A Virginia woman who caught a 67-pound catfish while noodling in Alabama’s Black Belt won the inaugural Big Catfish photo contest.
Emily Horst, a 33-year-old angler, caught the massive “doozy of a fish” on her second noodling trip ever.
“When that fish clamped down on my arm, I was like, 'This is the greatest feeling ever,” Horst remembered.
Horst said she discovered Alabama’s catfishing opportunities while visiting her sister in Atmore. Her first noodling trip has turned into a passion that has taken her on a journey throughout the South.
“I have to travel to find these bad boys,” she joked.
Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association held the photo contest online. Horst received the most votes. She will receive a two-person, half-day guided noodling trip with Bama Noodling.
“We decided to launch the Big Catfish Contest to put a new twist on our annual Best Fish Contest and support the new Alabama Catfish Trail promotion launched late June by the Alabama Tourism Department, and it was a resounding success,” said Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association director Pam Swanner. “We appreciate everyone who submitted photos and everyone who cast online votes on our website. The contest is a wonderful way to showcase the outstanding fishing opportunities and all of the other outdoor recreation experiences available throughout Alabama's Black Belt.”
Jonathan House won second place with his photo of a flathead catfish caught on Lake Demopolis. Owen Patterson, 10, of Pickens County, won third place.
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