NC State Record Channel Catfish Ripe For Catching

In May 2005, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission invalidated the long-held state record channel catfish. The old record held by Pete Paine since 1971 was decertified after a photograph of his catch was published in Wildlife of North Carolina magazine and several readers correctly identified the fish as a flathead catfish.

At that time, North Carolina set the minimum weight for a new state record at 20 pounds. Since then, however, no one has been able to catch a 20 pound channel catfish in North Carolina and after eliminating the minimum weight requirement, several state records have been turned in. The current record is 18.5 pounds caught by Wesley Trucks on the Neuse River. Wesley was using cut eel as bait and since this species of catfish apparently does not have keen eyesight, the bigger and smellier the bait the better.

This may be your best chance ever at catching a new state record - Good luck and happy fishing.