flathead 5 lb 6oz - bream bait

After a very close Razorback football game I was not in mood to bait trotline despite fact I had several nice size bream that I figured were too big for my yoyo's (hand size bream trigger the yoyo's unless I put heavy weight and set yoyo depth to put weight on bottom)

During 10PM news I checked yoyo's with light - nothing on. Then after news watched end of another football game - about 30 minutes later before I checked yoyo - I had something running out all the line on the yoyo - but I figured it was a gar - so I didn't get in boat to go take it off yoyo (that is best / safe way)

I got my big net but it has a short handle so when I pulled the 5 lb 6oz flathead catfish up to the top I figured I was out of luck - I tried two times to get it in net - but it was too strong and net handle too short - so then I said the 'hell with it' and just lifted the fish up by the yoyo line and used the 'side of the net' to guide it over the rail on my fishing pier (I have kid safe wire on my pier so all fish have to come over the top of the rail) Bottom line I had to jerk and flop the catfish over the rail and I was lucky he was hooked extremely well.

So it was my lucky night (and the Arkansas Razorbacks got lucky) - so I now have a nice eating size flathead catfish in my fish pen - and I re baited 4 more 'nice size' bream in case another fish comes along :) :)

Now it's almost my bed time (11:30PM) but I'm wide awake - after getting excited when I had to lift and 'flop' the catfish over the rail
(note: to self - get Tommy busy making that long handle net as soon as he gets back home :)