Catfish Connections – April 2023

Personal Bests

During the last week in March and on April Fools’ Day, my wife Sue and I fished the first National Crappie League, Division 1 tournament on Weiss Lake in Alabama. Although we were using Garmin Live technologies, a large flathead catfish separated from the bottom and hit my bait. It was game on.

My 14-foot B’n’M Pro Staff trolling rod and 10-pound Gamma line were straining from this large beast. Surge after surge, I thought I was going to lose it. But the fishing gods were on my side, and, after trying to fit this 20-pound-plus flathead in our Monster crappie net several times, I landed it in the boat. I have included a picture so you can actually see this big fish. It was my personal best flathead catfish as I don’t normally pursue them.

So, if you are a professional catfish angler, you will say, OK, that really isn’t a massive fish in comparison to some who catch them much, much bigger than this. But to me, this personal best was a big, fun happening.

I say that to say this. Catching a big fish of any kind that is a personal best is a glorious moment. It brings us joy, alleviates stress sometimes and, oh yes, creates stories of the big one that didn’t get away and how big it is. It also creates picture moments, life event memories and so much more. Look at a child who catches their first fish and see all the lights in their eyes and on their faces. These moments are usually never forgotten. It is their personal best at that time.

Create your moments and catch your next personal best catfish. Spread that to family, friends and others. It will live a lifetime.

God bless.

Dan Dannenmueller, Publisher