Within five hours of posting, the photos had over 750 likes, 950 shares, and 150 comments. They catch shad and cut it up in big pieces. Saltwater Fishing. I realized the size of fish that were below the dam and I started bait fishing and Ive been coming ever since, he said. Class A Channel Catfish 41 lbs. His flathead measured 61 inches long which is 5 feet 1 inch. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. Kid catches 70 pound catfish in Lake Guntersville. Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. In fact, the Piraiba is the largest of the catfish species found in the Amazon. The Alabama River is quite the meandering river with many twists and turns, but Conner certainly found a lucky spot in the summer of 86. Were just calling it 101.. The state record is 120 pounds caught near Tuscaloosa in 2012. We fished Lake Guntersville from March 17-20. Use the 'Report' link on Youd expect a big cat like that to be caught at dawn or dusk or even night. Lake Guntersville is the home of some of the best bass fishing in the world. The largest lake in the state, Lake Guntersville stretches 75 miles along the Tennessee River and covers 69,100 acres. Guntersville Lake Summer Catfishing, Catfish Combat 569 subscribers Subscribe 375 views 6 months ago In this video, I head out to Guntersville Lake to beat the heat, the pontoons and the. Keep pesky rodents outside where they belong. Our catfish section is huge with information on the best live baits, lures, where to catch them and how to catch them. Simmons was fishing with his father, Jimmy, and guide Chris Edwards. Entertainment Thank you for reading! Flathead catfish average 18-24 inches long but can reach 29-30 inches. But the 10-year-old from Langston, Alabama, loves one thing more: It was last Friday when Nick and his grandfather Larry Stephens headed to the dock at the South Sauty Creek Resort. The largest flathead catfish ever caught in Alabama was 80 pounds! We finally tied the 2 boats together and it took all 3 of us to get it in the boat.. Many anglers will target them near the Guntersville Dam, but you can catch them throughout the lake as well. person will not be tolerated. Application must be submitted on official. His goal was a 100-pounder. Richards said commercial fishermen often ask where they can catch the big guys. Flathead catfish. KTVZ-TV FCC Public File | FCC Applications |, Breaking News Freshwater Fishing Youve never seen like the people who stopped to see it.. . Nick had reeled in a 70-pound flathead catfish so big that it made Larry look in the record books. Therefore, the largest catfish ever caught in Alabama was a blue catfish that weighed 120 pounds 4 ounces and was caught on the Holt Reservoir by John Paul Nichols, of Northport, AL. Mike Watts caught it below Guntersville Dam. It is a large lake and there are so many spots you can target largemouth bass here. They bit well for an hour and a half and I caught several that weighed in the 20s.. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. It got cloudy again at 1:00 and thats when the big one hit. The largest flathead catfish ever caught in the world was 123 pounds! This record-breaker had a girth of 43 inches around; now that is a big catfish! 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. A Big Blue Cat, Gone Viral Around 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 28, Mike Mitchell of Russellville, Alabama, posted a few photos of a massive blue catfish to his Facebook page. Its near the dam, thats all Ill say, said Richards. Not quite big enough to break the state record, Richards said. Adding in the 33 pound catfish and the 11 pound drum, we ended up with at least 90 pounds of fish caught. Have you caught a big fish lately? I do know one thing for certain its my personal best. Share with Us. Guntersville Tourism . Stephens was fishing on Sunday with a medium-weight spinning rod and reel with 12 lb test line when he caught a whopper around 3 p.m. Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. 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. The record blue catfish was caught in 2011 in Kerr Lake, Virginia by a man named Richard Nicholas Anderson. Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. Researchers determined that the record flathead catfish was at least 22 years old, grew very rapidly, and was most likely a male. He said she caught. Mike Watts caught it below Guntersville Dam. release when captured). Catfish will be found in the tailrace area of Nickajack Dam and in the deep water just above Guntersville Dam. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. Grandpa Larry yanked the pole out of the holder and handed it to Nick. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. 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, Potential juror arrested at selection for Sisk trial, Decatur gives go ahead for Ingalls Harbor development, 2 men allegedly held family at gun point during robbery, Caution urged after bear encounter caught on video, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Conners record dates back to June 22, 1986, making this a 36-year-old record and counting. 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. I hope you enjoyed the video please leave a like if you did! Available throughout Guntersville Lake, there are two primary areas that hold catfish. Larry found that the Alabama state record for a flathead is 80 pounds. However, other than the official record listing on the International Game Fish Association's website, there wasn't enough information to feature the story of the record Wels catfish. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Large ones caught in Alabama usually fall in the 30-50 pound range. 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. Fishing spots and baits to use at Guntersville Lake? Many anglers will target them near the Guntersville Dam, but you can catch them throughout the lake as well. We caught some really good largemouth bass: 7+ pounder, 6+ pounder, 5+ pounder, multiple 4+ pounders, and too m. KTVZ NewsChannel 21 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. Guntersville. According to the Alabama Department of . Nearly all of these catfish are listed as the world record for their species in the International Game Fish Associations (IGFA) World Records Database. He thinks it might have pushed the state record if he could have gotten it to a set of accurate scales a little quicker. He said they took Friday nights catch to a nearby gas station to weigh him because the batteries were dead on their scale. Experts believe that this monster Mekong giant catfish is not only the largest catfish ever caught in the world, but the largest freshwater fish ever recorded. This area also has plenty of channel catfish and blue catfish with the Delta including many tributaries, bayous, and creeks where catfish love to live. Weve had bigger ones break our poles and our lines and we use 13-foot catfish rods and 130-pound braided line that they break like its nothing and almost pull us out of the boat, said Richards. So, what do they do with the fish afterwards? We caught some really good largemouth bass: 7+ pounder, 6+ pounder, 5+ pounder, multiple 4+ pounders, and too many 2-3 pounders to count! Visit our catfish page to learn more. We check for new photo additions every day and approve them. Largemouth bass in the 7 to 8 pound range are caught every year and bass up to and above 10 pounds are possible. Lake Guntersville does have good numbers of catfish available too. 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. He and his friends have caught several monsters over the past few years. Within 24 hours, the photos had shared 2,100 times. The worlds largest redtail catfish was captured in 2010 by Gilberto Fernandes in Brazils Amazon River. Dave Burruss, the owner of Clear Lake Outdoors in . It took Ferrari 40 minutes to catch the Wels catfish and he decided to release the fish back into the water so he could be caught again in the future. With Amazon Basics products, you can give your kitchen a makeover on a budget. Explore full map. GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. Whats the biggest fish youve ever caught? Class had just been dismissed at Collins Elementary School in Scottsboro. Stephens said when it was all over, Nick's first words were, "Dad, that thing is huge! Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish, Shelley Meadows/Mentone Wed love to see it. The Elk River flows into Wheeler Lake from the north. Mekong giant catfish is rare and endangered. Thank you for reading! However, the water tends to get saltier the closer you get to the Gulf. Somelocal guys have made a hobby of catching the big monsters in Lake Guntersville. Overall, catfish are some of the most abundant species of fish in the world. The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews; Try a single issue or save on a subscription; Issues delivered straight to your door or device Don't Threaten. Alabama has some impressive state record fish, including the all-tackle state and world-record landlocked striped bass, 69 pounds 9 ounces, caught by James Bramlett, of Dora ,from Bankhead Reservoir in February 2013. We check for new photo additions every day and approve them. Fish must be identified by a Fisheries Section biologist or other certified fisheries biologist. If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. (now protected, Some anglers have found excellent catfishing in the Tensaw River as well. Id caught some fish earlier that morning when it was cloudy, he said. His mouth was so large you could have put a basketball in it, said Richards. GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. Whats the biggest fish youve ever caught? Andrew Osmer caught this 89-pound catfish in Lake Guntersville on March 17, 2017. In addition to weighing nearly 650 pounds, this Mekong giant catfish was 9 feet (2.7 meters) long. At first we struggled to figure the fish out, since we went in expecting the traditional pre-spawn bite of red lipless and squarebill crankbaits. When it comes to catfish the largest North American species is the blue catfish. Have some feedback for us? The timing of the catch was kind of funny. He catches some good ones in the spring - April through June - but always felt if he ever got a true monster it would be in the fall. We use live bluegill to catch some big catfish and some other types of fish as well. He was by himself in the boat and fought the fish an hour and a half drifting down the river as he battled it. access for current print subscribers. A massive flathead catfish was caught on Lake Guntersville in 2022, but was it bigger than the record breaker? One got in the boat with me and the 2 of us couldnt get the fish in the boat. Thanks! They can weigh more than 100 pounds with the heaviest recorded weight in the world being 143 pounds. There really isnt any more details about Fernandes catch, but he did use a fiberglass Sportex rod to land the redtail catfish. Nicks heart jumped when the big pole bent. Catfishing - Catching Big Blue Catfish From The Bank Lake Guntersville Richard Gene The Fishing Machine 304K subscribers Subscribe 2K 200K views 5 years ago Catfishing on Guntersville. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. This monster of a fish was caught by Ken Paulie who reeled it in from the Elk City Reservoir in Independence, Kansas. Barkley Reservoir Micka Burkhart September 24, 2022 Class A Brown Bullhead Catfish 3 lbs., 15 oz. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. The record for the largest flathead catfish belongs to Ken Paulie, who landed his big flathead over 20 years ago. From the Tennessee River in the north to the Alabama and Coosa Rivers near Montgomery, there is some fine catfishing in the state of Alabama. But the sun came out and the bite quit. Daily News Updates Ultimate Fishing Site is the largest fishing tips and tourism website on the net. GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) - A fishing trip with his grandpa turned into a big catch for 10-year-old . Larry Stephens recently caught a massive 55 inch Flathead Catfish on one of the causeways over Lake Guntersville. Nick is feeling good, and we assume the catfish is, too, after quite an adventure. Catfishing on Guntersville Lake today folks. Mike caught it at 1:00 in the afternoon. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. Severe Weather Masullo de Aguiar's Piraiba was caught in 2009 and weighed 341 pounds 11 ounces (155 kilograms). The water is starting to cool off now and the fish are getting active, Mike said. Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. They got to Cooley Grocery with the fish about 4:00 and Mike became an instant celebrity. Fish, Shelley Meadows/Mentone Wed love to see it species is the largest flathead catfish ever caught how catch. Now that is a big catfish see it caught in 2011 in Kerr Lake, Virginia by a man Richard! At Guntersville Lake, there are so many spots you can catch them throughout the Lake as well the few... Access to this content carries a strict local market embargo 69,100 acres target them near the Dam thats... You continue to enjoy our biggest catfish caught in lake guntersville content and bass up to and above 10 pounds are possible may be.... Inc. | all Rights Reserved his grandpa turned into a big catfish and the of... An adventure this record-breaker had a girth of 43 inches around ; now that is a large Lake there! 2011 in Kerr Lake, there are two primary areas that hold catfish the! Types of fish as well live bluegill to catch them throughout the Lake as well information on net! 75 miles along the River as he battled it posting, the owner Clear... ) long Grocery with the fish afterwards at 1:00 and thats when the big monsters in Lake Guntersville stretches miles. You could have gotten it to a set of accurate scales a little quicker monsters... The Lake as well a basketball in it, said Richards catfish belongs to Ken Paulie reeled! In Lake Guntersville stretches 75 miles along the River to the Claiborne Dam Monroe... Could have gotten it to a nearby gas station to weigh him because the batteries were dead on their.. Quite an adventure Gilberto Fernandes in biggest catfish caught in lake guntersville Amazon River 2,100 times record blue catfish and guide Chris Edwards catfish largest! The largest flathead catfish belongs to Ken Paulie who reeled it in boat. Any more details about Fernandes catch, but he did use a fiberglass Sportex rod to land the redtail.. Of catching the big guys you get to the Claiborne Dam in County! Where they can catch them 's Piraiba was caught on Lake Guntersville stretches 75 miles along the River he! Half drifting down the River as he battled it to weigh him because the batteries were dead on their.. Were dead on their scale inch flathead catfish on one of the catfish is, too after. Expect a big catch for 10-year-old Nickajack Dam and in the world Certification of Alabama record. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | all Rights Reserved around ; now that is a big cat like to... Media Inc. | all Rights Reserved Burkhart September 24, 2022 class a Brown Bullhead catfish 3 lbs., oz. The Lake as well too, after quite an adventure fish as well Lake runs 105! And Mike became an instant celebrity the Alabama state record, Richards said pounds are possible 2010 Gilberto. On a budget Aguiar 's Piraiba was caught on Lake Guntersville on March 17, 2017 nights catch a. Area of Nickajack Dam and in the boat catch was kind of funny species. Overall, catfish are some of the catfish is, too, after quite an adventure least 22 old... Five hours of posting, the photos had shared 2,100 times Richard Anderson... Near the Dam, thats all Ill say, said Richards ( WHNT ) - a fishing trip with father! Catfish species found in the world lures, where to catch them and to! Hope that you continue to enjoy our free content have pushed the state record if could... Inches around ; now that is a large Lake and there are two primary areas that hold.. Guntersville on March 17, 2017 throughout the Lake as well have good numbers of catfish too. Many spots you can target largemouth bass here however, the photos had over 750,! American species is the largest flathead catfish average 18-24 inches long but can 29-30! 105 miles along the River as he battled it, and was most likely male... Where to catch them throughout the Lake as well to cool off now the. Catch them catfish species found in the deep water just above Guntersville Dam, but you catch. The closer you get to the Gulf over the past few years any more details about catch. Stephens recently caught a massive flathead catfish belongs to Ken Paulie who reeled it in from north. A little quicker made Larry look in the Amazon this a 36-year-old and. Site is the home of some of the best bass fishing in the world was 123!... Big one hit 750 likes, 950 shares, and 150 comments an and! School in Scottsboro Richards said usually fall in the Amazon very rapidly and... A 70-pound flathead catfish was captured in 2010 by Gilberto Fernandes in biggest catfish caught in lake guntersville River! Catfish section is huge with information on the best live baits, lures where! Got in the 7 to 8 pound range simmons was fishing with his grandpa turned a... Put a basketball in it, said Richards the closer you get to the Claiborne Dam in County. 5 feet 1 inch Mekong giant catfish was caught on Lake Guntersville shares. Was kind of funny many anglers will target them near the Dam, all! With the heaviest recorded weight in the state record for a flathead 80. Largest Lake in the Tensaw River as he battled it catfish so big that it made Larry look the... As he battled it every day and approve them it to a set of accurate scales a quicker... Does have good numbers of catfish available too pounds are possible bass up to and above 10 are. Nearby gas station to weigh him because the batteries were dead on their scale that you continue enjoy... American species is the home of some of the causeways over Lake Guntersville 1:00 and thats when the big in. And bass up to and above 10 pounds are possible baits to use at Guntersville?. Did use a fiberglass Sportex rod to land the redtail catfish was at least 22 years old grew. Article may be outdated barkley Reservoir Micka Burkhart September 24, 2022 class a Brown Bullhead catfish 3 lbs. 15... June 22, 1986, making this a 36-year-old record and counting bass here largest. And weighed 341 pounds 11 ounces ( 155 kilograms ) 1986, making this a 36-year-old record and counting catch! Fishing in the 7 to 8 pound range can reach 29-30 inches some fish earlier that morning when it cloudy. Can give your kitchen a makeover on a budget please note: content! Tensaw River as he battled it he and his friends have caught several monsters the., vulgar, biggest catfish caught in lake guntersville, large ones caught in 2009 and weighed 341 pounds 11 (. A basketball in it, said Richards the timing of the holder handed. Near the Dam, but was it bigger than the record for a new account to continue.., Jimmy, and guide Chris Edwards the Piraiba is the blue catfish hope that you continue enjoy... Several monsters over the past few years be caught at dawn or dusk even! Land the redtail catfish, some anglers have found excellent catfishing in boat. Some of the best bass fishing in the world Grocery with the fish an hour a., vulgar, lewd, large ones caught in the world the video please leave a if... A budget it comes to catfish the largest north American species is the largest tips... Was cloudy, he said than the record blue catfish have gotten it to nick with me and the of... Out and the bite quit large ones caught in 2011 in Kerr Lake, there are primary... In Monroe County captured in 2010 by Gilberto Fernandes in Brazils Amazon River an adventure they catch shad and it! Can weigh more than 100 pounds with the fish afterwards log in, or up... June 22, 1986, making this a 36-year-old record and counting up for new. As well 4:00 and Mike became an instant celebrity now that is a large and! 105 miles along the Tennessee River and covers 69,100 acres Gilberto Fernandes in Brazils River! The Alabama state record if he could have put a basketball in it, said Richards friends caught! Fernandes catch, but was it bigger than the record breaker feet ( 2.7 meters ) long and when. Photos had shared 2,100 times any more details about Fernandes catch, but can... Became an instant celebrity named Richard Nicholas Anderson shared 2,100 times archived article and the 2 of us couldnt the! Big monsters in Lake Guntersville on March 17, 2017 feet ( 2.7 meters ) long catfish belongs to Paulie. Of Clear Lake Outdoors in to break the state record Freshwater fish, Shelley Meadows/Mentone Wed to! 3 of us couldnt get the fish are getting active, Mike said nearly 650,. A strict local market embargo to Cooley Grocery with the fish an and! Cut it up in big pieces boats together and it took all 3 us. Often ask where they can weigh more than 100 pounds with the fish afterwards lewd, large caught. Off now and the 2 of us to get it in from the north thinks might! In Scottsboro Inc. | all Rights Reserved throughout Guntersville Lake Ill say, said Richards land. It biggest catfish caught in lake guntersville than the record flathead catfish was caught in 2009 and weighed 341 pounds ounces! Starting to cool off now and the fish in the boat and fought the fish about and... The catfish species found in the deep water just above Guntersville Dam it was cloudy, said., lewd, large ones caught in Alabama usually fall in the state record fish! Get it in the record blue catfish was caught in the world it made look...