Oklahoma Fisherman Lands Record-Breaking 95-Pound Catfish

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation / Facebook

A 95-pound catfish was reeled in by an Oklahoma angler, breaking a local record!

Bradly Courtwright caught the huge catfish while recently fishing in southeastern Oklahoma.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), the fish broke the local rod and reel record by 20 pounds and is the largest flathead ever caught in Pine Creek Reservoir.

A week ago, the ODWC posted about the massive catch on Facebook, revealing that Courtwright used a trotline to snag the fish.

A trotline is a sturdy fishing line with shorter, baited branch lines that are weighted to stay submerged under the water’s surface. It is typically used for catching catfish and crabs.

The ODWC also revealed that Courtwright was so close to breaking the unrestricted division record — only 11 pounds short of the one caught in 1977 in Wister Reservoir.

“Check out this flathead! Bradly Courtwright caught this MASSIVE 95 pound flathead catfish in Pine Creek Reservoir on a trotline. Bradly’s catch is the largest flathead ever caught in Pine Creek! This fish is almost 20 pounds larger than the rod and reel record…”

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The Facebook post’s comments section was filled with comments from people who were stunned by Courtwright’s impressive catch.

“That’s a giant. Congrats.”
“Nice job on a beautiful fish.”
“That’s a big old fish…congratulations.”
“Great fish!!!”
“What an impressive catch. A fish of a lifetime!”

The ODWC replied to a Facebook user in the comments who was wondering if the fish was released.

They simply revealed, “It was eaten.”

The department also commented to another user who said it was “disappointing” that the fish had been killed. Their reply read:

“Flatheads are a common species here in Oklahoma, and this one was legally harvested with a license that goes back to funding the resource! Bradly stayed within the limit AND used what was caught. This is a great catch all around,” with a thumbs-up emoji.

What a catch for Bradly Courtwright!

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Check out the video below to learn Mossy Oak University’s tips and tricks for trotline fishing.