biggest saltwater catfish. Catfish have an extraordinarily keen. biggest saltwater catfish

 
 Catfish have an extraordinarily keenbiggest saltwater catfish The gafftopsail catfish ( Bagre marinus) is one of the two most common species of saltwater catfish, the other being the hardhead catfish (Ariopsis felis), found in the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea from as far south as Panama and as far north as Cape Cod

In 2019, a new state record for flathead catfish was set when Marvin Griffen caught one that weighed a whopping 69. In. image: Lynn Chan | Flickr | CC BY 2. 5 oz. Blue Catfish commonly reach 36 inches and 20 pounds. 75 pounds. What is the. Hardheads and sail catfish are perhaps two of the most widely populated saltwater catfish along the coastal waters of Florida. Hardheads and sail catfish are perhaps two of the most widely populated saltwater catfish along the coastal waters of Florida. Mekong catfish are severely threatened by habitat degradation and dam construction along the Mekong River. Range: Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. Cobia, with an average length of three to four feet, have a torpedo-shaped body. Katrina Reef: Sitting just a couple of miles from Biloxi, Katrina Reef is one of the most popular nearshore fishing spots in Mississippi. Saltwater catfish usually fall into one of three main types of catfish. The catfish can discharge a shock of up to 450 volts to defend itself and capture prey. /Intracoastal August 1977 *2. Saltwater catfish, also known as hardhead catfish or saltwater bullheads, are commonly found in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the. “It was almost like pulling in a 30-inch striper,” Tomkunas. Mollies are omnivorous and will require a diet of both plant and animal food. 48 lbs. What You Need You also want to use hefty gear, as these fish are not only big, but are likely the strongest of the catfish family. com. Speckled Trout. Overall, this makes the 888 the best choice for freshwater applications, while the 808 is ideally suited for saltwater fishing. Jeremy Fortner. Weighing in at 37 pounds, 14 ounces, the cat measured 46. 4 ounces Why Buy The Shimano Stella SW? This is Shimano’s “Top Dog” – The best of the best spinning reel from the world’s best fishing reel manufacturer. Spool up enough leader to allow a turn or two. Prefilled with quality. S. Catfish have a lifespan of 20 years, but this depends on the species. 12. Price: $$$$$ Ball Bearings: 13 + 1 Reel Size: 4000 – 30000 Max Drag Weight: 24 – 62 lbs. Redtail catfish are large bottom dwelling fish requiring an experienced aquarist. The oldest known flathead was 45 years old from Three Rivers Pennsylvania. Clubb Minor’s Can. The channel catfish at the Kids' Farm at the Smithsonian's National Zoo are fed a floating pellet, though they also eat aquatic insects, algae and plants that occur naturally in the pond. 0:00. Many – especially eating size cats – are caught on live bait. Mollies. Tip: Check out Lake Texoma State Park. Tipping the scales at nearly 300 kilograms (661 pounds), the leviathan ray surpasses the previous record holder, a 293-kg (646-lb) Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) caught in Thailand in. And the use of larger baits helps you avoid catching runts. First and foremost, DO NOT FREEZE your fish. Blue catfish commonly attain weights of 20 to 40 pounds, and may reach weights well in excess of 100 pounds. Females produce 4,000 to 8,000 eggs per kilogram of body weight—so a 10-pound fish could produce more than 20,000 eggs. The Freshwater Giants Are Dying. . 7. World Record Line. Yellowfin tuna are one of the premier big-game fish of the North Carolina coastline. 86 kilograms (143 pounds,. to bow up on some blue catfish. I understand that both of those species grow much bigger than the lowly channel catfish, making for better Instagram fodder and sorer arms. One of the largest catfish ever recorded weighed in at nearly 700 pounds, while the smallest species of catfish reach just one centimeter in length. The largely freshwater fish can tolerate brackish water and a wide variety of climates. The best way to treat a Saltwater Catfish sting is to first remove all of the spines from the affected area. Channel catfish may exceed 40 pounds, although the typical size is less than five pounds. Everyone has their own personal opinion, but the best eating tends to be 3-5lbs. Tags: Catfish. 5-pound, former world-record blue cat. This can be in the middle of a big shoal, in a deep-water bend of the river with large boulders or on the bank behind a tree in the water. Lay Lake is a 12,000-acre reservoir fed by the tailwaters of the Logan Martin Dam. Back in the day, Fernandina Beach was famous for its Goliath Grouper fishery. Sportex Italia Photo. The three largest species of catfish are the Mekong giant catfish, the Wels catfish and the Piraiba. The gafftopsail catfish ( Bagre marinus) is one of the two most common species of saltwater catfish, the other being the hardhead catfish (Ariopsis felis), found in the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea from as far south as Panama and as far north as Cape Cod. In this article, we will rank 10 of these incredible creatures by size. The state record belongs to Phil Infantolino, who caught the 1,046-pound behemoth in Hudson Canyon in 1986. Fisherman reels in massive catfish that could break a world record. Catfish can sometimes be predatory toward. The Mekong giant catfish is the official freshwater heavyweight champion of the world. The largest saltwater catfish is the Hardhead catfish. The White Catfish has white chin barbels. They are a threatened species. It comes in two sizes: 6500 and 7000. The Sail Catfish or gafftop catfish is slightly smaller when. Anything close to that would be considered a trophy catch. 00: 68. You can expect to catch Speckled Trout, Redfish, Flounder, as well as Sharks. They have a slender, elongated shape with a forked tail and slighlty flattened head. The two types of saltwater catfish that live along the southeast Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America are the gafftopsail catfish and the hardhead catfish. In home aquariums, they are used to clean the bottom of the aquarium and control algae and detritus build-up. The Biggest Saltwater Fish Ever Caught was a 2,664 pound Great White Shark The record was set in 1959 by Alfred Dean off the coast of Ceduna, Australia. Cobia – 90 lbs. A professional fisherman in Italy has caught what may be a world record-breaking catfish in the country's largest river. It measured 8. 010, saltwater as adults (1. According to the Guinness Book of Records, a nine-foot-long individual caught in northern Thailand in 2005 weighted an astounding 646 pounds , making it the largest exclusively freshwater fish ever recorded. The Saltwater Reel Big Fish program recognizes anglers for extraordinarily-sized catches of the 30 different saltwater species listed below. Four barbels on chin. With their huge mouths and low-set eyes, these large shark catfish trawl the waters of the mighty Mekong, feeding on huge quantities of plant matter. 5 to 12 centimeters in total length — that’s a little less than an inch to about 4. The Pictus Catfish is one of the most common aquarium catfish species. Emerald Catfish. They are usually 3 to 4 feet long. Reportedly, the biggest ever recorded weighed 317 pounds and stretched 9 feet, 1 inch and came out of the Po Delta in Italy. Wels Catfish ( Silurus glanis) — Up to 15 Feet. When most people think of trophy-sized catfish, they usually think of flatheads. 28 Thai Brendan Hoang Mississippi River September 2022 *4. In late October, news of a giant wels catfish caught from Spain’s Ebro River made the rounds on the Internet. Anglers are usually annoyed by the catfish, but if you’re just looking for some action, on some days, the catfish can save the day by always being willing to bite. usgs. What Are Saltwater Catfish? Are there saltwater catfish? There are a few species of catfish that live in saltwater. Structural Adaptation. Catfish have four barbels ("whiskers") that hang from the lower jaw, two from each corner of the mouth and two from the top of the head near the mouth. As the sun rises, it gradually warms up the water, which stimulates catfish to leave their nocturnal resting spots and search for food, making it arguably the best time to catch blue catfish, flathead catfish, channel. A 15-year-old Missourian caught the fish of his dreams during a mid-August outing on the Missouri River with his father, boating a 108-pound blue catfish that some say is the. Department of. 90: 14. What separates this enormous achievement from other world records is about 900 pounds of fish. An angler shocked the global fishing community this week after hauling a 9-foot wels catfish from the depths of Italy’s River Po. gov. Biancardi said he decided to go in shallow water in an attempt to land it. There are two Freshwater and two Saltwater bait. Striped bass is one of the largest fish available to the nearshore angler. Salween Rita Catfish. Saltwater fish are generally much harder on gear and stronger fighters than freshwater fish. Redtail catfish are difficult to care for because of their enormous size and predatory nature. It is known for. The Hardhead. 2-ounces, measuring 40. The Columbian Shark has a high fin and long "whiskers" that gives it a classic catfish appearance. 9) 80-Pound Line Class World Record Flathead Catfish. One of the most popular saltwater catfish species is the hardhead catfish, which can be found along coastal waters from. Flatheads and blue catfish hog the spotlight. The shark has short snouts and broad heads that are flat; their backs have an intriguing. Next, tie the tag end of the line to a 20-pound-test barrel swivel. When washing with the hose sprayer you will notice foam in the water. Longer, heavier models have longer handles for better control when battling big fish, and each rod is backed by a five-year warranty and St. When it comes to identifying a hardhead, they are easy to distinguish from a gafftopsail catfish. (Alessandro Biancardi / MADCAT) After a few attempts of gloving the fish's mouth, the animal was still too strong. Hardheads get their name from the bony plate between their eyes and dorsal fin. The catfish’s main bone is in the upper part of its body, and the smaller bones are joined on both sides. It’s best to use a medium-sized hook since it will most likely end up in. Whenever you rig cut bait, make sure that the hook is going through the skinnier side, so it’s more hydrodynamic. SHARE Frederic Santoul had been researching wels catfish for nearly a. If a creature attacks a saltwater catfish, it will raise its spines and try to sting its attacker. 5. This flathead was 61 inches long with a 43-inch girth. Trash Fish Tuesday is a new project from the MeatEater Fishing Department investigating, explaining, and celebrating some of our misunderstood and under-appreciated native fishes. 5 cm (1 inch). A traditional circle hook is an excellent choice for use with channel catfish and blue catfish. Channel catfish live in freshwater rivers, lakes, streams and ponds throughout North. In South Carolina, blue catfish are found in. Catfish are found all over the inshore waters throughout the Gulf of Mexico and in the Atlantic Ocean. Females produce 4,000 to 8,000 eggs per kilogram of body weight—so a 10-pound fish could produce more than 20,000 eggs. The most common saltwater catfish species are the hardhead catfish (Ariopsis felis) and the gafftopsail catfish (Bagre marinus). In a separate dish, make a marinade by mixing a dash of hot sauce and 1 cup of low-fat buttermilk. Add the fillets to the pan and cook your fish fry till the meat turns opaque. The rainbow trout weighs 26. They are a popular fish for anglers who want to eat their catch. Alessandro Biancardi, an Italian angler, pulled an enormous, 9. The Biggest Saltwater Fish Ever Caught was a 2,664 pound Great White Shark The record was set in 1959 by Alfred Dean off the coast of Ceduna, Australia. Tennessee will have a new state fishing record after an absolute giant of a catfish was hauled from the Cumberland River over the weekend. Katrina Reef: Sitting just a couple of miles from Biloxi, Katrina Reef is one of the most popular nearshore fishing spots in Mississippi. 5. Some eat algae and wood. The largest wels catfish by weight recognized by the IGFA was caught in the Po River as well, in 2010, and weighed in at nearly 298 pounds, records show. These stand out because they are short and stiff. Most catfish live in freshwater. It works well to catch bluegill, sunfish, perch, bass, catfish, and trout. [26] Blue catfish are highly productive and create high numbers of offspring each reproductive cycle. Species: CATFISH, CHANNEL (Ictalurus punctatus) Species Separation 1994 Rank Weight Angler Where Caught Date Caught. 408 meters) long. What is the biggest catfish caught in the Red River? September 24, 2022 by Brent Pollock. What separates this enormous achievement from other world records is about. 1. Huston/Shutterstock. For blue catfish, try using fresh-cut bait like mullet. Alligator Gar Bait Rig: The Hi-Vis Cable Rig. Species Weight Length Date WaterBody Angler Bait/Lure; Amberjack, Greater 133. states. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries reports the biggest known blue catfish was 143 pounds, “caught in an inland lake on the Virginia–North Carolina border”. How big are catfish in the mississippi river?. At least that’s the way I see it. Make sure you get all of the blood from the fillets when washing. Description. Texas' Big 5 Saltwater Game Fish. 1-888-392-8545. Some were of such a. This will give them enough room to swim around and be active without feeling cramped and unhappy. On this adventures Trapper Terry reels in a RECORD SALTWATER SAIL CATFISH! Teaming up with Lifeguard Lou they have a crazy day filled with excitement! Trappe. What separates this enormous achievement from other world records is about 900 pounds of fish. The biggest flathead caught in California was a 72 pound 14 ouncer caught by Billy Joe Potter on the Colorado River. Stink Bait, the Smelly Catfish Bait. The blue catfish caught by Mullenix weighed in at 121. There are more than 3000 different catfish species in the world, including the Asian Mekong giant catfish , the large Wels catfish and the tiny cory catfish found in South America. terrelli, which grew almost 9 m (29. The largest ever specimen documented was 27 inches long and weighed 12. Florida has a new state record for flathead catfish, with the report of a 70-pounder caught on the same river as the previous record. IGFA. Hardhead catfish. Put Two Fingers Below The Spines. Catfish are probably the most well known of all the bottom feeder fish. 2. In captivity, the maximum length for a sucker fish is usually 18 inches. 10- to 20-pound test line is preferable when you will be fishing around a structure of any. Jones: Catfish, hardhead:. What separates this enormous achievement from other world records is about 900 pounds of fish. 45 lbs or 12 kg, just like the brown trout, and ranks as one of the biggest fish inhabiting the Great Lakes. pH: 7. The snake river in southwest idaho is home to both channel catfish and their larger cousins, flatheads ,. Saltwater Catfish. Alessandro Biancardi with the pending world-record Wels catfish. Obtain the signatures of the scale operator and one other witness to. Saltwater - shoreline tackle is similiar for size of fish as freshwater but the moment you're out on a boat fish size goes up dramatically and 30-40lb gear is not uncommon and depths of water. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation. See moreWhat is a saltwater catfish? Several species are considered saltwater catfish, but the two most common are the hardhead catfish. Big catfish taste worse than smaller catfish because they have more toxins in their meat The meat of old catfish also tends to get old and mushy, providing a different and more gamey flavor when cooked. . a big catfish can keep you down far longer than you can hold your breath. Bristle Nose Pleco. Madcat / Alessandro Biancardi. Courtesy of MADCAT / Instagram. Most of these farm-raised fish come from the South—primarily Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas—where the deep-fried delicacy’s true soulmate, the “hush. Spanning 467,000 acres, it’s also Florida’s largest lake. As a versatile pursuer of the largest North American catfish species, Strickland also fishes for blue catfish with jugs above the dam and with a rod and reel below the powerhouse. Extra Heavy : these are the heaviest poles, and are used either for catching the biggest fish, or for fishing with extra large lures or rigs, such as over sized. Giant sunfish sets new record for world’s largest bony fish. The largest saltwater catfish is the Hardhead catfish. “It was almost like pulling in a 30-inch striper,” Tomkunas. The previous record for a freshwater fish was a 293-kilogram (646-pound) Mekong giant catfish, discovered in Thailand in 2005, the group said. Migrates in fall from fresh to saltwater to spawn. Reportedly, the biggest ever recorded weighed 317 pounds and stretched 9 feet, 1 inch and came out of the Po Delta in Italy. The record has stood for several decades. The warmer the water, the faster a fish’s metabolism will be. Caring for a Redtail Catfish is a big task. While breaking the record for the largest catfish ever caught is an amazing feat for anglers, the story is a bit sad. 0–7. 5 lbs , which was not only a Texas. Emerald Catfish. The foam creates more flotation. Trophy-sized flathead catfish can reach around 4. A cobia’s dorsal fin consists of 7 to 9 very sharp spines. That’s why. What are large catfish called? Mekong Giant Catfish is the world’s largest species of catfish found in Mekong river basin in Southeast. 25 inches: 8/26/2020. The hardhead catfish ( Ariopsis felis) is a species of sea catfish from the northwest Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, and similar to the gafftopsail catfish ( Bagre marinus ). The Myth: Scuba divers working around big dams have seen enormous catfish hiding in rocky lairs beneath the surface. Start by sliding an egg sinker or sinker slide up your main line, then connect a barrel swivel to the end of the line. Haney of Liberty. Zambezi river bull shark found in both saltwater and freshwater along coasts and in rivers of southern Brazil,eastern Angola and Zambia. A reel with a retrieve ratio of 6:1 reels in line faster than a reel with a ratio of 5:1. These fish have grayish-brown bodies with red tails, long whiskers, and large mouths. 1/2” Mesh 1. terrelli, which grew almost 9 m (29. 8. 09 meter) and can live for up to 5 years in the right conditions. Thread starter hatchrooster; Start date Mar 31, 2012; Mar 31, 2012 #1 hatchrooster Senior Member. What separates this enormous achievement from other world records is about 900 pounds of fish. His fish is 30 pounds heavier than the next biggest catfish. This fish is a pimelodid or long-whiskered catfish. Channel catfish are so plentiful here that Lake Okeechobee supports a commercial fishery for them. Eugene Cronley broke a state record that had stood for 25 years. Do not use. 4) Flathead Catfish: 72 pounds 14 ounces. Dorsal fin deeply notched. Piraiba is considered the largest catfish in the amazon river basin, reportedly exceeding 8 feet in length and weighing in excess of 400 lbs. Unlike other fish species, the catfish can live in freshwater, saltwater, and brackish water. 81 lbs: Mark. White Catfish. Remember to always equip bait (Press R to open the bait window) based on your location and desired catch. The biggest channel catfish ever caught in Florida weighed 44. Advertisement. Use bigger bait. Salt Catfish. The South Carolina blue catfish record was caught from the waters of Lake Moultrie in 2017, a monster 113. By Chester Moore Jr. 5-8. 6. Simply, these are amongst the very best catfish rods money can buy, (Image credit: Gen 3 Warrior Cat Bumping Rod) 7. They spawn once a year from late May into June, mostly in lower-salinity streams and smaller tributaries. For breeding purposes, it is recommended to keep a small group of three males and two females. The largest catfish ever caught is the Mekong catfish. * Because of current SCDNR slot limit regulations, the record listed will remain until fishery regulations change. In North America, the largest captured was a blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) at 130 pounds. 8 kilo - 17. Tags: Catfish. The Biggest Saltwater Fish Ever Caught was a 2,664 pound Great White Shark The record was set in 1959 by Alfred Dean off the coast of Ceduna, Australia. These 50 fish are the biggest of their species ever landed on a rod and reel. Average size is about 2. H. Native fish such as shad, skipjack, or perch are key. 10. Diet: Omnivore. The Flathead was over 5 feet in length and weighed 123 pounds. Bumblebee Catfish. Goliath Grouper – 680 lb. These peaceful fish are so much fun to watch as they cruise around the bottom of the tank looking for food in the substrate. Catfish (or catfishes; order Siluriformes / s ɪ ˈ lj ʊər ɪ f ɔːr m iː z / or Nematognathi) are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Obviously, birds and humans are also common predators. Green iridescence is particularly prominent in this species, covering the head as well as much of the body. The redtail catfish is a freshwater fish of the Pimelodidae family. The size range of catfish is large; from about five inches to almost six feet. The typical length is about 25–46 in (64–117 cm). Best for Treble. The largest catfish ever caught in the United States was a blue catfish caught in Virginia’s Kerr Lake in 2011. Temperature: 74-80°F. Take Our A-Z-Animals Fish Quiz. Zebra danios are fast swimming, active danio fish that are amazing in. Ideal for anglers targeting catfish under 100 pounds who want a reasonably priced durable spinning reel. The Biggest Saltwater Fish Ever Caught was a 2,664 pound Great White Shark The record was set in 1959 by Alfred Dean off the coast of Ceduna, Australia. The Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) is one of the largest fish in the world, knowingly growing to at least 9 feet and over 600 pounds. But fish approaching or exceeding 100 pounds are caught. Dredge the fillets in the flour in a shallow bowl and shake off the excess. Courtesy Jeff Pierce. The common name, hardhead catfish, is derived from the presence of a hard, bony plate extending. All-Tackle Record: 64. This next species is the largest catfish species in North America. Stephen Klobucar Sep 17, 2019. Angler Brad Gibson with a 7. ©Fiona Ayerst/Shutterstock. Cory Catfish Size. Most of the time a small setup like this will get the job done. FLATHEAD AUSTRALIAN (Platycephalus fuscus) Greg Finney landed a giant flathead at Mallacoota in Victoria (Australia). Gafftopsail catfish get their name. It’s the largest artificial reef in the area and home to a range of exciting fish species. Wels Catfish in Italy's Po Delta river. Zebra danios are peaceful and hardy fish that are easy to care for. Wels catfish can grow to over 250 pounds, with the IGFA All-Tackle World Record coming in at 297 pounds. Numerous species from the families Ariidae and Plotosidae, and a few species from among the Aspredinidae and Bagridae, are found in salt water. Gar. The underparts have a pinkish suffusion, which is most evident in males. This yardstick-length channel cat was caught on Game Club Pond by Colby Kerttula. Flathead Catfish: 123 Pounds. We rounded up the best catfish baits to help you land more fish this year. 1. The meat of old catfish also tends to get old and mushy, providing a different and more gamey flavor when cooked. The largest lake trout in Connecticut weighed almost 30 pounds! The upper half of the body is a silvery bluish-green or brown color, while the underside is mostly white. 5 meters long and weighs more than 21. He was fishing off the beach at night and caught this big salt water catfish. Three prominent, sharp spines (one at beginning of dorsal fin and one on each pectoral fin) Spines do not have fleshy filaments. During your New York state lakes vacation, I love staying in the lakeside town of Skaneateles while adventuring on the lake’s waters. The hardhead catfish, Ariopsis felis, has six whiskers, called barbels - one long pair and two shorter pairs. Species: Flathead catfish. Lake Greenwood is on Fire: Catfishing on Lake Greenwood with Captain Chris Simpson When I went fishing with Captain Chris Simpson for trophy blue catfish on Lake Monticello, we anchored down and waited. What separates this enormous achievement from other world records is about 900 pounds of fish. 02 lbs: Lance David Walker. Flathead catfish. The world record for blue catfish, recorded by the IGFA, weighs 143 pounds, with the longest one measuring over four feet in length. May 25 was just another normal day. Some fish species, like catfish, feed from the bottom, but also spend time at different levels. 3-5lbs. Bluefish. Striped Bass. It sports three spines, one on the dorsal fin and one each on the pectoral fins. Fish must reach or exceed the qualifying length listed for adults (age 16 and older) and youth (age 15 and under). The Mekong giant catfish is widely regarded as the largest purely freshwater fish in the world (excluding the species that migrate between saltwater and freshwater like the sturgeon ). Dino Ferrari’s 8. They reside in both the Atlantic and more heavily in the Gulf of Mexico. This catfish is brownish to gray-green in color and has four barbells on the chin. Spiderwire Stealth Braid Fishing Line. The king mackerel can weigh between 11 and 30 pounds. Alessandro Biancardi says he caught the biggest catfish he'd ever seen in his 23 years as a professional fisherman. Unique Traits: Cleaner shrimp behavior. Because saltwater catfish are not particularly large, you can fish for them with either light or medium gauge tackle with the reel of your choice. Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Reddit. Often mistaken for sharks by novice anglers, cobia (aka lemonfish, brown torpedoes) can put a hurting on you in a variety of ways. This large catfish is distinguished by its blueish back and side, lack of black spots and humped back near the dorsal fin. Here’s how to clean saltwater catfish: Using a sharp knife, cut the skin off the saltwater catfish starting from the fin down to the tail on either side before removing the head. S. The IGFA maintains the World Records for all species of game fish. 1. Catfish View all. Fishing Freshwater Fishing Catfishing 10 of the Biggest World Record Catfish of All Time From behemoth blues to fat flatheads, here's a look at 10 of the most impressive world record catfish. 9) The 280-Pounder. Hayes caught his record fish on July 9, 1955 while trolling a lure in Dale Hollow Reservoir, Tennessee, USA. Blue catfish, channel catfish, and flathead catfish are the three primary species of catfish in the United States. **Salt Water Catfish** The fins of the saltwater catfish have a complex toxin made up of a mix of high molecular weight proteins and low molecular weight compounds. The younger catfish are usually better eating, as the bigger fish are. It sports three spines, one on the dorsal fin and one each on the pectoral fins. Claim: A photograph shows a 736-pound catfish caught in the Mississippi River. Blue Catfish can be differentiated from Channel Catfish by the straight edge on the anal fin (long. Best Circle Hook: Team. The biggest channel catfish was roughly the length of a goat. Meanwhile, we commercially produced another 307 million pounds here at home. What separates this enormous achievement from other world records is about 900 pounds of fish.