Personal-best and really big flathead: Young man and his Fish of the Week

Erik Brztowski with his personal-best flathead from the Wisconsin River.

Erik Brztowski added a personal-best flathead. The young man from Lemont, who hopes to get his guiding license next year, landed a 50-pound range flathead on the Wisconsin River.

``I was throwing a 12-inch sucker with a 10/0 Team Catfish Big Cat Circle hook, with 60-pound leader, 150# swivel, 4-ounce weight and 80-pound braid,’’ he explained. ``It’s funny because people look at you weird when your using gear so big they think your fishing for sharks. Lol. But that’s the gear needed to handle these beasts.

``That fish took almost 15 minutes to bring in. I’ve been fishing the rivers all around Wisconsin (specifically for big fish) since I was a little kid, the only thing I’ve gotten bigger then that is sturgeon.’’

I fully expect more big-fish reports from Brztowski, especially because of his descriptions.

Another view of Erik Brztowski with his personal-best flathead from the Wisconsin River.

FOTW, the celebration of big fish and their stories around Chicago fishing, runs Wednesdays in the Sun-Times. Submit nominations on Facebook (Dale Bowman), on Twitter and Instagram (@BowmanOutside) or email (BowmanOutside@gmail.com).