Giant Lake Jackson Flathead Catfish Released

Terry Denman hefts the 57-lb. flathead catfish that he caught and released while fishing at Lake Jackson during the summer of 2024.

Terry Denman caught his first catfish 61 years ago on a cane pole while fishing with his grandfather. A lot of things have changed over the years for the Vietnam veteran, but nothing ever could erase the excitement of feeling a catfish tugging on his line.

The biggest tug he ever felt came recently when he was fishing on Lake Jackson. After a 30-minute battle in 95-degree heat, Terry landed his fish of a lifetime—a 57-lb. flathead.

It was a trying day on the water, but the Jenkinsburg resident was finally rewarded for his patience.

“I had a rough time on the water that morning,” he said. “I was trying to catch some baitfish with a net. The water was muddy and rolling. There was no shad. I caught 10 or 12 bream (on a rod and reel) to use for cutbait. I finally caught a 17-inch hickory shad about 10:45.

“I ran up the lake to my favorite spot, and a pontoon boat was sitting on it. I asked if I could fish about 50 yards behind them, and they said they didn’t care. They said they were just trying to catch some eating-size catfish. I told them they were going to need some bigger bait and bigger gear in that spot.

“I knew I had caught a 41-pounder there the week before.”

The pontoon boat finally left, and Terry anchored in his favorite spot.

“I caught several blues in the 8- to 10-lb. range,” he said. “By noon, I had added four nice blues in the 8- to 12-lb. range. It was hot, but I didn’t give up because I knew I had hung into several fish there through the years that broke 40-lb. test line.”

The heat was taking its toll on Terry. About 2:30, he knew he had to get hydrated and some nourishment.

“I got a Sprite and a pack of crackers,” he said. “I had just gotten the second cracker in my mouth when my Whuppin’ Stick rod bent double. I jumped up and set the hook. I was in a mess. I had seven rods out, and I was by myself. The fish immediately almost got into my anchor line.

“Gosh it was hot. When I finally got the fish to the surface, I couldn’t believe it. I got him into my big tournament net, and I was exhausted. I just left him in the net in the water. I couldn’t lift him into the boat. I sat down for 15 minutes until I got my strength back.”

Terry finally got the big catfish in the boat, and on good scales, he weighed 57 pounds. He also measured the fish. It was 58 inches long and had a 34 1/2-inch girth. He released the fish unharmed and plans to have a replica of the fish made.

“It was definitely a fish of a lifetime,” he said, “but I also know that there are bigger catfish in that spot.”

“The first thing I looked for when I got that fish to the surface was one of my old, big No. 10 tuna hooks and 40-lb. test line hanging from his mouth, but it wasn’t there. I couldn’t turn those fish and they are still there.”

Terry’s assessment is accurate. Although a 57-pounder is a giant flathead, the Lake Jackson record was caught in May 2023 and weighed 64-lbs., 6.08-ozs.

Lake Jackson Official Record Fish

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