Catching Big Blue Catfish lure fishermen from everywhere
By Mark Boehler For Exploring Pickwick
Longtime Pickwick anglers Clint Newton and Rick Matlock are always after huge catfish that lurk in the waters below Pickwick Landing Dam and along the Tennessee River. But on one particular day, the two went after 1 to 5 pound “eaters” for a political fish fry for one of Matlock’s friends. They caught 67 catfish that day, but the fishermen also hauled in two big surprises. Matlock, a retired fishing guide at Pickwick, caught a 70-pound blue catfish. Newton caught a 35-pound blue. After a photo session, the two fish were released. This is the norm at Pickwick, home of some of the biggest blue and flathead catfish in the country. Newton, a 34-year-old Pickwick resident who has been going after big fish for seven years, got off to a good start last year. He hauled in an 80-pound blue on April 8 just north of Shiloh National Military Park on the Tennessee River. Two other April finds just below the dam were a 47-pound blue and 45-pound flathead. Newton believes there are world record 150-pound blue catfish lurking in the Tennessee River below Pickwick Landing Dam. The Pickwick fisherman has caught three blue cats the past four years over 100 pounds. Whatever the big fish stories may reveal, the fact remains fishermen from around the world seek the big blue.
Clint Newton of Bruton Branch shows a 33-pound blue catfish he caught below the dam on April 19, 2016. He uses fresh cut skipjack when going after the big fish.
Exploring Pickwick
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