The First Catfish

August 17, 2011

Samuel Willhite

Big Lake Minnesota

Species: Catfish

Date Caught: 08/27/2009

Kept / Released: Released

Region of Catch: Region 1

Length: N/A, I have a fish weight scale i used

Weight: 8

I was on Cokato Lake in Cokato Minnesota when i was trying to catch some Smallmouth Bass. All of a sudden, I got some serious tugging on the line, and I immediately set the hook using my slip bobber rig and leech. The fight lasted for 10 minutes, and the catfish twice attempted to snap the line by going underneath the pontoon near the sharp metal. I positioned my rod just right to prevent the line from snapping and the fish from getting away, and I landed the fish. It turned out to be an 8 pound channel catfish. I netted the fish, and had my picture taken with my very first catfish and many more to come! :)

Recent Videos

Gear

In-Fisherman TV THROWBACK: Giant Northern Pike Fishing

Gear

In-Fisherman TV THROWBACK: Giant Northern Pike Fishing

Here is a look back at a classic In-Fisherman TV piece about pike fishing. A visit to renowned Wollaston Lodge brings it full circle--big pike are admired and coveted by serious anglers everywhere.

Learn

In-Fisherman TV: Night Walleyes with Bret Alexander

Learn

In-Fisherman TV: Night Walleyes with Bret Alexander

Renowned Green Bay walleye guide Bret Alexander demonstrates some simple techniques to locate and catch big nighttime walleyes--and other willing fish.

Learn

In-Fisherman TV: Tarpon and Redfish Gear, Tips and Techniques with Doug Stange

Learn

In-Fisherman TV: Tarpon and Redfish Gear, Tips and Techniques with Doug Stange

In-Fisherman TV producer Doug Stange talks about why it's critical to be armed with the right gear when tangling with angry tarpon and redfish.

Learn

In-Fisherman TV: HUGE Lake Sturgeon on Lake St. Clair

Learn

In-Fisherman TV: HUGE Lake Sturgeon on Lake St. Clair

In-Fisherman Publisher Todd Ceisner joins Greg Yarbrough to get an up-close encounter with numbers of the biggest fish that swims the Great Lakes. And heated battles persist. The duo enjoys multiple fights during a spectacular day on Lake St. Clair.

Learn

In-Fisherman TV Springtime Smallmouth SlamFest

Learn

In-Fisherman TV Springtime Smallmouth SlamFest

In this segment of In-Fisherman TV, Digital Content Manager Thomas Allen is joined by renowned Minnesota guide Luke Swanson of Livin' the Dream Guide Service as the pair seek out and tangle with angry river smallies.

Learn

Choose the Right Hooks for Your Harness Rigs and CATCH MORE FISH

Learn

Choose the Right Hooks for Your Harness Rigs and CATCH MORE FISH

Great Lakes walleye legend Ross Robertson talks about hook selection for different applications when building and pulling crawler or minnow harness rigs. This is solid information that will certainly help you maximize the number of fish that make it to your boat.

Learn

Andy Montgomery's Strike King Skipping Buzzbait

Learn

Andy Montgomery's Strike King Skipping Buzzbait

Pro bass angler Andy Montgomery talks about this custom designed Strike King Skipping Buzzbait, and demonstrates how to use it.

Learn

Lew's Signature Series Bladed Jig Rod with Andy Montgomery

Learn

Lew's Signature Series Bladed Jig Rod with Andy Montgomery

Pro bass angler Andy Montgomery talks about his Lew's Signature Series Bladed Jig rod and why it's perfect for casting and retrieving bladed jigs like the Strike King Thunder Cricket.

Learn

Hide Your Line--Camo Trick for Fishing Line with Bryant Smith

Learn

Hide Your Line--Camo Trick for Fishing Line with Bryant Smith

Want to disguise your fishing line? Pro bass angler Bryant Smith shares a simple and effective trick to keep your line under the radar.

Learn

Pick the RIGHT Buzzbait Trailers with Andy Montgomery

Learn

Pick the RIGHT Buzzbait Trailers with Andy Montgomery

Pro bass angler Andy Montgomery talks about selecting the best trailer for your buzzbait and how to rig it correctly.

Learn

The Strike King KVD Popping Perch is AWESOME with Bryant Smith

Learn

The Strike King KVD Popping Perch is AWESOME with Bryant Smith

Professional bass angler Bryant Smith talks about why the Strike King KVD Popping Perch is his go-to topwater frog for big bass.

Learn

When to Fish a BIG JIG for Bass with Greg Hackney

Learn

When to Fish a BIG JIG for Bass with Greg Hackney

Pro bass angler Greg Hackney shares insight on when and where he supersizes his jig presentation for bass. Bigger is often better when jig fishing.

See All Videos

Buy Digital Single Issues

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the In-Fisherman App

Other Magazines

Fly Fisherman

Game & Fish

Shooting Times

Gun Dog

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

2022 Fly Fishing Made Easy

Buy A Copy

2022 Fly Fishing Made Easy

Buy A Copy

2022 Catfish In-Sider Guide

Buy A Copy

2022 Catfish In-Sider Guide

Buy A Copy

2022 Kayak Fishing Fun

Buy A Copy

2022 Kayak Fishing Fun

Buy A Copy

2022 In-Fisherman Bass Guide

Buy A Copy

2022 In-Fisherman Bass Guide

Buy A Copy

2022 In-Fisherman Bass Guide Gear Box

Buy A Copy

2022 In-Fisherman Bass Guide Gear Box

Buy A Copy

2022 In-Fisherman Walleye Guide

Buy A Copy

2022 In-Fisherman Walleye Guide

Buy A Copy

See All Special Interest Magazines

More You May Be Interested In

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe & Save.

The First Catfish

Video That May Interest You

Recommended

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Buy Digital Single Issues

Don't miss an issue.Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Other Magazines

Fly Fisherman

Fly Fisherman

Game & Fish

Game & Fish

Shooting Times

Shooting Times

Gun Dog

Gun Dog

Special Interest Magazines

2022 Fly Fishing Made Easy

2022 Fly Fishing Made Easy

2022 Catfish In-Sider Guide

2022 Catfish In-Sider Guide

2022 Kayak Fishing Fun

2022 Kayak Fishing Fun

2022 In-Fisherman Bass Guide

2022 In-Fisherman Bass Guide

2022 In-Fisherman Bass Guide Gear Box

2022 In-Fisherman Bass Guide Gear Box

2022 In-Fisherman Walleye Guide

2022 In-Fisherman Walleye Guide

More You May Be Interested In

Get Digital Access.

Not a Subscriber?

Get a Full Yearof Guns & Ammo& Digital Access.

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.