Aside from the hillbillies that catch these things with their hands, I didn’t think the “big-uns” had any natural predators (j/k of course)…this pic says otherwise. 
 

Note that’s a regular kayak paddle. Nothing fancy, standard size. Also note that’s this pic is pectoral fin/collar area and forward only….

 

Alligator?  You have those in bama?

 

Maybe a prop sliced it up?

Oh it’s a gator for sure. I even know which one and where she lives. That was a big catfish though…

I'm one of those somewhat natural catfish predators. That was a good one no doubt.

Turtles will also eat them after they are dead 

10 hours ago, gim said:

Alligator?  You have those in bama?

 

Maybe a prop sliced it up?

they shot the world record gator right near where I camp in Alabama. Just a little feller. The lady shot it with a 20 gauge, first time it took off like wild and dragged their boat into a stump 

 

 

https://www.fieldandstream.com/stories/hunting/predator-hunting/story-behind-sci-world-record-alligator

A 15 1/2 ft gator in a 17 ft boat?

 

3 hours ago, Fishlegs said:

A 15 1/2 ft gator in a 17 ft boat?

 

I’ve had them swim by a 14 foot boat parallel and they were the same length. Also heard them growling and got a serious case of the heebie jeebies . Crank the volume and enjoy 

 

I seriously don’t like catching cats and around here there is an over population of blue cats.  6lb test and a Ned rig.  We had to chase it down a couple of times. They roll and slime your line and the net and the boat carpet.  I will say, prepared properly, catfish are a fine eating fish.  As for the gators, we heard them growling in February when we were on Headwaters. 

I was born and raised eating catfish in MS. The best catfish in the world (farm raised) is from the MS Delta. Grew up eating at catfish cabins every summer Friday night eating all you can eat catfish with the entire extended family.  If you ever find yourself in/around the Jackson MS area, you owe it to yourself to drive just a few mins south of Jackson on Hwy 49 to Jerry’s Fish House in Florence. It’s an igloo “shaped” building that is known countrywide for its catfish. 

Turtles will clean a big catfish carcass pretty quick. I find some big floaters every year and there’s always a few big snappers working them over.

Love fishing for catfish... The wife is now hooked and basically wants to go anytime we have free time...