Before you continue the potential delusion that fish are bigger in other states, the Texas rod and reel state record is 4.75 pounds.

My fish is the unrestricted state record, since I caught it without a reel. Texas has a very robust records and awards program so there are lots of record opportunities if you understand the program.

Well done!

Is this the same as a northern pike?

Northern pike (Esox Lucius) are a different species than chain pickerel (Esox niger). Chain pickerel are found mainly in east Texas. Northern pike were stocked in central Texas from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. There have not been any northern pike found in Texas in 25 years. The species are similar. Spot pattern, scales on the lower jaw, and the black line below the eye are some of the identifying characteristics.

How does that fish only weigh .7 tenths of a pound?

Congrats on the record!

Thanks, Osborne. I’ve caught pike up north before. They’re a lot of fun. I didn’t think it was the same since they’re a cold water fish.

It was a very long and very skinny fish. I fish for records and weigh my fish on certified scales. The first thing you learn when using certified scales is that typically fish weigh much less than you originally thought.

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Kinda like deer shrink when you walk up on them after the shot

I guided big game hunts for many years, so a can definitely agree with your statement.

Good on the record! Go to Caddo and up it.

I need to get over to Caddo again. It has been way too long. I miss all the chain pickerel, bowfin, bass and redear.

The state fly fishing record for picks is 3.20# caught at Caddo.