Nov. 3--- Lake Somerville 24#

Was it a Channel or Blue? Even though it's big & has a bluish tint, due to the bottom fins and the tail, makes me want to say a big ChannelCat. Or as they say, a hybrid. Largest Channel on record in Texas was a 36# caught many years ago. Unless someone ever topped that.

I agree Lynn. Some general info or input with the photo would make the post more interesting. Looks blue to me.

It was a friend of mine that caught it last night. I told him the same thing that it looks like a big channel. I couldn't figure out how to add caption but definitely wanted some feedback on it. Just might be a record channel for that lake

Hang on & let me look back for the details as one way to distinguish a Channel or a Blue. Sometimes "their" hybrids will throw you for a loop. I caught a Channel one time in Lake Limestone, that the head actually reminded me of a Yellow (flat & looked like the back side of a square point shovel). But forked tail & other such criteria past the head, said it was a Channel.

...
OK, here is one such item from TP&W in my archives-

Channel Catfish
A Body with dark spots (spots may be absent in large adults)
B Outer margin of anal fin rounded, and anal fin with 24 to 29 rays

Blue Catfish
A Body without dark spots
B Outer margin of anal fin straight, and anal fin with 30 to 36 rays

Further info might be found here:
<http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/catfish_diagrams.phtml>

I noticed the anal fin curved up towards the front, but actually the curve they seem to speak of, is the outer end of the rays.

Also, I have noticed Blues have a sharper forked tail, while Channels have a blunter one. But that may not always be the case. As to records, I wonder where a Hybrid would fit in, as to a classification.

And spots are usually on the younger & smaller ones, compared to larger ones.

Maybe somebody could extract the photo & blow it up to count the rays from the first pic, and give us a count.

I counted 31 rays.

Thanks "diesel_Power_House",

Guess that sort of concludes that. From that, guess it would definitely be ruled to the BlueCat side.

OK then, Nice Looking Blue!

Not a problem. My count could be off, but it would be a lower number than actual. Blue cat it is ether way

Nice Blue!

Nice fish