breakfast, enjoying the day off when my email started buzzing every few minutes with breaking news of the new potential world record blue catfish. The fish was certified at 143 pounds with a length of 57 inches and a girth of 47 inches. Virginia has been the site of considerable controversy in the catfishing world over the past few years. Please Read Before Registering. “Splash” still remains as the state record blue catfish in Texas. It weighed in at an impressive 3 pounds, 4 ounces. New Georgia State Record.” For the sake of comparison, the all-tackle world record for blue catfish stands at 143 pounds. So, Bernie caught a big 'un, but it's nothing compared to the largest blue catfish ever caught in Indiana. Bill Evans with the state record for largemouth bass in 2016. 1994. 2002. Cody Mullenix of Howe Texas caught the fish on January 16th, 2004 which became known as “Splash” while fishing at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge on Lake Texoma. The fish met all of the necessary qualifications and passed the certification process of the IGFA making it official as the new world. Indiana Striped Bass Fishing Indiana Hybrid Striper Fishing. THE WELCOME MAT. The blue catfish have been classified as an invasive species in the tidal waters of the James Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Weight. Blue Catfish. Lake Conner. A state-record fish must be legally caught in Arkansas where a sport-fishing license is required (no hatcheries or pay-to-fish lakes). Angler. “It was going down the river and it was pulling the boat all around. Ohio River Tony Campisano 1993 Indianas state Hybrid striped bass record : David Coffman, Frankfort, Ind., caught the new record fish May 22 below Lake Freeman's Oakdale Dam. Where do you think the next IGFA cat will come from? Private Pond. Potato Creek State Park, St. Joseph County: Darren Robertson: 1994: Burbot: 7 lb. The record-setting catfish was pulled in using a sausage with a circle hook. The new world record blue catfish was caught Saturday night June 18th, 2011 at John H. Kerr-Buggs Island Lake near Clarksville Virginia. Indiana Record Fish Program; Current: Fish of the Year Winners; ... Channel Catfish. The Welcome Mat. HUNTING. Flathead: 79-8, Glen Simpson, White River, 1966. Indiana is home to four types of catfish. Get more exclusive catfish fishing tips here by email, make sure to subscribe to my Youtube channel and follow me on Instagram and Twitter, World Record Catfish, The Top 4 Trophy Blue Cats. In January 2004 Cody Mullinex of Howe Texas caught a 121.5 pound blue at Lake Texoma, which was the first monster to garner serious media attention. Bischoff Reservoir (Ripley) Ron Anderson. The current Buggs Island 143 pound fish was certified as a record catfish and broke the existing world record by an impressive thirteen pounds and also certifies as the new Virginia state record blue catfish.. Instead, he agreed to let Cabela’s display the fish at their Kansas City store. Rick Hastings of Cape Girardeau Missouri landed a monster 115-pound blue. When it comes to catching catfish in Indiana, especially big catfish, the Ohio River is almost always at the top of the list for serious catfish anglers. Realistically, a channel catfish over 20 lb (9 kg) is a spectacular specimen, and most catfish anglers view a 10-lb (4.5-kg) fish as a very admirable catch. Fishing on the Mississippi River near Alton, Illinois Tim Pruitt landed the massive 124-pound cat after a battle lasting nearly 40 minutes a 58 inch long, 44-inch girth blue surfaced. Past Hunting Indiana Youth Hunts. 7 lbs 11 oz. The current Buggs Island 143 pound fish was certified as a record catfish and broke the existing world record by an impressive thirteen pounds and also certifies as the new Virginia state record blue catfish. White: 9.72, Melissa Grimes, Wabash County pond, 1985. 4 lbs. Fish caught on handheld snagging equipment will be considered if taken from waters where snagging is legal. A fish (of any species) does not become a world record until the record is certified by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). About once a week I get this picture by email with some long-winded story about this fish and it is a record catfish caught at Lake Texoma in Texas but you can [insert lake name here] because the story changes often. Potato Creek State Park St. Joseph County: Darren Robertson: 1994: Burbot: 7 lb. CDFW is temporarily closing its high public use areas, including visitor centers and license counters, to help slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).Before heading to a CDFW facility, contact the regional headquarters office to determine if that facility is open. Catfish: Blue Catfish: 106.9 lbs. Lake Michigan. The blue catfish caught by Mullenix weighed in at 121.5 lbs, which was not only a Texas state record but also a world record. Potato Creek. Bernal was fishing with pieces of cut silver Asian carp and a forty-pound test fishing line while fishing from his boat on the Missouri River in the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, west of the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers in Missouri. In July 2010 Greg Bernal of Florissant Missouri a 130-pound cat which was at that time an IGFA (world) record and a Missouri state record, breaking Tim Pruitt’s previous record by six pounds. Pruitt claimed to grab the fish by the lower jaw and wrestle it into the boat when it surfaced. Indiana DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife . Youth Forum. They know the Ohio River is the premier waterway for trophy-sized cats in the Hoosier State. Certified state record fish must be legally caught using an active hook-and-line method (including a proper license or exemption) by sport fishing methods. The fish must be caught on rod or pole using hook and line. Indiana Fish Records. Weight: 143 pound Length: 57 Inches Girth: 47 Inches. The top four trophy blue catfish caught in the past ten years across the United States. If you require further validation check truth or fiction or Snopes. Weight: 130 pounds Length: 57 Inches Girth: 45 inches. … The fish was housed in a massive freshwater display at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens Texas until it died (at an old age) and drew in tourists from all over the United States to see the massive cat (and the feeding display). With the continued conservation efforts to practice catch and release of trophy class catfish and anglers becoming more skilled and locating and catching big blues, there’s speculation that another monster cat will come soon. A look at the current and past world record catfish. Nick Anderson, a high school football coach from Greenville North Carolina was on a father and son fishing trip (yes it was Fathers Day weekend) fishing at Buggs Island. … 10 oz. Virginia Catfish Controversies – Invasive Species. Check out the Ultimate Guide To Catfish Rods, The Ultimate Guide To Catfish Reels and Ultimate Guide To Catfishing Gear, The Ultimate List Of Catfishing Tips. White catfish. The Indiana state record blue catfish was caught in the Ohio River in 1999, weighing an incredible 104 pounds. Here's how to verify your catch: The most important step is to get the fish weighed as soon as possible on a certified scale. 2013 Bob Skinner Memorial Youth Hunt. Two weeks after Greg Bernal caught his big blue another Missouri angler caught yet another impressive blue catfish from the Mississippi River. Catfishing tips, techniques and information from professional catfish guides anglers. On May 21st, 2005 Tim Pruitt caught a 124-pound record breaking the previous 121.5 lb record caught in Texas. ... Indiana’s current state record stands at 80 pounds. It died in transit. 04-24-1994. 04-08-1967. If you think your trophy fish may have broken a catch and keep record, it needs to be weighed by a MassWildlife Fisheries Biologist. 4 lbs 14.4 oz. So, Bernie caught a big 'un, but it's nothing compared to the largest blue catfish ever caught in Indiana. 14 oz. World record catfish is always a hot topic among catfish anglers. The fish must be presented in its entirety (whole). There’s been a recent push by state agencies to eradicate the blue catfish from these waters by opening them to commercial fishing. Year. The fish was caught in the Ohio River and weighed 104 lb. 2010 Youth Deer Hunt. It is being submitted for the ALL-TACKLE WORLD RECORD for Length. Justin Elliott. Indiana Catfish Records. 11 oz. 30 to 35 anal fin rays, anal fin margin is straight, caudal fin is deeply forked. Angler Sean Moffett Caught this MASSIVE Channel Catfish on 7/8/17. Water, County. The in-depth tutorials, ebooks, and videos will get you on the fast track to success catching catfish. Private Pond (Tippecanoe) ... State of Indiana's Instagram. This fish was not caught in the United States as it’s not a species of catfish that exists in the US. THE CAMPFIRE. The world record channel catfish weighed 58 pounds, and was taken from the Santee-Cooper Reservoir in South Carolina, on July 7, 1964. 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. 4 lbs. Shad For Catfish Bait: The Essential Guide For Catfishing, Slip Bobber Rig For Catfish: How, When and Why, Catfish Rods: The Ultimate Guide To Catfish Rods, Four Fishing Knots Every Catfish Angler Should Know, How To Clean Abu Garcia Ambassadeur Fishing Reels. And a 13-year-old set the state record in August 2016 for largest-caught spotted gar, which weighed about 6 pounds. Reservoir #26 happens to be a wheelchair-friendly campsite as well, so the entire family can enjoy the great fishing here without worry and with ultimate accessibility. Indiana state Record striped bass is 35.395 lb. Interestingly, the Indiana state record-setting bluegill was caught at Reservoir #26 in 1972. That record was set by Bruce Midkiff in … Darren Robertson. 2009 Youth Hunt. The Indiana record for a blue catfish was set in 1999 by Bruce Midkiff. 14.0. Unfortunately, the fish never made it to the Cabela’s tanks. Ethen Vest Frankfort, KY Indiana Department of Natural Resources data, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Earlier in 2011, a new Virginia record blue catfish that was caught at Buggs Island Lake weighed in at 109 pounds. 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) Note: … Here’s a look at some of the past world record blues prior to the current record and the history behind them including the story of “splash” the big blue that really put the trophy blue cats on the map. New Michigan state record catfish through the ice. The big fish took the bait around 12:45 a.m.. Bernal brought the monster catfish to the side of the boat within fifteen minutes, claiming “it came right to the boat”. Worster Lake (St. Joseph) Cameron Sly. We fought it for probably a good half hour to an hour and we were actually going down toward Scott City about a mile from where we’re fishing at.” said Hastings. The previous world record blue was caught in the Missouri River in July of 2010. Chart showing the increase in the size of each record per year over the past ten years. Kyle Estep South Point, Ohio: Ohio River, Boyd County: 05/26/2004: Flathead Catfish: 97 lbs. Indiana: 37 lbs 8 oz: Randy Jones: Lake, Vanderburgh County: 1980: Iowa: … It took an estimated forty-five minutes for the anglers to wrestle this monster into their pontoon boat. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Has certified a new state record flathead catfish. Pruitt was a catch and release trophy catfish angler, who considered letting his world record swim free after weighing on a certified scale. That record was set by Bruce Midkiff in 1999, when he caught a 104-pound blue catfish in the Ohio River. Esker Carroll: Green River: 06/06/1956: White Catfish: 5.27 lbs. Let’s take a look at the world record catfish caught in recent years, the biggest catfish ever caught of all time! The fish was finally landed in the boat around 1:30 a.m. Because it was caught in the middle of the night the fish could not be weighed until the next morning and it unfortunately died. These are the “big four” trophy cats that have broken records in recent years. Yellow Bullhead. The 143-pound record, unfortunately, died, presumably from the stress and handling as a result of the extended period of time it took for the anglers to find a certified scale large enough to handle the massive cat. Andrew Clark is a digital producer for IndyStar who moved to Indiana from Oklahoma. E. L. Blackstock. Greg Bernal’s fish was officially certified as the Missouri state record blue, breaking the previous Missouri state record of 103 pounds. 37.5. Other Hoosier fishing records? Getting the fish into the boat, however, proved to be a different story taking an additional thirty minutes to actually get it into the boat and requiring two dip nets to do so. Forum Rules and Guidelines. Summary of recent fish, locations, weight, length, and girth. The catfish bait the anglers were using was not been disclosed. Mekong Giant Catfish. Burbot. Glynn Grogan Arlington, KY: Ohio River: 10/20/2018: Bullhead Catfish: 5 lbs., 8 ozs. Blue: 104-0, Bruce Midkiff, Ohio River, 1999 (also Kentucky record) Channel: 37-8, Randy Jones, Vanderburgh County, 1980. Catfish. Information on purchasing licenses, permits, tags and other entitlements, can be found on CDFW’s Online License Site. The Campfire. It is actually prohibited in Indiana on lakes and reservoirs for public safety reasons. Missouri State Record Fish Program Rules Missouri has a long, proud tradition of fishing, and its abundant lakes and streams have produced exceptional fish. Hastings hooked the fish and stated that it dragged the boat for nearly a mile downriver while they attempted to reel in the fish. The catch broke the previous lake record by about 8 pounds, according to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. 13.0. Species Weight Length Date WaterBody Angler Bait/Lure; Bass, Alabama 5.98: 22.25: Jan 9, 2016 Politics. This area has become well known for producing amazing trophy class blue catfish. The catfish was pulled in on June 5, 2015 on the Potomac River. Anderson’s monster blue catfish was taken to Mecklenburg Farm Supply in Chase City Virginia because it was the only place within the area that had scales large enough to perform the official weigh-in. Follow him on Twitter @Clarky_Tweets. “Later on, when I was lifting him out of the live well and into another tank I really felt the weight.”, Weight: 124 Pounds Length: 58 Inches Girth: 44 Inches. Nick Anderson’s father, Rick caught a 95-pound blue catfish a few weeks prior to them catching the current record, also at Buggs-Island Lake. Anderson said that the fish was caught near the Goat Island area near Clarksville Virginia using an Ugly Stik fishing rod, a Shimano fishing reel, and 30 lb test fishing line. A 25-year-old named Tyler Kreighbaum caught the state's largest recorded lake trout at nearly 38 pounds in June 2016 at Lake Michigan. That's also the heaviest catch ever recorded in the state, according to Indiana Department of Natural Resources data. If you’d like to learn more on locating and catching catfish and learn to increase your success on the water check out the Catfish Edge products. The fish species must be certified by a FWC biologist, and a FWC employee must witness the official weighing, on a … Make sure to check out our “Ultimate Guides” and other top resources to make sure you’re getting the best gear available to help you catch more catfish. ► House approves massive tax overhaul, but last-minute glitch delays final passage, ► This is Indiana's most boring city, says Business Insider, ► Snow, rain to return to Central Indiana in time for your Christmas journey. Weight: 646 lbs (293 kg) Length: c. 9 ft (2.7 m) Location: Northern Thailand. state records for selected categories. They are flathead, blue, channel and bullheads. While our offices remain closed to the public due to COVID-19, please email rebecca.quinones@mass.gov to make an appointment to bring your fish into one of our office locations. An Oklahoma fisherman named Bernie McBryde set a record Tuesday for largest catch in Fort Gibson Lake, hauling in this 82.7-pound blue catfish on a jug. Bullhead. 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