Fish Story: Santa Rosa Man Catches Florida’s Largest Catfish

October 19, 2011

A Santa Rosa County man now holds the distinction of having landed the largest flathead catfish ever caught with a rod and reel in Florida waters.

Eric Auston Jr., 33, was fishing with his good friend October 9 at 2:30 a.m. in the Yellow River when he caught a flathead catfish weighing 55.05 pounds. He used a rod and reel with 25-pound-test line and a small bluegill as bait, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

His fish was substantially larger than the existing Florida record flathead – a fish that weighed 49.39 pounds, caught in the Apalachicola River in 2004. Auston said he fishes for flatheads only a few times each year. His biggest flathead prior to last weekend weighed 42 pounds, but that fish was caught on a bush hook.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) maintains records for most species of freshwater fish. The FWC will present Auston with a certificate of his record catch for display.

Comments

14 Responses to “Fish Story: Santa Rosa Man Catches Florida’s Largest Catfish”

  1. D.J. Pitts on June 10th, 2019 11:48 am

    proud of you finally caught the big one in Florida I wonder how long you going to hold that record before somebody catches a bigger one but I bet you won’t be too many more caught like that Santa Rosa County

  2. Larry G.Trease on July 26th, 2014 8:54 pm

    Nice catch.My brother caught one that maxed his 50lb. digital scale at 52.1lbs.
    Your fish was reportedly 44″long.My brothers was 48″We wondered what he really weighed.His head is being mounted by Don Cooley Taxidermist, if you want verification.To us old catfish boys he was just another nights catch.

  3. Capt Bobby Hilbrunner on October 21st, 2011 6:54 am

    Hey Eric, That is awesome, Nice going Capt Bobby

  4. NHS on October 19th, 2011 4:54 pm

    CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  5. Steve on October 19th, 2011 3:24 pm

    Nice catch!!!!Congrats!!!!

  6. 429SCJ on October 19th, 2011 2:55 pm

    Congratulations on your nice catfish Eric. Why is it all I ever catch on Escambia river is gar?

  7. catfish on October 19th, 2011 11:51 am

    You haven’t tryed it up hear in alabama. We have got some big one two like 40-30 and their have one that weight 60 so they or bigger one out their just have to catch them

  8. EMD on October 19th, 2011 11:29 am

    WOW!!! VERY, VERY, IMPRESSIVE!!!!!!!

  9. scott on October 19th, 2011 11:06 am

    BIG FISH!! When and where will the fish fry take place? Fix me a plate.

  10. barrineau on October 19th, 2011 10:30 am

    I must admit that I am jealous . Congrats !!!

  11. DJC on October 19th, 2011 8:32 am

    THAT”S A BIG FISH!

  12. rita croley on October 19th, 2011 8:24 am

    Great catch beat it was a great feeling to pull in . The only way it could have been better if , One of my grandsons would have caught it.Just joking great job.

  13. molino on October 19th, 2011 8:21 am

    wow thats great! that is a big cat! CONGRATULATIONS!!

  14. Suzanne on October 19th, 2011 7:29 am

    One word to describe this catch: CONGRATULATIONS

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports