Behold “Charlie” The CIA’s Robotic Catfish

CIA’s Office of Advanced Technologies and Programs developed the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) fish to study aquatic robot technology. The UUV fish contains a pressure hull, ballast system, and communications system in the body and a propulsion system in the tail. It is controlled by a wireless line-of-sight radio handset.

If that doesn’t impress you how about a covert “Seismic Intruder Detection Device” that looks like a turd.

via Flickr

Crossover Surprises in Kokemachine Country

With the music blasting, the fire roasting our toes and beer cans emptying themselves into our bellies, none of my fellow cottage goers had any idea about what the Kokemachine was silently pulling off in the lake just feet away from our party. Suddenly, at 11:45pm, a bite alarm fired off with lights a blazin’ sending me flying from my lawn chair and landing at the foot of my rod. Finding it violently bouncing on my bank stick I lifted it quickly only to realize that the creature on the other side of this equation was far bigger than I was anticipating. After a short battle in the pitch black night the creature was resting in my hands under the glow of my head lamp. With a laugh of surprise I held up the night’s catch: a 3 pound largemouth bass. I quickly returned the fish to the water and resumed my party with a smile on my face.

It is in these moments when one begins to truly appreciate the crossover spoils of the multi-species fisherman. In Kokemachine country, I strive to read as many fishing books as I can possibly find, ranging from deep sea fishing to carp fishing. With a raving hunger for fishing literature, I’ve familiarized myself with the many techniques and rigs used for nearly every freshwater fish in North America and beyond. Many times the techniques I learn from one species will inform the techniques I use for another. In a time like this, however, it’s just a pure fluke.

In this situation to suggest that I had any idea that I was going to catch this bass would be a blatant lie. Being fortunate enough to be invited to a friend’s cottage on the Lake of Bays, I immediately began researching the fish species of the lake. There was one species in particular that had recently won a place in my heart: The Bullhead Catfish. Hoping to set up a night rig I scoured the net to see if this lake contained this species. Finding only vague answers, I opted to set up the rig anyway.

The rig was simple: a ½ ounce bell sinker rigged to slide and a short 10” fluorocarbon leader with a #6 circle hook rigged with a juicy night crawler right on the bottom. My rod was set up on a bite alarm and a bank stick, a staple for British style carp fishing. I figured that if I’m going to be near the water then I might as well be fishing in whatever way I could. After this moment of unexpected success, I doubt I will ever be able to resist setting up this rig anytime I’m sitting by the campfire, just to see what is roaming around.

- Erik Kokkonen (AKA Kokemachine) 4 Eel Fishing

Thank you for your entry in our 2010 Contributor Contest. We’ll be sending you a copy of Fins + Skins magazine for your efforts!

Friday Afternoon Caption Contest Spectacular

Open wide and say “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

Catch Magazine 13

Another outstanding visual masterpiece better known as Catch Magazine is available for your viewing pleasure!

Where Do You Buy Your Catfish?

I don’t eat fish too often, but one of my favorites is catfish. We used to catch them a lot when I was about six years old and we’d eat them within an hour of catching them. I’ve never bought catfish from a supermarket, and after seeing this video I’m not sure I ever will. Despite healthy populations of catfish across the United States, a lot of catfish are actually imported from outside countries like Vietnam. Now this would be OK if other countries followed the same food safety regulations we do, but they don’t.

World Record Blue Catfish

Recently a massive 79 pound (35.8 kg) blue catfish was caught by Jayson Zerda of Unadilla, New York, setting a new Maryland state record. This amazing catch beat the old state record by more than ten pounds!

The fish was 49.5 inches long with a girth of 38 inches.

As impressive as Mr. Zerdas record catfish looks, its not even remotely close to the current world record blue catfish – just have a look at this!

Caught by Tim Pruitt, this world record blue catfish weighed 124 pounds (56.2 kg) and was caught on May 22 2005 near Alton, Illinois in the Mississippi River.

The fish measured a staggering 58 inches in length and was 44 inches around! Just last month an even larger blue cat was caught, weighing 130 pounds. It is currently under review by the IGFA and may take the world record title from Tim Pruitt.

Caught by Greg Bernal, of Florissant, Missouri – July 20 2010.

Continue reading “World Record Blue Catfish”…