Do you think the record needs investigated ?

[plainsman]

The current MN record is 38 lb, but I have read stories about catfish of 100+ lbs being caught in days long ago. 58 lb is a big channel, but one day it may be broken.

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[IFitSWIMS]

After the Santee Cooper lakes were created in the early 1940's the channel cat was the dominate cat . I read an article in In-Fisherman mag on the subject years ago.The S.C. fish and wildlife biologist that was in charge of the area sent a bunch of those cats to the university of michigan to be identified.The information that came back was that the were indeed channel cats not blues.If my memory serves me right blues were not officially introduced till the 1960's and until that time channel cats dominated.Given this fact and coupled with the potential growth rate the lake has and also taking into account fishing pressure was low compared to todays standards i say the record is legit.A one in decades set of circumstances that produced huge channel cats and a world record.

[Dano]

Yea back in the day I do think there was less fishing pressure than todays times. They was a lot of old catfish in the lake. Older than me at the time. Probably still is.


Lake I fished at when growing up in south Texas ( 60's and 70). The marina had catfish jaws hanging up all around the bait shop on the lake.

Way I remember it. They were big enough to swallow me at the time.

They say there are some as big as a Volkswagen.
I believe the record is correct but
The biggest one always gets away.

[Richard Trent]

i got a book with a picture of the record. if i can scan it or take a pic with my phone i will. i say leave it alone. i mean they used to catch wels over 300 pounds all day now your lucky to find a 200 pounder. same works here. fishing pressure, cats eating cats, there's always something. but somewhere there's gonna be that 59 pounder. the channel cats growth rate in some areas can make it a 90 pound fish given time. but who knows if we'll see a 90 pounder in any of our life times outside of an aquarium.

[JERMSQUIRM]

Leave the record alone and besides that, they already found BIGFOOT.......He works for Jack Links Beef Jerky, haven't you seen the tv commercials? LOL!!!

i love them sasquatch sticks. the furious is my favorite. hot as heck.the happy blue ones my 4 year old will tear em up.

as far as the record being 47 years old. might as well be 147 years old. i dont think it was a channel and i dont think it will ever be beat. if they were that big they would be caught. blues are being beat every year lately. blues over 100 are becoming a common thing. channels arent.

red river in manatoba has a nothing over 24" can be taken. the regurley catch channels in the 30's and even the 40's. but high 50 or 60. well not yet or it would be the new record.

[JERMSQUIRM]

no need. right here it is trent.

theres been arguments over the tail. not being forked. but with the way the pis was cut who knows. and the anal fin looks squared but if its a 58 lb channel who knows what the tail would look like. ive never seen one anywhere near that big so i wouldnt know. and with the black and white pic theres no color to judge. but i dont seee it ever being beat. be a big day if it is.

[Richard Trent]

i think the picture i have is a different one. no way to know till i get done work and get that book out. there is always a good case for mistaken identity. but by now no point to try and take it down. there's also the 3 main variations of channel cat. but i think those area mainly color differences. still a hell of a fish though.

[Richard Trent]

flipped through that book. the pic i have is a side view. looks like a flat head not a blue or a channel. i for sure think its wrong. but hey its been way too long to change it. but that is a flat head for sure.

[dnunn]

I bet that fish was on steriods. After all, it was the '60's wasn't it?

[Flatheadhunter94]

Yea i agree to leave the record alone, its so old whats the point, in the meantime lets keep trying to break the record for the blues and flatties lol