Not surprising in one bit.  There is a guide on the Delaware from the NJ side that is putting clients on multiple 40+ a year.  I think they have cracked the 50 mark too, but I'm not sure.  I don't see that standing for too many years at this rate.

Check it for weights? I can’t say I am a fan of catfishing. Hats off to those who have the patience to do it. My buddy texted me about a month ago before it became official. My guess is it came from the aldred stretch.

I have an acquaintance who scuba dives. He has done some exploring in the Susquehanna River from the Binghamton NY area to the Owego NY area. He stated that there are catfish in these areas that would easily go 50 lbs. The largest I have ever seen in this area was 20+ lbs....I guess that they got to the 50lb size by NOT getting caught.

Makes me sad to see a large freshwater apex predator like that get killed. Probably took a lot of years to reach that size. It's darn sure not any better in Texas but the fish are bigger. Keep a few of the smaller ones for eating and let those big breeders go back and keep adding to the population.

FM

1 hour ago, Fishingmickey said:

Makes me sad to see a large freshwater apex predator like that get killed. Probably took a lot of years to reach that size. It's darn sure not any better in Texas but the fish are bigger. Keep a few of the smaller ones for eating and let those big breeders go back and keep adding to the population.

FM

 

Flatheads are invasive on the susky and delaware.  I'm pretty sure on the delaware you are advised to kill all that you catch the same as snakeheads.  It won't change anything, but I think that's the policy.  Yes they are an apex predator, but they're an apex predator that's taking over.  No need to feel bad for someone taking one out of the pool.

From what I understand Flatheads are more predatory than other Cats.  I've caught several Bass fishing, as well as several Blues.  I wonder how long the record 66 pound flathead was.  I caught a flathead last year that was 46 inches long.  It bottomed out my 50 pound scale.   46 inches long with 33 1/2 girth.  I guessed it to be 53 pounds.   I had my net out until I saw how big it was.  

 

Edit:  I'm not in PA.  The NC record is 78 pounds.