Big Fish

[Moose]

Italian fisherman Dino Ferrari hooked a 280-pound, 8-foot-9-inch catfish last Thursday on Italy's Po River, which is believed to be one of the largest ever caught with a rod and reel.

Ferrari, a bus mechanic who was fishing with his twin brother, spent 40 minutes reeling in the fish, according to this CNN interview. After Ferrari outlasted the monstrosity, he took a few photos and released it back into the river. The photos were so alarming that the authenticity of the catch was called into question. But this video should quiet even the harshest skeptics.

[Mandrew968]

Looks like a Wels catfish. And shouldn't that be the biggest ever? If not, I would be fearful to see larger--I was originally introduced to this species via Jeremy Wade--River Monsters. He would be proud as this certainly qualifies as a RIVER MONSTER! Thanks Moose for the share!

I just read on the net that they get 880lbs and 13 feet long! OMG what would that look like?!

[The Silent Seed]

Yup. And I have two of them.

[SailorBold]

Can you still eat it?

[The Silent Seed]

Younger fish are said to be edible - but the big ones are too fatty.

If you're asking about mine - they are pets, not food.

[Moose]

It is rumored that there are Catfish in the Mississippi River that can slurp up a whole man without a problem. Heard it in Keokuk, Iowa where there is a dam across the Mississippi.

[JEFF IN MODESTO]

Come on guys.

I fish for big fish all the time.

Clearly that photo is a fake!

280lbs?

Compare the size of the 200lb fisherman to the fish?

It's several times the size of the guy.

Also notice, it was said the fish was released unharmed?

The fish in the photo isn't moving at all.

Catfish don't stop moving till dead.

But seriously the biggest joke is on cnn for reporting such silly crud.

[Trava]

This one was 170 kg

http://www.24sata.hr/news/to-se-zove-ulov-na-vranskom-jezeru-upecali-soma-od-170-kg-225184

[amazondk]

Come on guys.

I fish for big fish all the time.

Clearly that photo is a fake!

280lbs?

Compare the size of the 200lb fisherman to the fish?

It's several times the size of the guy.

Also notice, it was said the fish was released unharmed?

The fish in the photo isn't moving at all.

Catfish don't stop moving till dead.

But seriously the biggest joke is on cnn for reporting such silly crud.

Jeff, there are catfish that have been caught here close to Manaus over 100 kilos. In the Amazon Basin there are several species that get to this size. They fish for them with whole chickens on a hook normally. This is the Piraiba which is considered the largest. But, the Jau is similar.

dk

[Mandrew968]

Come on guys.

I fish for big fish all the time.

Clearly that photo is a fake!

280lbs?

Compare the size of the 200lb fisherman to the fish?

It's several times the size of the guy.

Also notice, it was said the fish was released unharmed?

The fish in the photo isn't moving at all.

Catfish don't stop moving till dead.

But seriously the biggest joke is on cnn for reporting such silly crud.

Moose thinks it's real and that's what matters.

[Kai]

The catfish is real, I have no doubt. South European catfish do reach these sizes. Specialized fishing trips are organized to fish for 3,5 metre catfish in the Ebro and other places.

I think they are ugly and slimy fish from the mud and don't like fishing for them. I flyfish for pike..mainly. Just love the topwater action these beasts give!

Here's a metre from Amsterdam I hooked 2 weeks ago.

Cheers,

kai