NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

October 5, 2000

CONTACT: Lt. Stan Kirkland (850) 265-3676

FLATHEAD CATFISH RECORDS KEEP FALLING

A Santa Rosa County man is the newest record holder for catching the largest flathead catfish.

James "Bobby" Simmons of Pace caught a 48.4-pound flathead Sept. 10 from the Escambia River and his fish has been accepted as a new state record by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. His fish was weighed and measured by fisheries biologist Bob DeMauro.

Simmons said he began his lucky fishing trip on the Escambia sometime after midnight and initially tried fishing for flatheads with live shiners but had little success. His fortune changed however, when he switched to a shad-flavored cut bait. He said once he'd hooked the big catfish it took him 30 minutes to get it to the boat.

His record fish measured 47-inches in length and 24-1/4-inches in girth and was caught near Parker's Island.

Simmons' fish edged out the previous record 47.5-pound flathead caught from the Escambia back in May by Robert F. Faith.