For you catfish lovers...

Hit the water this morning in search of the elusive summer time slab. Figured I'd do a little spider rigging over some brush tops. Just got my poles set when my #8 pole rigged with a pink Arkie jig head and a Bailles special Mid South tube had a good thump. I quickly grabbed that foam handle on my 14 foot pole and got the best battle I've had from a fish in years!
After several minutes of line stripping and slow retrieving, I reached down and grabbed my trophy!!
Attachment 171048

First time I've ever caught a spoonie on a crappie pole

Wow. That would be a surprise.

Cool! What part of the river were you on?

Congratulations !!!

Foul hooked?

First time I caught one of those I liked to have freaked out. I'd never seen one before nor knew they existed. They are good to eat I found out. But the part I froze fell apart when thawed. Nice spoonbill.

Nice paddlefish!

Very cool! I was fly fishing below beaver dam back in college and felt something rub against the back of my legs. When I turned around it was a HUGE paddlefish. It was a surprise to say the least. I saw many more fishing up there over the years while in school.

Wow... Bet that was fun!!

That is a nice fish!!

Good to eat. No bones- they produce a high quality caviar. Good post.

Not a Catfish but like they said Paddlefish or some call Spoonbill. Not best eating but no bones. They are filter feeders , thanks for the post. Only way I ever caught any was snagging or nets.:highfive

It was a foul hook. Hooked it in the bill. Thought I had a huge gar.
I've eaten them before, but that was a pretty big fish. I took a couple of quick pics and let her go. I don't know what the growth rate of those fish is , but I'm sure it took a few years to get that big. Maybe she will live a few more years

Many times the Spoonbill will live to grow over 100 lbs!

Nice job Kent.

Ummmm one of the best eating fish that swims in ARkansas in my opinion....Fry it up. Congrat's

prehistoric looking creatures!!! foul hooked one years ago myself on Mellwood old river , dont think id want to eat one though!!!!

People have paid thousands to get a chance at a sword fish. Are you going to put it on the wall?

RCC, I'm a sport fisherman. I release my fish ! :Rofl