Another huge trash fish

[Model70Man]

I took my son out on Loudon today for some bass fishing and met Kimberman out on the lake. We cruised around and tried some of our usual spots and found a couple new ones. Kimberman broke the ice catching the first bass and he let my son throw it back in. I hook up with the next 2 bass and let my son reel them in. He had a blast reeling them in. Then we go to this area that is about 7ft deep and cast into inches of water. I work my suspending crank bait and then get stuck.....or at least that's what I thought. I ended up foul hooking another monster flathead. It took me a while to get it in using a medium light rod. I have a love/hate relationship catching these fish. I hate catching them but I have fun reeling them in.

 

[TN Larry]

Nice, nothing like spending time on the water with the young ones.

 

[Spurhunter]

Good job getting your son hooked! As far as the catfish I agree. I don't want the slimy suckers in my boat but I catch a few every year on crankbaits and jig/pig.

 

[pressfit]

nice.. I dont always eat catfish,but when I do its a flathead!!

 

[EastTNHunter]

Nice one, Rick. You seem to catch a few of these on accident, don't you?

 

[Kimberman]

Nice one, Rick. You seem to catch a few of these on accident, don't you?

It happens just about every time we bass fish, and not just dinks! I just wish he could "accidentally" catch some huge bass when we are tourney fishing.

 

[rsimms]

I will ignore the fact that you called this a "trash fish," yet you are smiling like a cheshire cat. :whistle:

 

[easy45]

Nice cat, nothing about them are trash, a flathead ranks very high for me as the best eating fish

 

[mathews338]

I would rather bass fish but if I get one of those it is just a nice bonus because they are one of the best fish to eat IMO.

 

[Inkstainz]

Those are some great eating fish. I love catching them that big!

 

[Inkstainz]

I just noticed you called this a trash fish. These are the best eating catfish IMO and in no way would I ever consider this a trash fish.

 

[num1medic]

I just noticed you called this a trash fish. These are the best eating catfish IMO and in no way would I ever consider this a trash fish.

x2

 

[SES]

I would love to accidentally catch one!! I've tried to catch them on purpose and never caught one.

 

[Model70Man]

All catfish to me are trash fish. I will never eat one. I don't care how it it prepared or where it was caught. They are nasty. They are fun to catch however, and when they are this big a picture is a must or else it's a fish story.

 

[ROUGH COUNTRY HUNTER]

nice catch

 

[Dbllunger]

I'll eat a catfish over a green fish any day. That being said, crappie are my favorite.

 

[mike243]

That's a nice catch,The flat heads like live food & that's why you will catch them fishing for other types of fish, many claim they are the best eating no matter how big they get, other catfish over a few pounds can be strong flavored ,I wouldn't eat 1 from Loudon due to advisory's but fun to catch

 

[Inkstainz]

All catfish to me are trash fish. I will never eat one. I don't care how it it prepared or where it was caught. They are nasty. They are fun to catch however, and when they are this big a picture is a must or else it's a fish story.

To each his own but I bet your in the minority

 

[Model70Man]

All catfish to me are trash fish. I will never eat one. I don't care how it it prepared or where it was caught. They are nasty. They are fun to catch however, and when they are this big a picture is a must or else it's a fish story.

To each his own but I bet your in the minority

I don't care if I'm in the minority or not when it comes to what I eat. You probably wouldn't eat a catfish that big if you knew what kind of water I caught the fish in. There is an advisory to not eat any catfish in the lake. Most people on the east side will not eat catfish out of Melton Hill, Watts Bar, or Loudon due to the high levels of contamination.

They are fun to catch and that's about it for me. I offered to give it away to some guys watching me reel it in and they couldn't say heck no fast enough.