Whether he’s helping guide other anglers or fishing a big catfish tournament with his dad
Mike (on right), Jackson Mitchell (left) of Russellville, Alabama always has a big smile on his
face that shows how much he loves catfishing. (courtesy of Jackson Mitchell)
Why We Catfish: A Guest Editorial
by Jackson Mitchell
Like Father, Like Son: Love of Catfishing Runs Deep
I guess catfishing for me is a no brainer. As long as I can remember, I’ve been reeling in 50-pound-plus blue cats, and once you’ve felt the power of a fish that big, it’s hard to go chase a bass or crappie.
I’ve been fortunate growing up on the Tennessee River where trophy-sized catfish are not uncommon. I’ve also had one of the best teachers in the world, my dad Mike Mitchell, who owns SouthernCats Guide Service.
The tournament atmosphere is probably my favorite part of catfishing. I love the camaraderie and competition between the best teams in the country. The fact that you’re going after the biggest fish in the river and fishing against the best pushes you to be a better fisherman. You learn new things all the time. Traveling with the tournaments and having to learn new waters and new techniques makes me a better fisherman.
Watching the sport grow has also been something that motivates me to fish. From helping dad with clients or taking buddies who haven’t had the chance to experience the fight of a big fish and watching them do it for the first time is fulfilling. I get just as much joy watching their excitement as I would catching that fish myself.
