+1

all that weight to be hung like that and for like three minutes... im not a hater or jealous that you caught that big fish but i would taken pictures then would off donated the fish to bass pro shop or cabellas for other people to view ... just throwing in my .02 cents

Is that what you did with that giant hybrid in your signature? lol joke

Slot limits are coming!

I would not eat any that big or old. To much chance of mercury built up in the fish.

Very nice fish.. but ya I would have released it.

Yellow cats are some of the finest eats in the water big or small.

I don't think Fork is over harvested on any cats.

I did post on other thread in the bass section that a nice picture and release would be nice.

Cam, thanks for always taking the time to share some of Forks treasures.

I caught a 72# flathead out of Fork last spring and he eat just fine. I fed about 40 people with that one fish,not one complaint!

Kenneth Jones is a great guide and even a better person. I have known him about 10 years and is one of the biggest advocates for fish care, well versed in "fizzing" largemouth and has worked many times on the catch and release boat and hands on with the wish to fish foundation. Easily the most knowledgeable person I know when it comes to grass identification.

He spent 4 years traveling with a mobile fish aquarium to different tackle shows across the country and one of his big points was stopping invasive plant species as well as water conservation...

His customers came here with the understanding that they were hunting for meat and wanted to keep this fish, he harvested about 35lbs of good clean meat from the fish and had another 59lber he caught today that was also filleted.

Fork has an abundance of catfish and they are honestly not pressured anything like our largemouth. I think he is legally and ethically correct for taking some of these catfish out. If we were considered a "trophy" flathead lake I might take offense to it, but for the most part there is zero pressure put on these catfish....which is pretty obvious due to the amount of giant flatheads we start seeing this time of year caught by largemouth anglers. (Dean Stroman had a 75lb flathead on rod and reel with a dd22 crankbait.)

Anyway, I just thought I would throw in my 2 cents. I posted this here without his knowledge, I was simply amazed at the size of this beast and thought you guys would enjoy seeing it...if I would have known about the overwhelming negative criticism I would have not filmed the video or post it.

You are . People will always want to tell you what you should do. This is a on going arguement on this forum. There is always someone out there that thinks you should have done something different. I love to fish for flatheads. I prefer them over blues and channels and most if not all other freshwater fish to eat. If the person that catches the fish follows the rules and regulations I see no right to judge them or tell them what to do with their catch. I just hope those that do harvest the fish actually eat it instead of letting it rot in the freezer.

Congrats on your catch. Most will not ever come close to catching a fish like that in their life time. I have been fortunate enough to Ap fish all my life and pride myself in all the Aps I have caught and released and harvested over 60 lbs including the monster in my sig.

how big is the one in the sig Danny?

yep, lotttttttta meat on a flattie, and it's all tasty, belly, cheeks, all of it. that thing could feed a small country for a month. congrats!

I did not have a problem with them keeping it since there are not regs or slot limits on them, i think everyone was just saying what they would have done. Don't take opinions the wrong way, we are all just jealous we have never caught one that big.


and cameron about your comment "Easily the most knowledgeable person I know when it comes to grass identification." I knew a guy in college i would put up against anyone when it comes to identifying the different kinds of grass. hahaha

jw

This is my exact sentiments about this subject!! This sort of bullbutter from all the "experts" is why I stopped posting a damn thing about my fish I catch! I keep every fish that is on my lines as long as they are legally caught & a legal fish to keep on a trotline! It is all about the way that one cleans & prepares a bigger fish as to the way it taste! I guarantee anyone that I can clean & cook a 60# yellow cat & it'll taste as well or better than a 5#'er!!