Went out to AC for my first time yesterday. On my last cast of the night I felt this thump and set the hook. Felt this heavy pressure and thought for a sec I might be hung up. Then I feel the fight start to happen and I think Lord this is my first DD I know it.
I am using a real small crank with small hooks and I am just praying please hold on don't get off. My excitement is at an all time high. My rod is bent in half and I start to think I am by myself and no one is here to see this monster. I make some progress getting it to the top of water after what seemed like a while and get my first glimpse before she ran again. DARN IT!!

Did not get official weight but I am pretty sure she was 25-30lb if not more. The belly was super fat and this pic does not do justice. Oh well new Cat PB.

Aint no way that nasty critter is getting to lay on my carpet. Slimy thing. Exciting catch none-the-less. Isn't that a Flathead? Good to eat?

I remember folks on here talking about the slime from them. But I had to get a pic of it. Have not looked at a my carpet yet today. Simple hose wash get it off?

I have no idea what type of cat it is. I let her go instead of making catfish nuggets.

Nice catch, exciting fight. I did that at RayBob once on a jig & split-tail pork. Congrats. Just hose it off.

Did you launch on new side or old?

Flathead

This happened to me TWICE during the Oakley Big Bass on Richland Chambers fishing stick ups. Once on a jika rig and once on a shaky head. I thought I won the damn thing both times. I stopped fishing timber the rest of the weekend.

I launched at Selma Park I guess that is old side. I did not use the ramp cause I could see the end of it just a little bit down into the water. I noticed tracks in the sand between the docks right next to ramp where it looks like folks have been launching.

Was a little nervous since I only have 2wd but the dirt/sand is real firm right there and had no problems. Pretty shallow around ramp area but ok once you head South.

Catfish really aren't that slimy. . .it's the carp and the buffalo you really want to keep off of the carpets.

pedicure?

I caught a 35# yellow cat on a small crank bait a few years back. 12 pound P-line held up. When I was sure it was a cat, I still wanted to win the fight. Really exciting, but disappointing at the same time.

Pedicure.... My wife won't let put my feet near her in bed...Lol. Just cut some daggers off a week ago. Best they have looked in quite some time.

It was a fun fight. I had a tough time netting it myself. Could not pull it in one handed. I wish I would have weighed it. Heck not even sure how to weigh a cat.

I caught a 45 Lb Flathead on a small crank last spring on Pat Cleburne what a FIGHT

Nice catch my friend. Great story. Thanks for sharing. OH, that slime will leave a mark. Hope you cleaned that spot good. It will be as hard a concrete.