Skip to main content

The First Catfish

The First Catfish
First Catfish ever

First Catfish ever

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

Recommended


Lure / Bait used: Bait | leech

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! :)




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

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Keeping enough line handy to re-spool often will keep you in control of the things you can control. If you fish more tha...
Destinations

In-Fisherman Storyline: The world's LARGEST Ice Fishing Tournament

Keeping enough line handy to re-spool often will keep you in control of the things you can control. If you fish more tha...
Learn

In-Fisherman Storyline: Stormy Stories with the Fascinating Craig Storms

Keeping enough line handy to re-spool often will keep you in control of the things you can control. If you fish more tha...
Learn

BEST Cold-Weather Fishing Gear Tips: Keep Your Hands, Feet AND Tackle From Freezing

Keeping enough line handy to re-spool often will keep you in control of the things you can control. If you fish more tha...
Learn

Being A Better Sportsman!!

Keeping enough line handy to re-spool often will keep you in control of the things you can control. If you fish more tha...
Learn

In-Fisherman Storyline AFTER HOURS: State of the Industry Going into Winter 2025

Keeping enough line handy to re-spool often will keep you in control of the things you can control. If you fish more tha...
Learn

In-Fisherman Classics: Sturgeon on the Colombia River with Al Lindner

Keeping enough line handy to re-spool often will keep you in control of the things you can control. If you fish more tha...
Gear

In-Fisherman Classics: Giant Snake River Sturgeon with Al Lindner

Keeping enough line handy to re-spool often will keep you in control of the things you can control. If you fish more tha...
Gear

In-Fisherman Classics: Giant Fish of North America

Keeping enough line handy to re-spool often will keep you in control of the things you can control. If you fish more tha...
Learn

In-Fisherman Classics: Technical Carp Angling with Al Lindner

Keeping enough line handy to re-spool often will keep you in control of the things you can control. If you fish more tha...
Learn

In-Fisherman Classics: Dan Sura Tackles GIANT Texas Alligator Gar

Keeping enough line handy to re-spool often will keep you in control of the things you can control. If you fish more tha...
Destinations

In-Fisherman Classics: American Carp Tactics Vs. European

Keeping enough line handy to re-spool often will keep you in control of the things you can control. If you fish more tha...
Learn

Fishing Line Magical Management

In-Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

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

Get the In-Fisherman App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

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

Get the top In-Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

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

Enjoying What You're Reading?

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

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top In-Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use