113+ pound flathead catfish was in the Big Pee Dee River
Joe Driggers of Florence, SC caught the new South Carolina state record flathead catfish while fishing the Big Pee Dee River on June 10, 2026. The record-breaking fish weighed 113.7 pounds, shattering the previous record by almost 30 pounds.
Driggers was fishing with his two younger brothers, and they were preparing to leave when the big fish hit a piece of cut bait at around 1 p.m. in 100-degree heat. He didn’t realize just how large the fish was until after he’d gotten it in the boat.
“The fish hit and ran, and I thought it was a blue. Even when I first saw the fish, I thought it was a blue in the 60- to 65-pound range,” he said. “We didn’t use a net. I just grabbed it with my hand up its gills and slid it aboard. Then I realized it was a big flathead, but it still didn’t register with me just how big at first. Once I got everything in the boat straightened out, I took a good look and felt sure it was more than 100 pounds.”
Driggers called some friends that work for SCDNR. A biologist met him within 15 minutes at the Skinning Shed and got an initial weight, but that was not a certified scale, so they had to do some calling.
After locating a certified scale capable of weighing something that large, Driggers headed to Lands End Marina in Georgetown, where SCDNR weighed and certified it as the new state record.
SCDNR took samples for research
“I couldn’t believe it,” said Driggers. “I never dreamed I would catch a fish like that. Never thought I’d catch a state record fish.”
The SCDNR biologists asked if they could take samples of the fish. Driggers happily agreed to their request. They took the entire spine, otoliths, and tissue clippings.
“They roughly estimated the fish at 23-years-old, and said they’d have a better idea after studying the samples,” he said.
After bleeding the fish and cleaning it, Driggers said his family and friends have been enjoying catfish nuggets.
“They taste great. No different than those of a 20-pound catfish,” he said.
Driggers caught the fish on a Mad Katz rod using 50-pound test monofilament and a Carolina Lake Shaker Rig. He’s getting a lifesize replica made to help commemorate the fish and the experience. ■
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