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A Tennessee fisherman stunned state wildlife authorities on September 2022 by capturing a monstrous blue catfish weighing in well over 100 pounds.
While waiting for official certification, Burkhart’s catch from Sept. 24 will likely hold the brand-new Tennessee state record, shattering the formerly held for over 24 years.
Burkhart was fishing with his better half on a stretch of the Cumberland River in northern Tennessee when he set the hook on an apparently “decent” fish, Burkhart told News Channel 9.
The catfish swam towards Burkhart’s boat and after that removed on an aggressive first run, showing Burkhart was dealing with more than an average fish.
” It apparently saw me and recognized it was connected,” Burkhart informed News Channel 9.
“When it took off that time it nearly spooled me.”
He said the battle lasted roughly 45 minutes from hookset to net. From there, Burkhart drove to fulfill a good friend at the boat launch and weighed the catfish on an unofficial scale, where he found he had actually potentially climaxed.
A scale that is certified to be accurate is needed when considering a record-breaking catch.
Burkhart and TWRA agents focused on keeping the fish alive and healthy, so discovering a scale nearby that might deal with the weight of the fish was important.
” I practically didn’t get him accredited due to the fact that I didn’t desire that fish to die,” Burkhart said. “I wanted to do everything in our power to launch it.”
Burkhart’s fish measured an impressive 54-inches long with a 41-inch girth. Blue catfish are one of the biggest freshwater fish in North America, yet the average blue seldom exceeds 20-40 pounds.
” All my pals are probably more thrilled than I am,” Burkhart stated. “It simply really hasn’t set in for me yet.”
After weighing the behemoth blue, Burkhart drove the fish back to the Cumberland River, where he successfully released it.
People on the TWRA Facebook page applauded Burkhart for launching the fish and taking steps to maintain its health.
Tennessee anglers can lawfully harvest one catfish over 34 inches a day. However Burkhart launched the big blue, stating he ‘d keep the little ones but let his big catch live to “catch another day.”
