Tucker Mullinax’s Uncle Johnny helps him lift his 78-pound blue
cat for a photo. (credit: courtesy of Johnny Mullinax)
Birthday Surprise
Submitted by Robert Montgomery
Tucker Mullinax Lands a Monster Catfish
Some kids celebrate their birthdays with cake and presents. Tucker Mullinax celebrated his 12th birthday with the catch of a lifetime—a monster catfish pulled straight from the Missouri River.
On March 11, 2025, Tucker and his uncle, Johnny Mullinax, both from Pacific, Missouri, set out for an afternoon of fishing near the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. With rods rigged and anticipation high, they anchored near a dike, dropping lines baited with cut shad into 10-15 feet of water.
“It was almost 1 p.m. when it hit,” Johnny recalled. “Fishing off the back of the boat, the rod bent over hard, and Tucker jumped on it. He handled it like a pro.”
After an intense battle, Tucker hauled in the 78-pound catfish—a moment neither he nor his uncle will ever forget. The grin on the birthday boy’s face said it all.
For Tucker, it wasn’t just about the size of the fish. It was about the thrill of the fight, the time spent with family and a birthday memory that will last a lifetime. Some kids get toys—Tucker got a catfish story he’ll be telling for years to come.
