New Indiana state record flathead...

[Brutom]

From the IndianaInfo forum:

"Received a call at the house Saturday afternoon from a couple of fishermen who needed a DNR biologist to positively ID what they claimed was a new state record flathead. They had it weighed on a certified scale but were told before they cleaned it they should have it looked at. Well, I looked at it and confirmed it's a flathead...The fishermen's name, who hooked it, is Donald Kershaw (on the right in photo). He's from Monrovia. Him and his friend were fishing under the IN-42 bridge at Cataract. Donald hooked it just before midnight and it took him 30-40 min to land it (with help). They wouldn't tell what bait they were using but both smiled when I said it was probably alive and bigger than a leech. It measured 48 inches TL with a girth of 32 inches."

[metalman]

At the risk of starting a huge argument I have to say how dissapointing it is to see another giant in the back of a pick up truck. I know, I know we've thrashed this out before and the guy has the right to do whatever he wants with his fish but that is just my feeling...W

[CatfishWEIRDO]

I agree with you metalman.

[LilRyjoe04]

Yah, I don't agree with them doing that either. Why don't they CPR? I haven't kept one fish all year. My brother caught a fifty two pounder out of Eagle Creek reservoir and that was a record for there and we CPR'd it. That's a shame that the fish had to die. Did it die? Good Luck Fishing guys!!

-Later

[typer181]

I must say that I would be excited to bring one in that big, it may even cloud my perception between right and wrong. Let's face it, most of the time I find trash everywhere on the bank, people don't care about the mess they leave. This lack of fore thought allows people to do stupid things without thinking about the future of the rest of us.

[Butchy]

This lack of fore thought allows people to do stupid things without thinking about the future of the rest of us.
In this case I have to respectfully disagree, we can't just let people that do these things off the hook because they didn't think. In my opinion they just don't care, it's a lack of respect. When I fish somewhere I NEVER litter and I sometimes pick up other people's trash, and if I catch a big fish I put it back out of respect. I say these guys did think about it because they went to trouble to fish for big fish: obviously tackle that could handle a big fish, being there at night, and used bait that was probably alive and bigger than a leech. That's alot of thought. These guys probably keep everything they catch and it's unfortunate that they kept that one. This is just the way I see it and I know I assumed some things, but I in no way meant to offend anyone and if i did I apologize.

[cook]

I'll buck the trend.

Way to go guys!!Congrats.

If I caught a potential record-I would do all I could to keep it alive.BUT......
catching it at midnight,who knows how many miles from the ramp,.....finding a certified scale,.....contacting the bioligist,......getting pics,...etc.....

Well,releasing it just may not have been an option.

Eating it,feeding a family,instead of wasting it,is true respect.

But like others said,this is an old argument. :eek:

[metalman]

I don't really blame the guy that caught it. He didn't break the law and obviously did a good job to bring it in. And, let's face it, it is a fish of a lifetime. I think the real fault is with the law. If catfish enjoyed game fish status and the protection that brings we catfishermen would all benefit in the long run and maybe someone else would have had a chance to catch that fish in the future. Obviously I don't know for sure but I would bet that was the first time that fish had been caught. I don't hate the guy, It's just a shame I.M.H.O....W

[Brutom]

What is the formula for determining the weight of a fish based on its size?

The rule of thumb for fish weights of various body types are:

Pike (length X length X length) divided by 3500

Walleye (length X length X length) divided by 2700

Bass (length X length X length) divided by 1600

Bluegill (length X length X length) divided by 1200

Another generalized formula is:

(girth X girth X length) divided by 800

All of these will result in reasonable approximations.

I copied this from the In-Fisherman website.

And I get it at 61 lbs. by the generalized formula.

[whiskerfisher]

Nice fish!! You caught it, its all your decision now. I bring a camera take a couple snapshots and let them go. Fishing is what you make off it, some guys keep them, some don't, some trash the place but most don't.

[Cdbush28]

Hey Brutom, do you think the weight calculator is wrong or the scale was wrong? From the picture the fish doesn't look 85lbs to me. I have also seen several 60+ fish that have had bad pictures that look small and then i have also seen several 30-40lbers that look like world records. It's funny how camera angles can alter the perception of a fish.

[Brutom]

I'd say that the weight calculation is an approximation, and therefore not to be taken as exact...however, I'd reckon it'd be a lot closer than plus or minus 25% regardless of the species of fish you'd use it on.
More likely its withen 5 or 10% at most.
So, I'm confident that this fish must only be mid-sixties at most. Based on the reported length and girth.

[sam]

Its not a very good photo of the fish, but i kind of agree, it doesn't look as big as what they are saying. How-ever they did have it wieghted on a certified scale.
I guess we'll just have to wait until DNR does their job of certifiying it before we'll know for sure. :confused:

[Cdbush28]

An old fisherman that i know once told me that when a catfish reaches 30inches that it weighs aprox. 1lb per inch. This has held very true and almost exactly on every fish i have ever caught over the 30 in.length.

[fishfanatic]

probably alive and bigger than a leech Hmmm? I wonder what the bait was? I thought to qualify for state record you had to tell the bait, pound test of line etc.

[river scum]

my 2cents

like cook said,i dont know the details. i would hope they tried to keep the fish alive though. a fish of that size deserves to live on (imo). as for feeding it to my family,no f in way would i eat such a toxin filled beast let alone feed it to my kids. lol

record stood since 66,congrats on the new record guys if you read this.

[wolfman]

From looking at the picture the flathead appears to be dead. Most Flatheads when held by the mouth like that will have their tail curled up if they are alive.

[Jroc777]

I believe that they did kill the fish. If you refer to the first post you will see this statement: "They had it weighed on a certified scale but were told before they cleaned it they should have it looked at." Judging from this I imagine they probably cleaned the fish to eat.

[HoosierPoleCat]

Anyway you slice the pie that is a nice flattie. I wish the boys luck on the new record. I'm not going to agree or disagree about the fish not being returned to the waters to fight another day. They must have their reasons.

[Brutom]

Bruce Tomlin
bctomlin@earthlink.net
Why Wait? Move to EarthLink.

Milestones
The 1 that didn't get away
Monrovia man's huge flathead catfish could wind up being a state-record catch.



Denizen of the deep: Donald Kershaw (left), with help from his friend Doug Rush, landed this monster flathead catfish at Cataract Lake. He caught it the night before this Aug. 20 photo. -- Photo provided by Donald Kershaw

Related news from the Web
Latest headlines by topic:
• Fishing
• Outdoor Recreation

Powered by Topix.net


Donald Kershaw

• Age: 45.

• Residence: Monrovia.

• Family: Married to his wife, Diana, 43, for 25 years. The couple have one daughter, Brianna, 14.

• Occupation: Inspector at Sum Co., an electroplating shop, for 28 years.

• Milestone: Caught an 85-pound flathead catfish that may break a 39-year-old state record.



Flathead catfish up close and personal

• Scientific name: Pylodictus olivarus.

• Range: Large, slow-moving rivers in the Mississippi River basin.

• Size: Can grow up to 100 pounds, but most are caught between two and 50 pounds.

• Feeding: Carnivorous; fish swim into shallow water to catch their prey.

• Life span: Up to 20 years.



Source: Encyclopedia of Animals






By Tania E. Lopez
tania.e.lopez@indystar.com



Donald Kershaw feared he and his buddy would go home empty-handed after nearly six hours of fishing at Cataract Lake.

Kershaw, 45, Monrovia, had begun to think of leaving when, two minutes before midnight under a full moon, the fish hit his line.

"He took my line out three times, and luckily I was on the bank," Kershaw said. "I knew right away this was the biggest fish I had ever hooked into."

Last month's catch turned out to be an 85-pound flathead catfish that may break a 39-year-old state record.

According to Department of Natural Resources Chief of Fisheries Bill James, the record is a 79{1frac2}-pound flathead catfish caught in 1966 in White River in Lawrence County. State officials are waiting on certification of the scales used to weigh Kershaw's fish before calling it the record-breaker.

Kershaw's catfish is not the biggest fish ever caught in Indiana waters. A spoonbill catfish caught in 1966 weighed 106 pounds and measured about 4 feet long.

So much for superstition

Anglers have a superstition that fish don't bite during a full moon.

Kershaw said he won't believe that anymore.

At about 11:58 p.m. Aug. 19, Kershaw's pole bounced once, then twice.

"It was pretty warm out, and we were planning on leaving at midnight," said Kershaw, who was scheduled to work the next morning. "At two minutes to midnight, the fish hit my pole."

Kershaw picked up the pole, and the catfish swam with his bait. Kershaw set the hook, and the battle was on.

Kershaw tried to reel in the prehistoric-looking fish, but it took all his line out three times. The fourth time the fish took off, it broke the handle off his reel.

Determined, Kershaw walked along the bank and kept the line taut.

Finally, he got the fish about 3 feet from the bank. His buddy Doug Rush, 38, saw the enormous fish and yelled in excitement for Kershaw not to lose it.

"I saw it, and I knew right then that was one fish we didn't want to get away," Rush said.

Kershaw's line broke, and he yelled for Rush to grab it. Rush held the line with both hands and tugged.

After nearly half an hour of struggling, the fish gave in.

"It was like an old fat person who ran a block and needed sleep for a week," Rush said. "You could just see his gills, and it was extremely worn out."

Kershaw and Rush struggled with the fish after pulling it onto land, and they both pounced on it.

"A lot of people don't believe we jumped on him, but that's about all that we could do," Kershaw said.

"I usually let the bigger fish go because they produce more fish, but Doug insisted we take it home. How many people would believe we released a fish this big? Nobody."

By 4:30 a.m., they arrived at Kershaw's house.

Rush took care of certifying the fish, and Kershaw left for work.

"At that point, we didn't know it was a record," Rush said.

Kershaw's wife said they wouldn't eat the fish because its size makes it unappetizing.

"It's big, and it's ugly," said Diana Rush, 43. "Of course, I've never seen a pretty catfish."

Kershaw won't say what bait he used to catch the fish. The behemoth rests in a freezer, wrapped in yellow plastic, in a shed outside Kershaw's home.

"I still haven't comprehended what I've done, and I wonder how many people had a hold of that fish and it broke their line."

Call Star reporter Tania E. Lopez at (317) 444-2804.

[kccats]

The article says they are not going to eat it. That it is ugly and it's size makes for bad eating.
You know, if they just would have said they were going to eat it...
It's not going to be a record. I agree with you guys that this does not look like a record fish to me.
That being said, they just killed an awesome fish just for the fun of it.
That... I don't agree with.

[Fishgeek]

I'm not sure if you all have seen this yet but I just saw this on the Indy Star's website. This flattie is not a state record. In fact, it's 20 pounds shy. The original scale they weighed it on was not certified.

Here's the article:

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050915/NEWS01/509150437/1006/NEWS01

[Abu]

If the poor guy would have only known he could have shoved 20 pounds of his secret bait down the flatties throat. LMAO Abu

[nuthinlikeacat]

You can definitely tell that fish is not that big just by looking at that pic. They must not fish kittys that much??? Or have they just not caught many biggens? I haven't caught anything nearly that big, but damn, I know I could guess within 20 lbs!!

[HoosierPoleCat]

LMAO @ abu. Thats still a very nice flattie :p

[nuthinlikeacat]

Being I just read the post about the guys in Indy thinking they had a record, here was an article from early August in MN about a guy supposedly catching a 75 lb flattie.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/503/5551894.html

I have no idea where he measured the girth from, but the is no way that is a 75 lb fish.

[LilRyjoe04]

That's terrible! That would really suck to think that you had the state record and find out that you don't. He wouldn't tell his bait?? What an @$$!! His secret bait :confused: He deserves to not get the record!! He should of CPR'd!! :cursing:

[Fishgeek]

I hear ya Ryan! As for bait, I'll put my money on a nice plump 12" largemouth bass!!! (LMB need to be 14" in Indiana to keep & use for bait)

[rodpod]

That does not look like an 85 pound flathead.

[sam]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's official...it is NOT a state record:
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050915/NEWS01/509150437

Scaled-back catfish slips away from the record book
Inaccurate scales kept Monrovia angler from breaking 39-year-old state catfish record, DNR says.
Donald Kershaw will always wonder about the one that got away.

He has the fish -- a huge flathead catfish -- tucked away in a freezer outside his home.

What got away was a 39-year-old state record Kershaw thought he had broken when he hauled in the behemoth last month at Cataract Lake.

Department of Natural Resources officials this week determined that the scales used to measure the Monrovia resident's catch were inaccurate. Instead of a record-breaking 85 pounds, the flathead weighed 66 pounds.

Randy Lang, DNR fisheries staff specialist, said Kershaw, 45, went through the proper channels to make sure the fish he caught was certified. And he is still eligible for the DNR-sponsored Fish of the Year program, Lang said.

"It's still a heck of a catch and a heck of a fish. But maybe this could help the next guy recognize good scales," Lang said.

Anglers who wish to submit their fish for state recognition should make sure the scales used to weigh the fish are certified by the Weights and Measures division of the Indiana State Department of Health, said Lang.

There are about 50 fish species open for state records or Fish of the Year awards in Indiana. The state record for the biggest fish is a 106-pound spoonbill catfish, also known as a paddlefish, caught in Knox County in 1996.

Dima Beach, a clerk at Wilbur (Ind.) Corner Shop, weighed Kershaw's catch.

"I've never seen one that big in my life. And I was thrilled to see how much it weighed. I thought, 'Wow, look at the fish,' " said Beach. "I didn't know we didn't have certified scales at the time. After that, we got certified."

Kershaw, who zealously guards his secret bait, harbors no hard feelings toward Beach. He is confident he'll eventually catch a state-record-sized fish.

"In my own mind, I know it was a record. I know it was," said Kershaw. "It may not be this year, but next year I'll be contacting you to tell you we've got one."

[rodpod]

I think the guy is a bass fisherman, and he snagged him with his pink crankbait. lol

[typer181]

That was a good one rodpod!

[capt.kirk]

Looks like a really nice fish.
Looks like a really dead fish.
Looks like poor judgement,what a way to treat a senior citizen.
Looks like by the measurements,it should weigh 61.44 lbs
Looks like he wont gain any more weight.
CAPT.KIRK :thumbdown

[river scum]

shame on you fishgeek. being idnr you should know that you can use a 12 in. bass if caught in a river or stream. when we goin to get out and fish some more bud? call me

[Jroc777]

I think that they don't want to give up their bait because they were using live shad. It is illegal to use live shad as bait in Indiana except for Brookville Resevoir. They may have caught shad in a cast net and used it and didn't want to get in trouble. Just a guess.

[river scum]

good posasbility jroc.

[Fishgeek]

RiverScum: Shame on you! They were fishing at Cataract were the LMB limit is 14" Yes, perhaps he caught it in a river, but a CO would still write him up because there's no way the fisherman could prove he didn't catch it at the lake. But, yes, shame on me for not thinking of that!!! :o

I was also thinking a live shad...or live carp. And yes, I think that's kinda a crazy rule since carp, at least, are EVERYWHERE. Good rule for shad though.

Anyway, the gage looks like we should've been out there last night. CFS jumped from 150 to 520...still not very high but I'm sure the fishies enjoyed some fresh water & were out cruising. Maybe we can get out this weekend? I've been a good husband, the kitchen's done, AND I vacuumed last night...she's gotta' let me go!!!

I took the kids fishing at the Y last Saturday. My boy caught his very first gill & did it all by himself. I was helping my daughter, then turned around to check on him. His bobber was gone & he was reeling in! Good day!

[river scum]

tuche mathew! hey sounds like the kids had a good time. when did the y stock there pool man? just kidding bud i know were your talkin. yes we will have to hit it this weekend,ill call you. i hope to have some puff balls and squirrel tonight too,yum.

[river scum]

for those that dont know, puff balls is not profanity, a medical condition, or a rapp singer, they are big white fall mushrooms. good fishin to all this weekend!

[HoosierPoleCat]

river scum you jus aint right son. we get some rain they pop back up. we gonna have to hit it this sunday.;)

[Brushy Bill Roberts]

The local shop owner here (Spencer) said that this was not a record fish, the scales were off by 20 lbs. This was told to him by the local Conservation Officer.
I agree, it is a shame that more care was not taken to be able to release this fish.
The largest flathead that i have caught is only 18 lbs. it was released, i prefer to keep a couple of 3 - 4 pounders to eat. and dont do that often.
But, it was their fish, their choice. I just hope it didnt get wasted.
When I get into the large ones, many pictures will be taken and the fish will be sent on its happy way. It takes too long (for me ) to find them. and while big fish are not that scarce, they are for me.
I had something break my 20lb line this saturday night, never saw it.
I have fished since i could hold a pole, my catfishing was usually something we did at night until we could get up and fish the river during the day.
the last year or so, i have been concentrating on the cats, and am learning more every week. The guys that run the local shop have been really helpful and i am glad that I found this site.
I hope to meet some of you guys.
I usually put in the west fork south of spencer and paddle (canoe) up river about 1.5 miles to the entrance of a large gravel pit, camp and either fish the channle that feeds the pit or in the bend of the river.
Im rambling.
I look forward to the info and help that this site has to offer.
Please respect the rivers,
Brushy Bill

[Brushy Bill Roberts]

Sorry guys, i didnt see all the post with the news paper articals.
HAVE FUN FISHING