STEWART COUNTY, Tenn. — This was one whopper of a catch.
A Tennessee man caught a 118-pound, 7-ounce blue catfish Saturday in the Cumberland River that could break the state record for the biggest catfish caught in Tennessee, WKRN-TV reported.
Wildlife officials said Burkhart used skipjack as bait and pulled in the fish on a 30-pound test line.
According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Micka Burkhart caught the huge fish shortly after 12:30 p.m. CDT.
The catfish measured 54 inches long and had a 41-inch girth, WKRN reported. If the fish’s weight is verified and certified by the TWRA, it will set a state record.
The current record is 112 pounds, set on June 7, 1998, by Robert E. Lewis, who also caught his fish on the Cumberland River.
Officials said Burkhart weighed and measured the big fish before releasing it back into the Cumberland River, WKRN reported.