Catfish ‘the size of a 6th grader’ caught in Oklahoma. See angler’s massive catch
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An Oklahoma angler recently caught the “fish of a lifetime,” photos show, but the question is, just how big is it?
“Do y’all wanna see a catfish the size of a 6th grader?” the state Department of Wildlife Conservation asked in a May 28 social media post.
An intriguing offer, and one many couldn’t refuse.
“Every time I think I have excised the last redneck cell in my brain, YET AGAIN I get all fired up over a picture of a big ole catfish,” one user commented on the department’s post.
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Bradly Courtright snagged the 95-pound flathead catfish during a visit to Pine Creek Reservoir, in the southeast corner of the state, according to officials.
As big as it is, Courtright’s catch is still shy of a state record.
“They get bigger, almost 7th grade material,” officials said.
The rod and line record for flathead catfish is a respectable 78 pounds, making it lighter than Courtright’s, though he used a trotline, which puts his catch in the unrestricted division. The unrestricted record is 11 pounds heavier, officials said, or 106 pounds.
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His fish is, however, the biggest flathead ever caught on Pine Creek Lake, according to officials.
Either public school works very differently for fish or Courtright’s catch got held back a few times, because it’s estimated to be between 30 and 40 years old, according to the department.
“What an impressive catch. A fish of a lifetime!” a person commented on the department’s Facebook post.
Some were curious what became of the fish. It became a feast, officials said.
“Flatheads are a common species here in Oklahoma, and this one was legally harvested,” the department said. “Bradly stayed within the limit AND used what was caught. This is a great catch all around.”
Pine Creek Reservoir is a roughly 215-mile drive southeast of Oklahoma City.
This story was originally published May 29, 2024 at 11:00 AM with the headline "Catfish ‘the size of a 6th grader’ caught in Oklahoma. See angler’s massive catch."