We have a rule in our boat, “If you put your rod-n-reel down to get a drink or something to eat, make sure it’s secure. Tie it down or hand it to someone!”
George Garcia was glad he secured his rod-n-reel last week.
He was fishing on the banks next to Pier 90 when his rod bent hard towards the water. Fishermen were catching catfish between 2 and 4 pounds from the banks. George baited his ½ ounce Carolina rigged with a piece of cut blood shad and threw the line out.
Within 15 minutes George had set the hook into something big. With the sounds of 18-wheelers and busy traffic going by on Highway 90, he began to fight a large fish. The week before, George had caught a 45-pound yellow bullhead catfish and now he was replaying the scene over again.
This time the fish was larger.
It was a mild 75 degrees and a slightly overcast morning. The water temperature was in the high 60’s.
George commented: “This is the time of year big catfish make their way into the upper estuary to feed and spend the winter. This fish was probably feeding on small bream, which gang-up around the boat launch. A small bream or perch is a big catfish’s favorite food. Now the big fish was feeding on my line.”
With sweat running down George’s forehead, the 50-pound braided line was helping George win the battle of bringing the fish on the bank. George reached into the water and pulled the big yellow bullhead onto the bank. This is the largest catfish to come out Sellers Canal in along time.
After taking a few pictures, George put the large 70-pound Bullhead into an ice chest. We both wondered the age of the big fish, so I contacted the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
My contact was Melissa Kaintz, Freshwater Biologist Manager. She informed me: “Without the ear bone or a piece of the spine, there was no accurate way to identify the age of the fish.” She asked me to send a photo of the fish and would try to determine the age.
A later e-mail from her confirmed it was a flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris).
WLF literature from studies conducted in Kansas and Northern Alabama estimate catfish at this length to range in age from 21 to 30 years. However, please keep in mind that the climate is different in south Louisiana and fish may have a faster growth rate.
Also keep in mind that we can use catfish spine and otoliths (ear bone) to determine the age of individual fish.
George plans to make Catfish Courtbouillon and have big fish fry.
Hog processing done right
I recently called Schexnayder’s Acadian Foods to process two wild hogs a neighbor, Grady Franchebois, had killed. Justin Schexnayder, Wayne Schexnayder’s nephew, answered the phone and told me they could take the wild game immediately.
Other processors in the area are backed up 10 days. I quickly made the trip to 205 23rd St. in Kenner to deliver the meat.
They offer a variety of processing options.
Their most popular wild game processing options are straight ground, ground venison w/pork, Cajun green onion(mild & hot), Italian, breakfast, smoked, bacon cheddar, jalapeno mozzarella, Smoke venison loaf, specialty cut and rapped.
They ask to call before you drop off or pick-up wild game.
Make sure your ice chest is clean, labeled, leak free, and provide sufficient ice. Every product is vacuum packed for freshness and Schexnayder’s Acadian Foods operate in a USDA approved facility.
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