Georgia Record Blue Catfish Shatters Old Mark

The new record blue catfish catch was the first fishing record of 2017 in Georgia.

There are a multitude of catfish baits available on store shelves that catch trophy whiskerfish.

Richard Barrett of Axson, Ga., preferred a more direct approach.

Using a live channel catfish caught earlier in the day as bait, Barrett hooked and boated a huge blue catfish that beat the previous Georgia state record by more than 12 pounds.

• Get More: Catfishing on the Altmaha River
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According to the Georgia DNR, Barrett's big catch on Oct. 14 on the Alamaha River was certified at an even 93 pounds. The old record (caught in 2010) weighed 80 pounds, 4 ounces.

Barrett told WRD staff he hooked the record fish on the edge of a big hole and wasn't sure he'd be able to get it in the boat.

Wildlife Resouerces Division fisheries biologist Tim Bonvechio aged the fish at 14 years old, according to a news release.

It was the first state record fish of 2017 in Georgia.

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