Stan Antonuk Takes the Prize at the Giant Fish Competition

With only a worn bobber and mealworm, Stan Antonuk took the prize at the Giant Fish Competition with a large 13 pound catfish.

Stan Antonuk from team Reel Strong was the big winner of the contest and out-fished ten other contestants. The monster was caught in one of the largest local freshwater lakes during the final event of the Giant Fish Competition.

The competition was a joint sponsorship by GAFF Magazine and Central Outdoors District. Held on one of the hottest days of the year, the contest awarded the person who caught the biggest fish. Species was no factor in this Giant Fish Competition. It was nearing the end of the day when Antonuk felt the jolt at the end of the line. “I wasn’t really expecting a catfish. I do a lot of fishing around this area and I’ve seen anglers catching 9 to 12 pound largemouth bass recently.”

The reward Stan Antonuk received included a five-day, four-night fishing trip to Key West, a quality tackle pack, and bragging rights! Antonuk was also entered into a final fish-off at the end of the year.

Throughout the competition Stan Antonuk and other competitors used different tactics and bait to entice the fish. Fellow fisherman Matt Guiese used some of the smaller trout and bluegill that he caught as bait fish. However the contestants said that most of the bites were from artificial bait.

Along with different baiting methods, the fishermen were also using different means of transport. It wasn’t only the well equipped contestants such as Stan Antonuk who triumphed in the competition. One of the anglers in a kayak pulled in a hefty 11 pound largemouth bass.

To make sure that all the fish were released in order to maintain the population of the lake, the Department of Fish and Game came out to join the festivities as well. Antonuk was also congratulated by Jake Larson, one of the associate fishery biologists. Catching a 13 pound bass signifies the health of the lake and its continued growth. However, Jake didn’t seem surprised by the great turn out or Stan Antonuk’s catch. He took part in the development of the lake’s fishery and knew that the fishing had grown significantly over the past year. Jake mentioned, “Blue, trout, and bass numbers have all increased, but apparently, the catfish are still livin’ large too.”