In the Land of Giants

By Keith “Catfish” Sutton, Editor

If you’ve ever tangled with a catfish so big it makes your rod groan, your heart race and your knees wobble, you already know why we’re dedicating a whole issue to monster cats. These fish aren’t just big; they’re rare, challenging and downright addictive. Once you hook one, you’ll spend the rest of your fishing life chasing the next.

This month, we’re diving deep into the world of trophy-class blues, flatheads and channel cats, the kind that stretch the scales to triple digits. In “The Science Behind Trophy Catfish Fisheries,” Anietra Hamper digs into what makes certain waters produce true giants and why keeping those fisheries healthy matters to all of us.

For the river rats who love prowling tangled timber, Rodney Crimm’s “Improving Your Success by Fishing Wood Structure in Rivers” offers a masterclass in finding and fooling the bruisers that lurk among submerged logs, fallen trees and root wads.

Then there’s Brent Frazee’s story of the new 121.1-pound Kansas state-record blue, a fish that rewrote the history books and proved once again that the Midwest has its share of freshwater heavyweights.

And Madalyn Roberts spotlights Elmore County, Alabama, where world-class fishing meets a brand-new draw: The Fields at 17 Springs. This multi-phase complex blends sports, community and the outdoors, proving you can hook visitors with far more than a rod and reel.

Whether you’re chasing your first 50-pounder or you’ve already got the scars and stories to prove your mettle, this issue is your playbook for landing the cats that make legends.

Tight lines and strong knots! Because when the big one bites, you’d better be ready.

Keith “Catfish” Sutton, Editor