While usually a bottom feeder, the aggressive sharptooth will occasionally feed on the surface. The species has earned a reputation as a man-eater throughout its wide distribution in South America extending north from the Amazon and Orinoco River basins to as far south as Argentina. Its large size and great tasting flesh make the flathead very popular with anglers. Over the past decade, the wels has become extremely popular among native European anglers, as well as anglers traveling from around the world to target this prehistoric freshwater game fish. A stunning photograph had some wondering whether it was real. Merriam-Webster's definition of "monolith" is a "single great stone often in the form of an obelisk or column.". Weight. Just ask Brayden Rogers of Cisco. As the largest catfish species found in North America, the blue cat has long been a favorite target of freshwater anglers looking for a bullish fight to test their skill and tackle. World’s Largest Mekong Catfish Caught ©Photo from Suthep Kristsanavarin. Although oftentimes confused with the barred and tiger sorubim because of the variation in their spots, the large size of the spotted sorubium which is reported to grow up to 100 kilograms separates it from its smaller sorubim relatives. With nearly 3,000 known species, catfish are one of the most diverse groups of vertebrates in the world. All-Tackle Record: 53.5 kg (117 pounds, 15 ounces), Rio Parana, Corrientes, Argentina. However, this photograph and story were just humorous fabrications posted on 1 April 2016, otherwise known as April Fool’s Day. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Although most simply enjoy telling their version of the story, many claim to have actually seen it, yet some never believed it to be true. Its large size, enormous mouth, and beady eyes give the goonch an intimidating appearance which has added to its allure among anglers. In this video, outdoor writer and tackle specialist Shane Beilue breaks down the difference between a rod blank’s action and power and discusses what the various ratings of each mean. The goonch is a mysterious catfish species that inhabits the rocky, swift moving rivers of central Asia's Ganges, Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins — with some of the largest specimens taken in India, where they commonly exceed 45 kilograms (100 pounds). Not only is the wels one of the largest catfish species in the world, it is also one of the largest freshwater fish in the world with catches reported into the 600-pound range. While its general coloration of mottled yellows and browns does not differ greatly from other catfish, the flathead is very distinctive in appearance and is not easily confused with any other species. https://www.hookedoncatfish.com/world-record-catfish-biggest-catfish Once hooked, these powerful fish test not only the angler's skill, but also their tackle, as they oftentimes use submerged debris to break the angler's line. Fishermen in northern Thailand netted a 646-pound Mekong River catfish that may be the largest freshwater fish ever recorded. The goonch is a mysterious catfish species that inhabits the rocky, swift moving rivers of central Asia's Ganges, Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins with some of the largest specimens taken in India, where they commonly exceed 45 kilograms (100 pounds). A routine review of content labeled satire. Alabama. |   These characteristics, coupled with their prolific distribution, make catfish one of the most popular recreational game fish in the world. A photograph shows a 736-pound catfish caught in the Mississippi River. All Rights Reserved. 1 Minute Read. Their willingness to take a variety of natural and artificial baits, coupled with their strong fighting ability, make the redtail catfish a favorite among sport fishermen. As an omnivorous species, the sharptooth's diet includes just about anything it can catch or find, including: fish, birds, frogs, small mammals, reptiles, snails, crabs, shrimps, and insects. The image that accompanied the article actually shows an average-sized flathead catfish (which grow to about five feet in length), not a Mekong Giant Catfish. This ohio catfish record still stands biggest flathead catfish ever caught in catfish caught with fishing rod blue catfish caught from santee cooper giant catfish to species. Here are the largest channel catfish ever recorded from every state in America: State. The widely distributed channel cat is found in throughout most freshwater lakes, rivers, streams and ponds of the United States, southern Canada and northern Mexico. When hooked, the channel cat makes strong, determined runs. The catfish weighed in at 736 lbs. Experts believe that this monster Mekong giant catfish is not only the largest catfish ever caught in the world, but the largest freshwater fish ever recorded. The redtail catfish is truly omnivorous in its feeding habits, with an eclectic diet including fish, fruits, and aquatic vertebrates and crustaceans. If it were banned, you wouldn't be seeing this message ... Reports that a group of Saudi scientists had made an unusual declaration about the biological classification of women originated as satire. Dropping a small fish to the bottom of these pools is one of the most effective methods for targeting flathead. The spotted sorubim is a beautifully colored game fish, patterned with eloquently random black splotches and spots. The spotted sorubim is a beautifully colored game fish, patterned with eloquently random black splotches and spots. They tend to prefer lily pads and floating "islands" of water plants around river deltas, and are notorious for retreating under these vegetated areas after ambushing their prey making medium to heavy tackle almost a requirement when targeting sorubim. Probably the most widely distributed fish in Africa, the sharptooth catfish is found throughout the woodland-savanna zones of the Afro-tropical region from the Nile River, to as far south as the Umtamvuna River in South Africa. Subscriber Services. Its natural diet includes live and dead fish and aquatic vertebrates, but anglers have found that the wels is also quick to take artificial baits such as plugs, spinners, frog lures and even flies. All-Tackle Record: 36 kilograms (79 pounds, 5 ounces), Orange River, Upington, South Africa. Blue Catfish (Over 105lbs) 124lbs 2005 Tim Pruitt, Mississippi River near St Louis 121lbs 2004 … 6 Steps to the Perfect Trigger Pull on Your Compound Bow, Southern-Style Fried Shellcrackers Recipe, The South's Best Waters for Trophy Catfish, Monster Blue Catfish Smashes Georgia Record, 10 Biggest Catfish World Records of All Time, International Game Fish Association's (IGFA), catch some of the world's biggest catfish, Understanding Reel Retrieve Ratios and How it Affects Lure Presentations, Catch More Bass on a Jerkbait in the Cooler Months, Action and Power Ratings- How to Choose the Right Bass Rod, Hunting Elk with the Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Hunter in 6.5 PRC. The largest catfish ever caught was landed on May 1, 2005 in a small village in Thailand called Chiang Khong. The first step is perfecting your release. In October of 2005, Brian Newberger landed the biggest flathead catfish ever caught in the Tar Heel State. Michael Cassidy and Paul Pluff talk about their elk hunt in New Mexico using the Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Hunter. What Is The Largest Catfish Ever Caught In World. The widely distributed channel cat is found in throughout most freshwater lakes, rivers, streams and ponds of the United States, southern Canada and northern Mexico. While using natural bait is the most popular method of fishing for this species, anglers targeting crappie and bass with artificial baits are often surprised by a large flathead taking their plug, jig or soft plastic lure. In addition to weighing nearly 650 pounds, this Mekong giant catfish was 9 feet (2.7 meters) long. After fighting the monster for nearly an hour, he boated and weighed the catfish at a … Experts have stated that a 646 pounder might be the world’s largest freshwater fish ever caught. 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