Monster Cold Weather Cat

[rsimms]

Gave up the ducks for the day and went fishing instead (Chickamauga). Trolled for crappie... only caught three (1 keeper), several yellow bass and a couple of stripe (white bass). The crappie wasn't enough to eat by himself so I decided to filet him and try one of my catfish holes. It was a wise move. Fish below was the result... 58.8 lbs.! Like a dummy I started again without retying. Hooked another one that broke me off. Take time to retie!!! Thanks to Dickie Porter for taking the picture for me (he was crappie fishing nearby).

 

[JerDog]

WOW! WHAT A CAT, do you know how old a 58lb cat like that is? I have often wondered how long they live. Did you land that by yourself? Where you using cut Skipjack?

 

[DHaun]

Awesome Fish! Look at the gut on that thang - Looks like it's been eating crushed cinder blocks!

 

[SNUFFY]

that is a pig....is that a blue or is it just the picture...not to change the subject.....has the duck hunting been any good this year...looks like all conditions are in place for a banner year....and won`t they put you in jail for cutting up game fish for bait....I think I read that you used to work for twra...so I guess you know whether you can or not...

 

[rsimms]

JerDog - 12/18/2005 7:13 PM
WOW! WHAT A CAT, do you know how old a 58lb cat like that is? I have often wondered how long they live. Did you land that by yourself? Where you using cut Skipjack?

I don't have a clue how old. I would like to know. I'd guess 15-20 years... but that is a wild ass guess. Biologists can age them by counting the rings in the otolith (part of their inner ear)... but obviously you have to kill them to get the otolith out. This old codger is swimming free, waiting to be caught again another day. I usually carry boca grips (or a cheap knock off). Didn't really plan on catfishing so I didn't have them today. Note the glove on my right hand. Grabbed him by lower jaw and hauled him in. I was a wore out puppy. As noted, he (or she) ate a 10-inch crappie filet.

 

[rsimms]

SNUFFY - 12/18/2005 7:25 PM

that is a pig....is that a blue or is it just the picture...not to change the subject.....has the duck hunting been any good this year...looks like all conditions are in place for a banner year....and won`t they put you in jail for cutting up game fish for bait....I think I read that you used to work for twra...so I guess you know whether you can or not...

As long as the game fish is caught legally, and is of legal size, you can legally use it for bait. However if you caught bluegill or crappie in a cast net for instance, it would be illegal to use them for bait. It is a Blue... duck hunting for me has been poor. Some folks have had great success.... especially in West TN. However my spots haven't panned out so well.

 

[drc]

Thats what I like to see, BIG FISH!!!! Was he deep?

 

[rsimms]

drc - 12/18/2005 8:01 PM

Thats what I like to see, BIG FISH!!!! Was he deep?

49-foot hump in a 60-foot channel

 

[polo-dog]

Wow rsimms, great cat. How long did it take you to pull it in and what size tackle were you using?

 

[rsimms]

polo-dog - 12/18/2005 10:17 PM

Wow rsimms, great cat. How long did it take you to pull it in and what size tackle were you using?

8-foot Flippin' Stick, 20-lb. test, 7/0 Daiichi Circle Hook... I have absolutely no recollection of time spent? All I remember is that he was kickin' my butt for the first few minutes. I'd guess 15 or 20 minutes from hook to hand ... give or take 30 minutes? Nothing like your 4-hour struggle with sewing thread.

 

[ranman]

I think sewing tread is stronger than what he"s using!emoUpsmile

 

[polo-dog]

Could be, could be.