New Year Catch!

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Potomac

Caught this 40+� blue catfish on the Potomac on 1/1/17. A great way to start the new year, and by far the biggest fish I�ve caught thus far from my kayak. It was probably pushing 40 pounds, though I didn�t have a scale on board.

You�ll notice I�m wearing a drysuit in this picture, and I would like to make the point that cold-water protection is essential this time of year. 2 kayakers recently lost their lives to cold water, and it doesn�t matter who you are, or how good of shape you�re in, if you don�t have proper protection and you go into the water, in a matter of minutes, things will take a tragic turn. A drysuit will give you several hours, even tightly belted waders and a dry top will give you a while, but with only a winter coat, and even a pfd, you�re looking at 5-7 minutes until your extremities become useless.

No �fish of a lifetime,� is worth your life.