Georgia man lands huge fish from Ocmulgee River

By MASHAUN D. SIMON

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A 76-year-old man walked away from a fishing trip with a huge catch – a 103-pound flathead catfish.

Photo courtesy of the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division This 103-lbs catfish was caught on the Ocmulgee River near Warner Robins in August 2009 by Mr. Tom Head, age 76. Caught on a jug line, the fish is not eligible for state record status (a jug line is not considered sport tackle) even though it bests the current state record by 20 pounds.

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Tom Head was fishing on the Ocmulgee River earlier this week when he caught the record size fish, which was over 57 inches long and more than 41 inches in girth, with a head that was almost 16 inches wide.

Unfortunately, it was not a record catch.

According to the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, even though Head’s fish beats the current state record weight by 20 pounds, it was caught using a method called “jug fishing,” which is not considered eligible for state record status.

To be eligible, it must be landed using sport fishing tackle, said the DNR. Bush hooks, trotlines, jugs, baskets, and nets, while popular methods of fishing, are not considered sporting tackle.

The Ocmulgee River, considered perfect for canoeing and fishing, flows from the piedmont region of Georgia below Lake Jackson to Macon, then winds southeast through the upper coastal plain where it joins the Altamaha River east of Lumber City, said the DNR.

For more information on flathead catfishing in Georgia, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com .