When I was in high school, Every Saturday morning I was out on the Mississippi just south of Burlington IA, pulling up hoop nets with my step dad. It was NOTHING to come off of the river with over 4000 pounds of catfish in the hold.
Largest one I pulled up was a 90 pounder. The damned thing had another catfish in it's mouth trying to eat it. But Like rich says......The bigger they are, the worse they taste.