NEW STATE ROD & REEL
RECORD BLUE CATFISH
By Pro Staff

1-20-04
For Immediate Release
New State Rod and Reel Record Blue Catfish at TFFC
Contact Hatchery Manager Jim Matthews 903-670-2237

ATHENS, Texas— The cat is now out of the bag, Cody Mullennix of Howe, Texas caught a new state rod and reel record blue catfish from Lake Texoma Friday, January 16. The leviathan weighed 121 pounds, 8 ounces, and was 58 inches in length, shattering the previous rod and reel record of 100 pounds also caught from Lake Texoma in 2000. Mullennix was fishing from the bank with a surf rod and 20-pound test line using shad for bait when he caught the giant fish.

Mullennix donated the fish to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, where it is doing just fine, according to hatchery manager Jim Matthews. The catfish is acclimating to its new environment and is being treated for stress—standard procedure for new fish at TFFC. TFFC exhibits curator Genie Hilton hopes to have the record catfish ready for public display within two weeks. Currently the fish is isolated in its own tank and responding well to treatment. Visitors are able to view the catfish during the regularly scheduled tram tour Tues.-Friday at 11:30 a.m., Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and Sunday 2:30 p.m.

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is an innovative aquatic nature center and hatchery complex operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife located 75 miles SE of Dallas on FM 2495 four miles east of Athens.

Attractions include 300,000 gallons of aquariums, daily dive show and on-site fishing. Hours are Tues.-Sat. 9am-4pm and Sunday 1-4pm. adults, $5.50, seniors $4.50, children 4-12 $3.50. For information go on-line at www.tpwd.state.tx..us and click on fishing or call the Center at 903-676-2277.

PICTURE COMING

The measuring stick says it all. This blue catfish caught at Lake Texoma on January 16 is a new state rod and reel record for blue catfish. It weighs 121 pounds, 8 ounces and is 58 inches long. It is now on limited public display at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. The giant blue eclipses the former record of 100 pounds also caught from Lake Texoma in 2000.