Record-breaking catfish caught in Florida river

Orlando, Fla. — A Northwest Florida man is celebrating what is being called a once in a lifetime achievement for a fisherman.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) says Lavon Nowling now holds the title after catching a nearly 70-pound flathead catfish in the Yellow River in Santa Rosa County.

“I’ve been deep sea fishing to creek fishing and I never expected to catch a state record fish,” Nowling told FWC. “That day I was fishing for channel catfish and can’t believe I caught a huge flathead. I was in the right place at the right time.”

The catch was 48.5 inches long.

The fish beat the previous state record by more than a half-pound.

That fish was caught last year on the same river.

“A state record catch is a once in a lifetime achievement for an angler,” said Jon Fury, FWC’s Director for the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management. “We are pleased to award this state record to Mr. Nowling.”

Cox Media Group