I caught this guy on a panfish/small bass rod/reel combo in my neighbors pond. I was using 8lb mono (Suffix I believe), and a no. 3 or 4 Eagle Claw hook with Catfish Charlies pre-molded Blood bait.
It took me a couple minutes to reel this guy in, I had my drag tightened down all the way, but he kept taking my line out like it was nothing (I didn't really expect to catch a fish this size on that rig) This sucker broke my line as I was pulling him ashore. I had to bare hand him up to the bank. As I was removing the hook from his mouth, the hook snapped in two.
My S.W.A.G.(scientific wild ass guess) is that he weighed every bit of 12 pounds... I threw him back so he could get even bigger, if you are curious...
It's my biggest cat so far. Since this fish I've gone out and purchased some proper catfish equipment! CatMaxx Baitcaster and Ugly Stick...
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