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| After the day of fishing we had last time we went out, my buddy Orlando, wanted a chance to redeem
himself, in our ongoing fishing contest. I've taken him to some of my best spots and he has caught s
one nice fish over the years. But with this new reel I have now. It looks like I may just run off with
the contest. It was a beautiful day, temp in the high 70's and a slight southern breeze. Good fall fishing
weather. We went out in his nice ski boat, that has carpet and a radio, more luxury than I'm used to
. (My little Bass Hound is down with a carb issue) I didn't want to get the inside of his nice boat nasty
with worm dirt & minnows so I didn't bring live bait.
Instead I chose BERKLEY CATFISH CHICKEN LIVER CHUNKS. It comes in a great
ZIPLOCK bag that keeps the scent (stink) in the bag. Orlando broke out some cheese, blood stink bait,
that would knock a buzzard off a dead deer at 50 yds. Man that stuff STANK! As he tried to put some
on a hook, it crumbled in his hand and got all over. I was sitting in the back of the boat and it made
me gag. YUCK! I strongly suggested he dump it over the side as chum and try some of my Berkley
GULP. It didn't take too much talking to make him switch. He hooked on a chunk and we started
drifting down river in front of a NUCLEAR POWER PLANT. I had always heard there were some
monsters there. Big green eyed catfish! I had fished the area before and knew the bottom and the breaks.
It was 50 ft with a channel break coming up to 30 ft. As we approached the break, Orlando's rod flew
overboard and was never seen again! What a BUMMER! He had set it down to start jig fish a spoon.
I had my rod secured to the hand hold on the back deck and was jig fishing as well. There was a slight
tap on my catfish rod. I put down my jig rod and pick up the other. I pushed the line release and let
the bait drop.... when I engaged the line, I felt weight on it. I rared back and set the hook.
WHAM! FISH ON! My 6ft Ugly Stick was doubled over. Orlando said ' Your snagged!' '
I DON'T think so' I replied, as the fish made a run and started pulling the boat downstream,
ripping line off like it was going out of style. Orlando saw that OH CRAP look in my eyes. I told him
' I think we're going to need the net, to get this one in, if I can get him going my way' I fought the fish
for a few more minutes. As I got him closer to the boat, we saw him & he saw us and he made another
run. It took 20 ft or more of line, my rod was bowed up in a U shape. Orlando said he thought I was
going to break my rod. I replied 'I thought I had him, but I think he has us.' I got him close again and
Orlando got the net, he looked at the fish and then at the net and said 'He's not going to fit in it!'
I started cracking up, 'I hate it when the fish is bigger than your net!', 'That's all we have and I
'm Not going to grab this thing bare handed!' I told him, 'Just get his head in the net and heave it up
over the side.' It was one helluva sight. It's head barely fit in the net and it took both hands to lift it.
We both collapsed as I laid it on the carpeted floor. MAN WHAT A FISH! We gazed upon the big
slimy cat & checked him for green eyes. He was HUGE. I didn't bring a scale, but I'd say he was 20
or 25 lbs. Biggest cat I've ever landed in a boat. I hoisted him up for a couple of photos and released him
. There was a big slimy spot on the floor where the big cat was laid, I told Orlando,
'He even had big slime!','I'll help you clean up the boat.' I took a wet t-shirt and got most of the slim
up. As we headed in, I kept thinking about those green eyed catfish. I would love to catch one from
a HOBIE OUTBACK. Tight Lines and FISH ON!
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| Fish type and weight |
catfish, 25lbs |
| Date caught |
25 Sep 2011 |
| Location |
Secret |
| State |
Tennessee |
| Country |
United States of America |
| Rod - reel |
ABU Garcia & UGLI Stick |
| Fishing line |
Trilene 14 lbs |
| Bait lure |
Gulp Catfish Bait |
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