Possible World Record Flathead Eaten- APAassociated Press
Rumors have reached a fevered pitch around the coastal community of Anahuac, Texas recently concerning the fabled catch of a flathead catfish that may topple the existing World record of 143.2lb. AP local reporters have researched tales and pictures circulated recently of a monster flathead catfish taken from the Trinity River near Anahuac Texas with claims of a 193.6lb fish. While details are still somewhat sketchy, our reporters were able to track down and interview one of the lucky fishermen. Phillip W Ahem told reporters that he and his long lime fishing partner, William H. Landum had indeed caught the fish on Sept 10th while trying to take an American Alligator and that the weight was correct.
Ahem reports that on opening night of alligator season, it was customary for he and his buddy to set a few hooks along the muddy banks of the Trinity River in hopes of snagging an Alligator worthy of entering into the Worlds largest alligator tournament at the GatorFest held annually in the Fort Anahuac park. After hooking the large reptiles, one of the outdoorsmen would pull the "gator" to the surface while the other quickly dispatched it with a 410 shotgun. The pair have reportedly supplemented their income for years by selling alligator skins and commercial fishing. The evening before this fateful night, four lines baited with fish heads were hung. According to Ahem, he hung a line with a 14 o hook about two feet above the water in his old standby spot as he had seen a large target in the area. "I could hardly wait for daybreak", says Ahem.
Upon arrival at the sight the next morning, Ahem's line was down. "That's a good sign!" says the fisherman. "The grass was all worn down and the line was tight". Ahem knew something was amiss immediately though as he attempted to pull the "gator" to the surface as it just kept diving for the bottom and never tried to get air as alligators normally do. After a 15 minute struggle the beast finally showed its head. Ahem couldn't believe his eyes. He wasn't looking at a trophy alligator but a monster flathead catfish had taken the bait instead. "I have fished all my life and never seen a catfish anywhere near the size of this one" says the wide-eyed fisherman. "We didn't have a gator but we figured that fish would pay a few bills". The fish was then reportedly loaded and hauled to a seafood market in nearby Sea Brook where the men customarily sold their catfish. Thats where things took an odd turn. After weighing the fish in, they were told by the owner that it is illegal to sell this particular species of catfish in Texas. Ahem said they just took it home and had a fish fry at the local VFW.
Our next step was to contact Texas Fish and Wildlife concerning the record. Inland Fisheries spokesperson, Ima Joquin, Had heard about the fish and hinted that the record might still be valid ,even though the fish had been eaten, if it was weighted on certified scales with independent witnesses. Ms Joquin said it would have been nice to have exact measurements but the only thing required for the record is a certified weight.
Our next stop was Seabrook and after an exhaustive search of the seafood markets there, we were able to interview a dock hand that claimed to have weighed the fish for the fishermen. The unnamed gentleman said that the couple were a regular there and they often provided bait for the fishermen and they would return to sell their catch. The dock worker said on the evening before, he had given them several fish heads including the head of a goliath grouper that Ahem had caught the fish on. The worker said that the fish weighed at least 193.6 lbs as he weighed it ,"On the scale we buy with , not the sell scale" ; indicating there might be a difference even though both scales were certified by USDA. It appears that the weight was witnessed by both fishermen, the dock worker, and the business owner but the dock worker said there had been some kind of conflict with the owner and that the fishermen and long time business associates were no longer welcome there.
Attempts to interview "Tien", the owner of SEABROOK SEAFOOD MASSAGE AND SPA were met with anger. Xium Tein Wong said she had often provided bait for the fishermen but they were not welcome any longer. She stated, "Many time I give them head. Why they no give me fish!". Apparently the owner felt that since the fish was illegal to sell, it should be given to her as payment for the alligator bait.
For now, the fate of the record for the largest catfish in Texas will remain unclear. One thing that is clear is the fishermen have become legends. The next time an angler latches onto a true monster catfish, he will think..."Willy Landum and Phil Ahem!"
Note
While this picture has been circulate with the story on social media. It is uncertain if this is in fact the fish in question as he appears to be missing the two shotgun blasts given the fish by Willy before realizing it wasn't an alligator.
Rumors have reached a fevered pitch around the coastal community of Anahuac, Texas recently concerning the fabled catch of a flathead catfish that may topple the existing World record of 143.2lb. AP local reporters have researched tales and pictures circulated recently of a monster flathead catfish taken from the Trinity River near Anahuac Texas with claims of a 193.6lb fish. While details are still somewhat sketchy, our reporters were able to track down and interview one of the lucky fishermen. Phillip W Ahem told reporters that he and his long lime fishing partner, William H. Landum had indeed caught the fish on Sept 10th while trying to take an American Alligator and that the weight was correct.
Ahem reports that on opening night of alligator season, it was customary for he and his buddy to set a few hooks along the muddy banks of the Trinity River in hopes of snagging an Alligator worthy of entering into the Worlds largest alligator tournament at the GatorFest held annually in the Fort Anahuac park. After hooking the large reptiles, one of the outdoorsmen would pull the "gator" to the surface while the other quickly dispatched it with a 410 shotgun. The pair have reportedly supplemented their income for years by selling alligator skins and commercial fishing. The evening before this fateful night, four lines baited with fish heads were hung. According to Ahem, he hung a line with a 14 o hook about two feet above the water in his old standby spot as he had seen a large target in the area. "I could hardly wait for daybreak", says Ahem.
Upon arrival at the sight the next morning, Ahem's line was down. "That's a good sign!" says the fisherman. "The grass was all worn down and the line was tight". Ahem knew something was amiss immediately though as he attempted to pull the "gator" to the surface as it just kept diving for the bottom and never tried to get air as alligators normally do. After a 15 minute struggle the beast finally showed its head. Ahem couldn't believe his eyes. He wasn't looking at a trophy alligator but a monster flathead catfish had taken the bait instead. "I have fished all my life and never seen a catfish anywhere near the size of this one" says the wide-eyed fisherman. "We didn't have a gator but we figured that fish would pay a few bills". The fish was then reportedly loaded and hauled to a seafood market in nearby Sea Brook where the men customarily sold their catfish. Thats where things took an odd turn. After weighing the fish in, they were told by the owner that it is illegal to sell this particular species of catfish in Texas. Ahem said they just took it home and had a fish fry at the local VFW.
Our next step was to contact Texas Fish and Wildlife concerning the record. Inland Fisheries spokesperson, Ima Joquin, Had heard about the fish and hinted that the record might still be valid ,even though the fish had been eaten, if it was weighted on certified scales with independent witnesses. Ms Joquin said it would have been nice to have exact measurements but the only thing required for the record is a certified weight.
Our next stop was Seabrook and after an exhaustive search of the seafood markets there, we were able to interview a dock hand that claimed to have weighed the fish for the fishermen. The unnamed gentleman said that the couple were a regular there and they often provided bait for the fishermen and they would return to sell their catch. The dock worker said on the evening before, he had given them several fish heads including the head of a goliath grouper that Ahem had caught the fish on. The worker said that the fish weighed at least 193.6 lbs as he weighed it ,"On the scale we buy with , not the sell scale" ; indicating there might be a difference even though both scales were certified by USDA. It appears that the weight was witnessed by both fishermen, the dock worker, and the business owner but the dock worker said there had been some kind of conflict with the owner and that the fishermen and long time business associates were no longer welcome there.
Attempts to interview "Tien", the owner of SEABROOK SEAFOOD MASSAGE AND SPA were met with anger. Xium Tein Wong said she had often provided bait for the fishermen but they were not welcome any longer. She stated, "Many time I give them head. Why they no give me fish!". Apparently the owner felt that since the fish was illegal to sell, it should be given to her as payment for the alligator bait.
For now, the fate of the record for the largest catfish in Texas will remain unclear. One thing that is clear is the fishermen have become legends. The next time an angler latches onto a true monster catfish, he will think..."Willy Landum and Phil Ahem!"
Note
While this picture has been circulate with the story on social media. It is uncertain if this is in fact the fish in question as he appears to be missing the two shotgun blasts given the fish by Willy before realizing it wasn't an alligator.
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