Lucas Rudloff (left) and Capt. Grant Nisbet, owner of Catching Ozarks Guide Service,
with the monster blue cat they caught in Lake of the Ozarks this March.
Why We Catfish: A Guest Editorial
by Grant Nisbit
Monster blue cat a surprise catch on Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks.
Here at CatfishNOW.com, we love hearing stories of memorable catches. This one came to us in mid-March from Capt. Grant Nisbet, owner of Catching Ozarks Guide Service on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. A desire to experience a day like the one described here is why many of us catfish.
A remarkable event unfolded in the tranquil waters of the Ozarks on the evening of March 16, 2024, as Capt. Grant Nisbet, owner of Catching Ozarks Guide Service, together with his buddy Lucas Rudloff, reeled in a catfish of unprecedented size.
The adventure began in the late afternoon, with Nisbet and Rudloff embarking on their journey equipped with the knowledge that this is the prime time for some hungry catfish. Tying on some large bluegill chunk bait, the pair navigated the waters, expecting a lively night of angling, but it was slower than they had anticipated.
As dusk approached, Nisbet was pretty sure it was going to be an eventful night. But even a seasoned angler like him was caught off guard.
“The catfish were biting right around dusk,” he said. “But I didn’t expect this. It was the biggest fish I have ever seen at the lake—a once-in-a-lifetime catch.”
Around 7:30 p.m., “One of our lines went off with such force, we instantly knew we had hooked into something extraordinary,” Nisbet said. Rudloff quickly took command, engaging in a delicate dance to secure the behemoth on their 100-pound braided line.
After a tense five-minute battle, the anglers were astounded by the magnitude of their catch. The blue catfish, so colossal in size, presented a challenge just to hoist onto the dock.
“We were in awe at the sight of it,” Rudloff said. “It took both of us to manage a proper hold.”
Weighing in on the conservative side at 65 pounds, and potentially topping 70, this catch is a testament to the hidden giants residing in the Ozarks. The fish, identified as a female potentially aged 20 years, was quickly celebrated with photographs before being respectfully released back to her aquatic domain, ensuring the legacy of the Ozarks’ waterways continues.
This event not only underscores the unparalleled excitement of fishing in the Ozarks but also highlights Catching Ozarks Guide Service’s commitment to conservation and the sport of fishing.
Grant Nisbet and his guide partner Trey Schroeder have a profound connection with the water. Their dedication to providing memorable fishing adventures shines brightly with this remarkable catch.
Discover the magic of Ozarks fishing yourself by connecting with Catching Ozarks Guide Service at CatchingOzarks.com.
