Blake Terry, a 12-year-old from Odessa, Texas, was practicing for the Jr. Bassmasters State Championship recently at Sam Rayburn Reservoir when he hooked and landed the 52-pound flathead catfish held by his father Jason in the photo at right (click the picture to see a larger version). The fish has been submitted for lake-record status in the youth rod and reel division, for which there is no current standard.
Fishing with B.A.S.S. Federation Nation angler Albert Collins, Blake had caught about 10 bass from the area and the duo was about to depart in order to save it for the tournament. Then he hooked into the giant cat.
He caught the fish on a jigging spoon, 15-pound line and a new Falcon Bucoo Micro Guide rod that he'd purchased with gift cards from winning the past three Permian Bass Club teen tournaments.
