Fisherman hauls in 124-pound catfish

[CajunCC]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/05/25/big.fish.ap/index.html

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ALTON, Illinois (AP) -- Tim Pruitt went fishing and pulled up a whopper of a beast.

No, seriously: It was roughly the size of a sixth-grader.

Pruitt, casting his line in the Mississippi River on Sunday, hauled up a 58-inch (146 cm) long, 44-inch (111 cm) around blue catfish that weighed a whopping 124-pounds (56 kg).

To get a sense of just how big that is, the state record holder was a mere 85 pounds (38 kg) and the world record holder tipped the scales at 121 pounds, eight ounces (55 kg).

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HOLY CRAP that's a huge fish! Definitely wouldn't fit in my 75g tank.

[125gJoe]

You're right - not in your 75 gallon -- or - in my boats livewell!!

QUOTE: "Later on, when I was lifting him out of the livewell and into another tank I really felt the weight."

I know I've never seen a livewell big enough in any boat.

The 6lb. catfish I caught yesterday fit in my livewell, but a 20 pounder would take up a lot of it...

Anyway, thanks for posting the article. ! :thm:

That's a lot of catfish.

[greendeltatke]

Wow, that is right where I grew up. My brother pulled a four foot catfish out of our city lake once. It got hooked on a stringer he had left dangling in the water to keep his fish cool. He is going to be so jealous. Thanks for posting this.

[Holly9937]

That is cool, except the poor thing died :sad: Just like the big lobster they caught a while back. It would be nice if they could just throw them back after the pictures for their 5 minutes of fame!!!

[125gJoe]

Well, I think all fishermen should release 'egg laiden' fish. If they are reaching their lifespan and can't reproduce, then I don't have a problem with that. Eat or mount is not as bad as some would have you believe...

Be careful as some fish reaching "old age", have worms in them -- not a good fillet there! :eek:

[windeindoiel]

I don't know why people can't just let things go, especially when they're huge. I'd rather see the big amazing ones live to be even larger, if they will get larger. It just seems like such a shame to end their greatness.

[125gJoe]

They never said what he used for bait! :confused:

[Holly9937]

Also, did anyone even get to eat the big lobster, or the big catfish?!?!?! After all that I hope it didn't go to waste

[musky48in]

Catfish that big are bad to eat for two reasons.

1. They taste bad. The smaller ones taste better

2. If it was caught on the Mississippi it is probably filled with mercury. Not good. I live a little farther north on the Mississippi and I won't keep a big fish unless it's going on my wall.

[musky48in]

Oh... you almost have to keep them when they get that big. A record fish; you would have to be crazy to let it go. And let's not get too moral on this subject. We all keep fish if we are part of this forum.

[125gJoe]

Oh... ... A record fish; you would have to be crazy to let it go. And let's not get too moral on this subject. ....I agree - but, when I catch a fish that is 'roe laiden' I will always release that fish.

Most all "record size" fish are nearing their lifespan. Todays' taxidermies now have/make 'casts' of fish so they don't have to use the actual fish.

At any rate, I believe taking some photos and measurement photos are all that's needed with a record size catch.

[Mako]

Folks would be supruzed to know how many catfish that big are out there. I live 30 minutes from the finest catfishing lakes in the country, the Santee-Cooper lake/river system (Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie, Santee River, Cooper River, and three huge manmade canals linking it all).

We once held the world record blue cat, 109lbs, by a guy that lives in the same town I do. Cool stuff!

Though, I must admit, I have more fun fishing for stingrays at the beach. Charleston has some monsters, I've caught them over 50 lbs myself but I've seen them more than twice that size. What's even cooler is that they often drop live babies right there on the sand. Little hand-sized stingrays, sometimes even with the stinger! Neat to watch the little fellers flutter off. And I always release the big rays. The little ones (under 10 pounds) have sweet, juicy meat much like a scallop.

[125gJoe]

.... The little ones (under 10 pounds) have sweet, juicy meat much like a scallop.Some restaurants have been in trouble selling ray meat as scallops! Rays are much more plentiful than scallops and customers think they were getting ripped off for the cheaper meat. I have to agree..

We have lots of rays on the east coast of Florida. I'm not sure about the west coast.

[Mako]

I dunno about the west coast either. The sure-fire way to tell the difference is the grain of the meat--- scallop grain is straight as a needle, whereas ray meat will tend to interlock, ever so slightly.

Honestly, if the price is right, they can call it hocky pucks for all I care, it's good eatins.

[musky48in]

Catfish that size have well passed their productive life cycle. The ratio of eggs that make it compaired to an average size cat are well in favor of the average fish. I have seen reports of less than one percent success rate. This fish fits in this catagory better than any cat that has been caught. The problem lies with the casual fisherman. What they see as a big fish and what really is, usually two different things. Thus leading to the taking of reproductive females. This problem is huge with the fish that I go after. I fish musky and I am constantly seeing 40+ fish kept and mounted. This is when the reproductions should be used. If a 52"+ fish were caught I would have no problem with someone keeping it and mounting it. I have caught several 45"+ fish with the biggest one being 49" and to my knowledge, they are still out there swimming. I catch a 52" fish and it is going to be on my wall. Period!

[saltyc]

I read that CNN article, and I could have sworn it said the fish ended up alive and well at the Kansas City Cabelas in their aquarium there...??

[musky48in]

Awww. Well isn't that nice. That might be actually kinda cool to see it at Cabela's or a bass pro shop....

[Mako]

So, when you catch a 52 inch musky, you reach way down in his mouth and yank out the hook right? :thm:

Lol, the southern answer to the musky is the old gar. I dunno if you have them up north or not. Check out the needles on these puppies

LONGNOSE GAR
http://faculty.evansville.edu/hk33/Vertebrate%20zoology%20stuff/gar%20mouth.JPG
http://faculty.evansville.edu/hk33/Vertebrate%20zoology%20stuff/gar%20mouth.JPG

ALLIGATOR GAR
http://fish.com.ua/foto/data/media/8/garfish.jpg
http://fish.com.ua/foto/data/media/8/garfish.jpg

SOUTHERN BUDWEISER GAR
http://www.pappnase-co.de/jpgs/90285.jpg
http://www.pappnase-co.de/jpgs/90285.jpg

[Reason]

No no no no no no. You people are mistaken.
Obviously he caught himself a small seal. It's a common mistake when fishing, I've done it myself before.

http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/ap/20050524/capt.cx10405242112.big_catfish_cx104.jpg?x=380&y=276&sig=YuXOuB64DsL1yV_u9u027w--

[greendeltatke]

That alligator gar is going to give me nightmares. :eek: I think it starred in Lake Placid with Betty White and Bill Pullman.

[Timmain42]

That alligator gar is going to give me nightmares. :eek: I think it starred in Lake Placid with Betty White and Bill Pullman.
I have never gotten over Betty White cursing up a storm in that movie. It's a total disconnect from the mental image I have of her.

[flyingfish]

Wooohooo! It's a live ichthyosaurus! Dinosaurs rule! :cool: :laugh:

[TONO]

I would never eat fresh water fish just too many parasites, and other nasties .

[tyella]

I would never eat fresh water fish just too many parasites, and other nasties .

That's why freshwater sushi is a no-no! However, a good, old fashioned fish fry with ample barley pop is a real treat indeed! Just cook that fish well.

But for the record, I'd never eat THAT big blue cat! It would taste like monkey butt! And the mercury and other toxins would be through the roof. Especially those toxins that reside in fatty tissues.

[kevinfishboy]

holy crap that is a huge fish i have never seen a catfish that big thats just nuts awsome article CajunCC

[Mako]

Hey, now, nothing wrong with eating freshwater fish! I've eaten it all my life (fully cooked) with no problems whatsoever. Now if you'll pardon me I've got some toothy worm looking thing bursting out of my midsection, anyone know Sigourney Weaver's phone number?

[ashdavid]

Even eating saltwater fish as sashimi is risky, thats why the Japanese eat sashimi with wasabi, to kill any parasites in the fish, or thats the idea anyway.
I will take sashimi over sushi anyday of the week. ;)