When I first got the bug to go hunting catfish I had just retired from Corporate, now free from the chains of work and a new to me first boat to get me on the water. I had fished for years and years, mostly back in the UK, and now here in Texas and mostly for game fish like trout and bass.

I had seen videos of guys catching monster catfish and got excited to try my hand. I started off completely clueless, casting weights and big chunks of chick breast randomly from my boat, and got slim pickings. I posted here on TXFF explaining my dream to catch a BIG catfish, something over 8 pounds was the target I set myself as a starter.

Catfish Tim as he calls himself kindly offered to take me out on his boat, a very generous offer as we had never even met. I enthusiastically took him up on it, and on that very first trip Tim hooked me up with a 28 pound bluecat, and I was well and truly hooked right there!

CFT knows Catfish and knows his local lake, lake Lavon, and we went on to develop a strong friendship and I caught a bunch of good fish. Fast forward 4 years and Tim was now eyeballs deep in his work, and I found myself heavily committed to the volunteer organization I was now supporting. The bottom line is we were not fishing together much at all.

This week I got a message from Tim explain he was taking a couple of days off, and would I like to go cat'n with him. Is the earth round?

And so it was....

A cold early start at the Marina, and its a beautiful God given morning.



Tim had already secured the bait, and off we go. Tim has a plan, Tim always has a plan. We would drift some big baits in 30 feet of water., assisted by the trolling motor due to the lack of wind.



A handful of bites and some small 'teeners' over the gunnels. We were off to a good start. Then a big take down, planer board going sideways and I could hardly get the rod out of the rest. The fish is clearly not happy about coming into the boat!



A really nice fat 30 pound blue. Fantastic!

A couple more smaller fish, and Tim decides it's time to try the timber so we motor into a creek and tie to a tree in 10 feet of water.



We cast out our 6 lines and wait.



We didn't have to wait long, and a couple more teeners are in the boat, then.....



Tim hooks into a 36 pound big headed male blue, and he is one angry fish!

Some more smaller fish and it's time to head back.



A very good day. Around 150 pounds of fish and time to reconnect and enjoy some time on the water.

There is nothing like a day on the water catching big cats with a dear friend.

Thankful for this day, a gift from God.

Great report and fish. Thanks for sharing. Retirement is good.

Awesome post and fish. Good job.

This^^^^

I enjoyed this report-

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Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

Great day indeed, good job fellas and Merry Christmas to ya.

Glad you guys got to spend some time together.
Fish was just a bonus.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Ken