Autry Hogan saved his allowance to buy a new fishing rod and last Saturday the 7-year-old Tennessean broke in his new equipment by landing an 83-pound catfish.
Autry, who was fishing on the Cumberland River with his father, grandfather, and younger brother, required help holding up a catfish that was about as long (47 inches) as he is tall.
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The fish was released but based on a photo supplied by the family, Clarksville Now reported that the species “appears to be a flathead” catfish.
The Tennessee record for flathead catfish – 85 pounds, 15 ounces – has stood since 1993.
Clarksville Now reported that Autry’s new goal is to beat that record.
“Now, he has pretty high expectations,” said his father, Joshua Hogan.
