The Largest Flathead Catfish Ever Caught in South Carolina Was as Big as a Llama

Some of the most impressive record catches have happened in South Carolina. Anglers travel from all over the country to fish in the state’s many lakes, rivers, and ponds. One of the largest fish in the state is the flathead catfish. Keep reading to discover the largest flathead catfish ever caught in South Carolina.

Paul Daniels, an angler from Hanahan South Carolina, caught the largest flathead catfish in the state in 2018. This impressive fish weighed 84 pounds and 9.6 ounces. He caught this flathead catfish in the Cooper River. That’s about the size of a young llama. As impressive as this catch is, it’s nowhere near as large as the biggest blue catfish caught in South Carolina, which weighed 113 pounds!

About Flathead Catfish

Flathead catfish are very large fish, and yet they aren’t the largest catfish species. They live for about 20 years in the wild. Flathead catfish go by many names including mudcats and shovelhead cats. But why are they called this? What’s so unique about flathead catfish? Follow along to learn more.

Size and Appearance

Flathead catfish have olive or blue-green skin with a mottled appearance. They also have white or light yellow undersides. These catfish are easy to identify because of their small eyes and flat faces. The lower jaw protrudes out from underneath the upper jaw. They also have brown fins and 14 to 17 rays.

Flathead catfish can measure up to 61 inches long but are more commonly about 15 to 45 inches long. They vary in weight but can weigh as much as 123 pounds.

Diet

Flathead catfish consume whatever is closest to them. They aren’t picky eaters, but they mainly consume insects and small fish. Flathead catfish are excellent hunters that eat live prey. Their diets change as they age. Young flathead catfish mainly eat insect larvae until they surpass 3 inches long, after that they eat crustaceans, crayfish, and small fish. Experts have also observed flathead catfish partaking in cannibalism. It’s more common for mature flathead catfish to prey on young flathead catfish.

Predators

With just how big flathead catfish can get, it’s not surprising to know they have few predators. Their main predator is humans, which hunt flathead catfish for food and game. However, smaller adults are sometimes consumed by other flathead catfish. Juvenile flathead catfish are more at risk and are consumed by turtles, large fish, and birds.

Distribution

You can find flathead catfish throughout North America. They are large fish native to the west of the Appalachian Mountains. You can find them in many rivers of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio basins. Still, you can find them as north as Canada and as south as Texas. Flathead catfish thrive in deep rivers and lakes. It’s even better if the water is murky or cloudy. They blend in with the water, hiding from predators. Anglers can find them under fallen trees and logs in the water.

Where to Catch Flathead Catfish in South Carolina

Now that we know a little more about the flathead catfish, we can discuss where to find these large predatory fish in the state. In South Carolina, you can find these fish in most lakes and rivers. The Cooper River, where the largest flathead catfish ever caught in South Carolina, isn’t the only body of water they call home. Another great place to find flathead catfish is the Great Pee Dee River. It’s a 232-mile coastal river in the Carolinas. This long river discharges into Winyah Bay. Many fish species live in the Great Pee Dee River including the shad. You can also find shrimps and hundreds of bird species along the river. American alligators are also common.

Apart from the Great Pee Dee River, you can also find flathead catfish in Lake Moultrie. It’s the third-largest lake in South Carolina and covers 60,400 acres. Lake Moultrie is in Berkeley County. There are about 210 miles of shoreline, where you can fish from. The depth of the lake varies from 10 to 30 feet, but the maximum depth is about 75 feet. At its widest point, it’s about 14 miles wide. Although blue catfish and flathead catfish aren’t native to this lake, they were introduced in the 1960s. They are abundant in the lake. You can also fish for largemouth bass, striped bass, white bass, and chain pickerel.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/stammphoto