Mississippi News

New record blue catfish caught

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Fisheries Bureau has certified a new state record blue catfish. Eugene Cronley, the lucky angler from Brandon, caught the 131-pound fish on April 7 from the Mississippi River near Natchez. Mr. Cronley said that it took him 40 minutes to land the huge fish, “it is truly a fish of a lifetime.”

The fish shattered the previous rod and reel record of 95 pounds caught by Dakota Hinson in 2009 and is larger than the trophy record blue catfish of 101 pounds caught by the team of Freddie Parker and Brad Smith in 1997. Interestingly, both of those fish were also caught from the Mississippi River near Natchez.

Mr. Cronley caught the fish with a rod and reel using skipjack herring as bait.

Eugene Cronley and his record blue catfish, caught Natchez on April 7, 2022. (Courtesy photo)

Bob Bakken

Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates and high school football play-by-play on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.

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