100 lb paddlefish in Grand Lake

[Johnsfolly]

Report of a giant paddlefish or spoonbill caught in Oklahoma. Over 100 lbs, that's  a big fish.

https://www.fieldandstream.com/fishing/oklahoma-anglers-catch-giant-paddlefish/?amp=#amp_tf=From %1%24s&aoh=16473389421490&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com

I haven't snagged one but I know that @Seth targets paddlefish. What's the largest paddlefish caught by an OAF member? 

[Seth]

80lbs is my PB. Caught it on March 15, 2009 on the James River arm of Tablerock.

[ollie]

Funny they reported that one. Only because I know others have been caught that big out of Grand and not long ago. I think Rusty was guiding him so he did a write up for him? Either it is a huge fish and there are more in there like that I'm sure. 

[Quillback]

I remember seeing in the paper when the Arkansas record was caught out of Beaver maybe 10 years ago or so.  It was over 100, guy caught it fishing for something else, one of those accidental snagging deals.  

[Seth]

Keystone Lake produces the biggest by far. I think it has produced the last five world records.Current record is 164 lbs.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2021/06/angler-shatters-paddlefish-world-record-by-landing-164-pound-beast

[fishinwrench]

I only went snagging twice, and I'm not even interested in it anymore, but I got a 101 on my first trip out.    Only had the rod in my hands for 10-15 minutes.    No fight at all.....it was just like dragging in a big piece of driftwood.  🙄

[ollie]

I've trying snagging a couple of times and that was only from the bank. I got bored with it. That and it seemed like a LOT of work for maybe one fish. I think I got tired and gave up the second time!  lol

[BillT]

I don't like eating them or cleaning them. I caught one and ate it and that cured me. Amazing fish though.

[Johnsfolly]

On 3/16/2022 at 12:33 AM, fishinwrench said:

I only went snagging twice, and I'm not even interested in it anymore, but I got a 101 on my first trip out.    Only had the rod in my hands for 10-15 minutes.    No fight at all.....it was just like dragging in a big piece of driftwood.  🙄

Photos or it didn't happen 😉!

I have eaten paddlefish and it's decent enough to keep one. I just want to catch one myself since they are in my mind a pretty cool species. Closest I came were my buddy's catches while he and I fished LOZ together a few years back. The large one went over 70 lbs. I don't recall what his other keeper weighed. I snagged a 5 lb blue cat (not photo so maybe I imagined it 😅) and bumped a few paddlefish.

Yeah he outfishes me on musky as well 😅

[Devan S.]

I've done it from the boat up James river years ago. Interesting to go out at midnight opening night for a first timer. 

Last year I did it in the tailwaters below Beaver dam from the bank with floodgates open. 

If I cared and had my choice from the bank at the tailwaters is far more fun.