Notable Catches

I often get asked what are my biggest catches. Trophy fish, to me, isn't really all that important. I won't refuse a big fish, but I don't specifically go looking for one either. Certainly, understanding and patterning trophy fish is extremely important and I'm not taking away any of that, but getting everything just right on the day that you happen to be fishing is a huge dose of luck.

I much prefer species hunting where a lot of research, preparation and thoughtful timing have been used to TARGET particular species. I find that with species hunting you can sort out a lot of the variables to make one much more successful. That's why the hunt for the trophies has not been exciting to me as the species hunt.

Anyways, in saying so, here are some notable catches :)

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Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum)
7', 200lb -- estimate
Dec 18, 2013

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Lemon Shark (Negaprion brevirostris)
6' -- estimate
Mar 12, 2017

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Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)
120lb -- on the scale
May 15, 2007

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Samsonfish (Seriola hippos)
40kg -- captain's estimate
Dec 04, 2010

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Redtail Catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus)
40kg -- guide's estimate (it looks smaller than 40kg, doesn't it?)
Nov 30, 2010

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Mekong Giant Catfish (Pangasianodon gigas)
70lbs -- guide's estimate
Nov 30, 2010

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White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)
59" fork length -- measured
Aug 17, 2009

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Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula)
63" total length -- measured
Jun 23, 2013

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Bat Eagle Ray (Myliobatis californica)
43" wing span -- measured
Jul 29, 2012

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Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
30.5lb -- on the scale
Jan 02, 2013

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Giant Barb (Catlocarpio siamensis)
25lb -- guide's estimate
Nov 30, 2010

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Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus)
36" total length -- estimate
Jun 30, 2013

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Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
34" total length, 24" girth -- measured
Aug 14, 2010

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Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)
29.5" total length, 22" girth -- measured
Nov 09, 2005

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Gag Grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis)
12lb -- guide's estimate
Apr 08, 2011

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Common Snook (Centropomus undecimalis)
33" total length -- guide's estimate
Apr 08, 2011

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Northern Pike (Esox lucius)
33" total length -- measured
Sep 10, 2006

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Rainbow Trout / Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
12lb -- estimate
Apr 26, 2014

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Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens)
10lb+ -- estimate
May 04, 2014

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Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy)
32" -- measured
Aug 02, 2015

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Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush)
28" total length -- measured
Feb 09, 2013

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Walleye (Sander vitreus)
26" total length -- measured
Nov 26, 2006

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Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)
4lb -- estimate
Aug 30, 2013

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