Too Heavy to Handle!

October 13, 2011

Kathy Shafer

Kettering OH

Species: Flathead Catfish

Date Caught: 08/10/2011

Kept / Released: Released

Region of Catch: Region 1

Length: 42.5 "

Weight: 37 lbs.

I was casting an eighth ounce jighead tipped with a twister tail for walleye in the tailwater of Patoka Lake close to the dam a couple of days after my husband caught a huge flathead in the same place. I felt a bite but when I set the hook I was sure I was stuck! I fought the fish for at least 40 minutes trying to keep it up out of the rocks. I hung on as the monster fish took line out , then I reeled a little to bring it in. I had to get the fish around the wall, then climb down a concrete embankment to the sidewalk below so my husband could net it all the while keeping the fish from getting hung up in the snags or breaking the line! We netted the huge flathead, my first, measured it and took lots of pictures before we released it. My arms were really tired after that.

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