Seems like when Ernest and I go catfishing, we can only catch smaller fish. But when we're crappie fishing, anything goes. Yesterday while crappie fishing a creek, Ernest hooked into this nice 40# Op. Took 45+ minutes to boat it on 6# line, and then the net was laughable. Only the head would fit into the net. Anyway, we got her in, took the pic and weight and released her to fight again.

Geeze what a pretty cat!

Nice catch on the 6lb line. Alot of Aps are caught this time of year crappie fishing. It takes skill to land a Ap or any fish for that matter on that small of line. Congrats Ernest.

That is one healthy looking flathead Ernest.....Congratulation Ernest. I've hung them over brush piles that were likely close to this big, but never had 6# test line hold up to getting him up. Great job!!

Great job buddy!!! I bet that is one fight you will not forget...

You just released the best eating fish that swims in freswater IMHO

I bet that was one heck of a fight

Actually, there wasn't much of a fight to it. We knew it had to be a cat, so Ernest just held on, tried to not let it get too excited, steered it away with the trolling motor from anything that could break it off, and after about 45 minutes, it came to the surface without as much as a head shake. What was really funny was the net. This cat's head was about 12" wide and the net was only about 15". So while Ernest held on, I put the net under the fish to steady it, and grabbed inside one of it's gill plates. Bad decision (no decision really) since I bled for about 30 minutes afterwards. And you're right Jerry about the eating, but we just can't bring ourselves to kill a cat that big. I'm sure you understand.

BTW, we're going again tomorrow and Monday for rounds two and three .

You Guys Are An Inspiration!

I know about the bleeding hand I stuck my hand in a 87#er's mouth once. We went to run a bait line and forgot the dipnet

Here's another one that I caught yesterday while crappie fishing (can't let Ernest out-do me). Only wish I could catch these on catfish tackle, while I'm catfishing. The fish was released after the picture.

Man that is a beautiful yeller cat.

That one looks like it would easily bottom out a 50 Lb Scale. What did she weigh?

Did you know that EVERY state record yeller cat ever landed on rod and reel was caught by a crappie fishermen? (See I guess there is a bright side to fishing for those picky little papermouths)

www.txcatfishguide.com

I guess we need to get a scale as well as a bigger net. Problem is, my boat will barely haul all the **** that we carry now. I know in my heart that mine was bigger.

WOW I would have never thought 6lb line could hold a fish that big. That is awsome.

Hey Chad,
No, I had no idea that the bigger yellows came on crappie tackle, but after yesterday, I'm a believer. Don't know exactly what it weighed, as our scale only goes to 50#....and now that I think about it, what's a crappie fisherman doing with a 50# scale? Wishful thinking I guess .

I caught 2 Apps and hung another on Ray Roberts Sunday Crappie fishing. They weren't that big though. That is a nice fish