Angler spends his free time trying to snag a record
Staff writer
Todd Stultz has always wanted to break a record — and he wants to do it this year with fish.
It all started at the age of 10. One early morning, his father woke him out of a sound slumber and took him out in a small fishing boat on an Oklahoma lake. And, he has never looked back. Ever since, he’s spent all of his free time fishing; it’s what he loves to do.
“It’s peaceful,” he said. “Once you’re fishing there will be nothing bothering you. I usually fish with friends but sometimes I’ll go alone.”
This season, he started fishing locally — mostly at Marion County Lake — but soon began to travel around the state, trying to break an all-elusive record and have some fun doing it.
While he enjoys catching all kinds of fish, Stultz said he spends the majority of his time on catfish. He’s entered a couple tournaments, and while tough, said he enjoyed it.
He said catfish fishing takes a few skills, but mostly just requires the right atmospheric condition. He explained that both the weather and the water temperature had to be just right.
“The challenge would be catching catfish during the day in the heat and in windy days,” he said. “They suck!”
As for difficulty, Stultz said the level depends entirely on one thing alone: the person trying to do it. In his experience, as long as people chose the right place where the water temperature and weather was ideal, fishing isn’t hard.
“Catfish have over 3,000 taste buddies so any bait works just fine for anyone,” he said in explanation.
Stultz attended the annual catfish tournament at the Marion County Lake earlier this season and would encourage anyone interested in the sport to get out and start fishing.
Stock and regulations
Fishing is permitted 24 hours per day at the Marion County Lake.
Each fisherperson is limited to two rods or poles of any type with no more than two hooks on each pole or rod.
The lake stocks channel catfish, flathead catfish, black bass, walleye, wipers, and crappie. See http://www.marioncountyparkandlake.com for limits.
Marion Reservoir also offers excellent opportunities for fishing and hunting.
Sport fish in the lake include walleye, white bass, wiper, crappie, largemouth bass, channel, and flathead catfish. There is an 18-inch length limit for walleye and largemouth bass.