River Produces Record Catfish

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Here’s How Michigan Collects Eggs for Future Stockings

It’s simple math really: Zero eggs equals zero fish for future stocking programs.

So, the spring walleye and steelhead egg collections by the Michigan DNR are critical components of the strategy for maintaining world-class fishing opportunities in the Great Lakes State.

How to Choose Swimbaits Based upon Design, Action and Vibration

Nearly fifty years have now passed since the first paddletail swimbaits splashed down in U.S. waters, the earliest designs having likely originated in France. Today, paddletails have almost singlehandedly rewritten the rules of soft plastics engagement. Fans of catching bass, crappie, walleye and inshore slams nearly always cast these ingenious tail-driven baits, each version capable of different retrieve speeds, actions and the almighty thump.

New Gear

Gamakatsu has announced a proprietary new finish for their most popular hook styles.

Record-breaking CatfishNever doubt Rodney Akey when he says hes gonna catch you a big one.

Just ask his buddy, Will Skalla.

Will likes his bluegill fishing, but I prefer bigger fish, said Akey, a catfish specialist. I told him that bluegills were for women and children, and that if he would come with me Id show him what big fish look like.

So, on May 22, the Niles anglers headed to the St. Joseph River below Berrien Springs dam. About 8 p.m., Akeys line began to move. He let the fish run a bit, set the hook and the battle was on.

Thirty minutes later, the two men wrestled a 49-pound, 8-ounce flathead catfish onto the bank.

It shattered the Michigan state record of 47-8 that was set in 1943. It might have weighed more, but it lay in tub of water overnight and died before Akey could find certified scales that were strong enough to handle it.

Akey drove the fish to the DNR fisheries station in Plainwell, Mich. the next day to get it certified and the record confirmed by state officials.

I knew it was a state record when I caught it,