texasanglersclub

Monster Catfish Time Capsule

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 19:02:15 GMT

First Annual Monster Catfish Tournament

Hunt County | Lake Tawkoni, Texas —

The First Annual Monster Catfish Tournament took place on March 8, 2008, in chilly 25-degree weather at beautiful Lake Tawakoni in East Texas. The morning began slowly as our guides changed the rendezvous point for the tournament at the last minute to reduce travel time on the lake. When we arrived at the staging area, you could feel the excitement in the cold air as complimentary caps and t-shirts were handed out. We were meant to be on the water at 7:00 am sharp, but one of our catfish guides was delayed by Quinlan’s finest, pushing the start closer to 8 o’clock. No one seemed to mind too much as the temperature slowly rose into the upper twenty’s.

Bundle Up

The trick to staying warm is layers—yes, layers of clothing. It’s simple math: when it’s freezing cold, and the boat is traveling around 30 mph, the wind chill quickly becomes unbearable if you’re unprepared. Gloves, goggles, and toboggans are a must. Catfish King Contender Alberto “Anglin” Juarez, who recently moved from Utah to Texas, said, “I thought Texas was hot, not bone-chilling cold!” He was told, “Just wait a little; it will change.” Sure enough, it was a gorgeous 60 degrees on old Lake Tawakoni by the tourney’s end.

Many of the contestants did very well as others suffered crushing humiliation dealt out by the old lake. On Boat One, up-and-coming Catfish King Contender Fernando “the Rookie” Posada was unstoppable as “Dark Horse” Freddy Perez struggled to keep pace. On this day, however, “the Rookie” would not hold back as he took no prisoners and landed a forty-pound “reel-burner” winning the “Grand Cat Master Championship.” Jimmy “Catfish Junkie” Scott also had a great day landing several monsters.

Catfish veteran Scott “Bait’n Hook” Brown from Boat Five landed a nice twenty-pounder, which motivated the anglers on his boat for the rest of the tournament. Boat Two, led by AJ “Hawg-Man” Rodriguez, didn’t catch many; he only caught one, but it was a nice “drag-peeler!” On the same boat, Francisco “El Techero” Gonzalez reeled in another 32-pound “drag-peeler.” Suffice it to say, he was seen rubbing down his arms for the rest of the day.

This year’s Catfish King Award is awarded to Pat “Salty Dawg” Hickey from Boat Four for his massive forty-two-pound catch. The story goes that long-time fishing buddy Sam Sadler was so busy reeling in a smaller fish that he invited “Salty Dawg” to take one of his poles, completely unaware that a mammoth catfish was on the other end! Oh well, thanks for playing, Sammy; as the old saying goes, “that’s the one that got away!”

Catfish Blues

For the contestants who didn’t catch anything, at least they got to hang out with their friends. As for Boat Three, who unfortunately got skunked, they have earned the first-ever “Wayward Angler Award.” For those on Boat Three, there’s no reason to fret, despair, or fall into depression, as rookie sensation Fernando Posada has set up free training classes for Wayward Anglers. Out of the goodness of his heart, “the Rookie” will teach advanced courses in finding, baiting, and catching monster catfish.

Special Thanks

We extend our gratitude to JC “Southpaw” Rodriguez, Jackie “Kitty-Hunter” Murphy, Steve “Peanut” Nelson, Tommy “Tom-Cat” Blanzedt, and Ruben “Rusty-Hook” Amesquita for their efforts in making this first Monster Catfish Tournament a reality. In total, over fifty catfish were caught during the event, especially focusing on those weighing more than 15 pounds. These larger fish were carefully returned to the lake, allowing them to continue growing and supporting the ecosystem. The tournament was a resounding success, enjoyed by all participants, and we are hopeful for many more events like this in the future to promote community spirit and a love for fishing.

I Almost Died Casting the Net

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:46:55 GMT

Got to have that shad!

Grayson County | Lake Texoma, Texas —

Most people on planet Earth don’t wake up at 3:00 AM to catch bait in the middle of a vast lake, especially when temperatures are hovering around the freezing mark. However, that is precisely what catfish guides do to make a living.

Retired guide and legendary monster catfish angler Steve “Peanut” Nelson says, “After some time, this routine starts to feel normal. You go to bed around 7:00 PM, wake up before 3:00 AM, and head to the lake to find bait. Big blue catfish love cut shad, whole shad, live shad, and anything related to shad. They also thrive in cold weather, which is why big blue catfishing typically occurs in winter. It becomes a routine—a strange rhythm where night slips into day, and the pursuit of shad becomes a sacred ritual.”

A Challenging Routine

This challenging routine can present obstacles for those brave enough to face the cold morning temperatures in search of the prized shad. Fishing guide legend Tommy “Tom-Cat” Blanzedt is no stranger to stepping into this almost bizarre world of dark, frigid waters, and one morning it nearly took his life. Fortunately, Tom-Cat still had a couple of lives to spare.

“That morning was quite misty, and I had to de-ice the boat. On the lake, the cold air bit at me, and the wind whipped away any sense of above-freezing temperatures. I ventured farther out onto the dark water and spotted a school of good-sized gizzard shad on my fish finder, then began casting my net,” recounts Tom-Cat. "Unaware that ice had reformed where I was casting my net, I slipped, crashing into the frigid waters. The lake's cold grip wrapped around me, delivering a jolt of reality that ignited severe pain, instantly banishing the last remnants of sleep.”

What a way to start the morning! Tom-Cat found himself fighting for his life in the unrelenting cold and was about to lose one of his nine lives. With adrenaline coursing through his veins, he focused on the situation, planned accordingly, and swiftly swam around the boat; he swam fiercely, his muscles straining against the icy water. Every stroke was a declaration of will, propelling him back to the safety of the boat and, ultimately, toward the shore.

He drove the boat straight onto the shore, quickly making his way to the parked truck. After stripping down to his birthday suit, he hopped into his vehicle and cranked the heater full-blast. "This could have turned out very differently," he reflects later. “It was a stark reminder of the lake's wild nature — respect its power.” Tom-Cat smiles. "I’m glad I stayed calm and managed to escape that frightful situation. I’m grateful to be alive.”

Some Advice

And as a final nugget of advice for aspiring anglers, Tom-Cat suggests: “Big blues adore cut buffalo fish too, an easy score at your local Fiesta. It’s a shortcut that might save your life — unless you find yourself in a showdown with ‘Abuelito’ and his 1998 Oldsmobile land yacht in the parking lot.” With a chuckle, he reminds us that while the lake is a warrior’s arena, the world beyond it holds its own surprises.

The Return of the King!

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 09:38:44 GMT

2024 Legendary Monster Catfish Masters Series

Garyson County | Lake Texoma, Texas —

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend as SmartArt Branding and a lineup of esteemed sponsors present the Texas Anglers Club's legendary Monster Catfish Masters Series on December 8th and 9th, 2024! This thrilling contest kicks off bright and early at 7:00 am, launching from the idyllic Little Mineral Resort and Marina, often referred to as “Lake Texoma’s Hidden Secret.”

The Competition 

This year’s competition promises to be a showdown of epic proportions, featuring the formidable Ruben “Rusty-Hook” Amesquita, last year’s Grand Cat Master and nine-time TAC champion, as he faces off against his rival, the six-time TAC champion, JC “Southpaw” Rodriguez. But they aren’t the only skilled anglers in the spotlight! Joining them are the talented Angel “El Capitan” Rodriguez and Omar “Oachita” Sanchez from Lake Ray Hubbard, alongside newcomers Victor “El Cazador” Alarcon and Johny “Buffalo” Cuevas, ensuring a rich tapestry of talent and technique.

And let’s not forget the reigning Catfish King, Galileo “Don Gallo” Cañas! Fresh off his 2023 victory, he’s back and ready to defend his title against a fierce roster of veterans like Alex “Flat-Top” Martinez and Jesse “El Puma” Rodriguez, who will pair up with the crafty Josh “Curly” Martinez and Efrain "Red-River" Romo. These anglers are not just fishing for glory; they aim to break state records and etch their names into history.

With a mix of determined rookies and seasoned champions, the stage is set for an electrifying battle on the waters. Who will emerge as the next Catfish King? The anticipation is palpable, and the excitement is just getting started! Join us for this thrilling weekend of competition, camaraderie, and catfish tales that will be spoken of for years to come!

The Creation of “Big Tail Bill”

Rusty-Hook@TexasAnglersClub.com — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 09:04:44 GMT

From a Starbucks in Dallas to Bait Shop in East Tawakoni

Hunt County | Lake Tawkoni, Texas —

It all started on a cold December morning in a lonely gas station and bait shop in a small town in East Texas. It was a frigid 6:00 am, and the drive from Dallas had taken around an hour, at which time Southpaw and I had drowned our bellies with a couple of Venti Komodo Dragons with double shots of expresso to wake us up!

When we arrived at the bait shop, our insides were a ‘rumbling and making all sorts of weird and gaseous sounds. I could see it in his face; Southpaw was hurting. As the mild-tempered man I had become, I ceded the opportunity to enter the men’s room first.

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

As I calmly waited my turn, the minutes seemed to turn into hours as the eruption of Mount Doo-suvius was getting near, and no mortal being could stop it!

I scanned the bait shop and saw several old-timers sitting at the back in a small café area. I listened closely to the old men in an attempt to distract myself from the oncoming eruption, I heard the old anglers talking about a monster catfish that no man could catch. As I listened in, I took mental notes of what the old anglers were saying, but alas, time had run out, the eruption was about to commence.

Southpaw was still taking his sweet time in the men’s room, and I figured I would proabably need a gas mask to enter after him, so I looked around one last time and saw one solitary, large woman behind the cash register. So, I bolted into the ladies’ room and just made it before the eruption, and just in the nick of time, and without suffering any precursors or fumarolic activity, which usually accompanies giant eruptions.

The Monster Tale is Born

As I deeply exhaled and pondered life for a moment, the tale of “Big Tail Bill” came to mind, and a monster catfish tall tale was born. I quickly took care of business and exited the ladies’ room to find a line of ladies waiting for me to vacate the premises. The large cash register lady eyed-me over with a look of utter disdain and with a loud, boisterous voice said, “Sir, who do you think you are? That there is the ladies’ room you just ran into! I never want to see you in my store again!”

After being verbally assaulted in that manner, I wondered if I was banned from the bait shop, the café area, or the gas station store altogether. I calmly looked at the line of ladies, then focused my attention on the large cashier lady and exclaimed, “How do you know, I'm not a lady?”

At that, the line of ladies erupted in laughter, but my charismatic charm did not amuse the large cashier lady. Oh no, my gentlemen antics and Jedi mind tricks were no match for the likes of this woman. Right away, I scurried out with my tail between my legs, albeit happy that a messy eruption was thwarted, and a new story was waiting to be told.