The latest zakk royce blue catfish lake gaston story has captured the attention of trophy-fishing fans after veteran guide Zakk Royce landed and released a massive 108-pound blue catfish during a nighttime trip in August 2026. The catch came during a period of intense summer heat, making the achievement even more notable and reinforcing Lake Gaston’s reputation for producing exceptionally large blue catfish.
Royce’s latest trophy was not simply another big-fish photo. It was his seventh blue catfish weighing at least 100 pounds from Lake Gaston, according to his latest account, and it came within striking distance of his personal best of 112 pounds. The fish was also notable because Royce considered it the longest catfish he had ever caught, although he chose not to formally measure it before releasing it.
Zakk Royce lands 108-pound blue catfish during August heat
The huge blue catfish was caught during a nighttime outing beginning around sunset on August 19 and continuing into August 20.
Rather than fishing through the hottest part of the day, Royce took advantage of the cooler nighttime conditions. The decision was particularly important because Lake Gaston was experiencing extremely warm water temperatures.
The main lake was reportedly around 92 degrees. Royce noticed that water being released from the reservoir dam was creating an area of relatively cooler water farther up the lake. In the location where he ultimately began fishing, the temperature had fallen to approximately 87 degrees.
That five-degree difference was enough to make the area worth exploring.
Royce set out six baited rods and began slow-trolling along a river-channel drop-off. The location provided a combination of depth and changing water conditions that could attract both baitfish and predatory blue catfish.
Approximately 30 minutes after starting, one of the rods produced the bite he was looking for.
A giant blue catfish had taken a cut-perch bait presented from a deep planer board with a Santee-style rig.
The ensuing battle lasted about 20 minutes.
When the fish finally approached the boat, its size immediately created another challenge. Royce’s net was not large enough for the entire fish, making the landing process difficult. With help from his girlfriend Jamie, he eventually managed to bring the fish aboard.
The scale showed 108 pounds.
Why the 108-pound catch stands out
Blue catfish weighing more than 100 pounds are rare trophy fish, and catching multiple fish at that size from the same reservoir is an extraordinary accomplishment.
For Royce, the latest fish represented his seventh blue catfish of 100 pounds or more from Lake Gaston.
His personal best remains a 112-pound blue caught from the reservoir several years earlier. That means the newest fish was only four pounds short of his largest Lake Gaston blue.
The 108-pound catfish was not officially measured for length or girth. That was a deliberate decision rather than an oversight.
Because temperatures were so high, Royce wanted to minimize the amount of time the fish remained out of the water. After taking a few photographs, the fish was returned to Lake Gaston.
That approach placed the fish’s welfare ahead of obtaining additional measurements.
The decision is especially important with giant catfish because trophy fish can represent many years of growth and can continue contributing to the fishery after release.
The catch was followed by more big catfish
The 108-pound blue was not the only impressive fish caught during the outing.
After releasing the giant, Royce continued slow-trolling along the main river channel and caught another blue catfish weighing approximately 50 pounds.
Two additional blues weighed around 20 pounds each.
All of the fish were released.
The results gave Royce another reason to believe that Lake Gaston is currently producing an unusually strong population of large blue catfish.
His assessment is based not just on one extraordinary fish, but on a series of trophy catches during the current period.
Lake Gaston has produced multiple triple-digit blues for Royce
Royce’s connection with Lake Gaston and giant blue catfish stretches back many years.
The guide became nationally recognized in December 2015 after catching two North Carolina state-record blue catfish in an astonishing 18-hour period.
The first fish weighed 91 pounds and was caught on December 20. Less than a day later, Royce returned to the same reservoir and landed a 105-pound blue, surpassing his own newly established record.
Both fish were certified and released alive.
Those catches established Royce as one of the most recognizable trophy blue-catfish anglers in the region.
His later catches further strengthened that reputation. He has landed other blue catfish exceeding 100 pounds from Lake Gaston, including fish weighing 102 and 100 pounds.
The latest 108-pound fish therefore fits into a long history of extraordinary catches rather than standing as an isolated achievement.
A previous 100-pound catch showed how unpredictable trophy fishing can be
One of Royce’s earlier Lake Gaston trophies demonstrated that enormous blue catfish do not always stay in deep water.
During another warm-weather outing, Royce focused on a creek area where baitfish activity suggested that large cats might be present.
He found shad toward the back of a creek and began fishing in roughly five feet of water.
The strategy worked.
A blue catfish eventually took his bait and fought for around 20 minutes before being brought to the boat.
The fish weighed exactly 100 pounds. It measured approximately 54 inches in length and had a 35-inch girth.
The fish was released.
That catch is significant because trophy blue catfish are often associated with deeper river channels, ledges and reservoir areas. Royce’s success in shallow water demonstrated how seasonal changes and baitfish movements can alter where large cats feed.
What Royce’s fishing strategy reveals
The newest catch also provides insight into how experienced trophy-catfish anglers approach Lake Gaston.
Finding big catfish is not necessarily about locating the deepest water.
Instead, Royce looks for a combination of structure, forage and favorable water conditions.
River channels and channel drop-offs can provide natural travel routes for fish. Creek mouths, ledges, humps and points can also become productive because they concentrate baitfish or provide ambush opportunities.
Water movement can be equally important.
During the latest nighttime trip, Royce specifically looked for cooler water influenced by dam releases. The surrounding lake was exceptionally warm, but the moving water created a more favorable area.
That illustrates an important principle of reservoir fishing: conditions can vary significantly within a relatively small area.
An angler who simply fishes one depth throughout the night could miss the area where baitfish and large predators are concentrated.
Cut bait remains a major part of the trophy-catfish equation
Royce’s latest 108-pound fish took cut perch.
That detail is important because blue catfish are opportunistic predators and can respond strongly to fresh natural bait.
Perch, shad and other forage species are frequently used by trophy-catfish anglers because they represent food that blue catfish already encounter in their environment.
The way bait is presented can be just as important as the bait itself.
In the latest catch, Royce used a Santee-style rig combined with a deep planer board. The presentation allowed the bait to cover a specific portion of the water column while the boat moved slowly along the channel structure.
This is a very different approach from simply anchoring over deep water and waiting.
Slow trolling can help an angler search a larger area and locate active fish. Once a productive depth or structure pattern emerges, the presentation can be adjusted accordingly.
Why summer conditions did not stop the trophy bite
August can create difficult conditions for freshwater anglers.
High air temperatures lead to elevated water temperatures, and fish behavior can change as oxygen levels and thermal conditions shift.
The latest Lake Gaston trip demonstrated how changing the timing and location of a fishing trip can make a difference.
Royce went out at night instead of dealing with the strongest daytime heat. He also moved toward an area affected by cooler water from the reservoir release.
The result was a memorable trophy.
The fish’s capture suggests that warm summer conditions do not necessarily eliminate opportunities for giant blue catfish. Instead, they may require anglers to pay closer attention to water movement and temperature.
Lake Gaston’s reputation as a trophy blue-catfish destination
Lake Gaston is positioned along the Virginia-North Carolina border and has become well known among anglers seeking oversized blue catfish.
The reservoir’s combination of river channels, creek arms, structure and forage provides opportunities for fish of many sizes.
For trophy hunters, the most important feature may be the reservoir’s demonstrated ability to produce exceptionally large blues.
The repeated appearance of fish exceeding 80 pounds and occasional catches over 100 pounds has helped establish Lake Gaston as a destination for serious catfish anglers.
Royce’s long history on the lake has added to that reputation.
He has spent years learning seasonal movements, forage patterns and productive structures. His experience also means that he can adjust his approach when conditions change.
That knowledge was evident during the recent heat wave.
The significance of catch-and-release trophy fishing
The release of the 108-pound fish was an important part of the story.
Royce did not keep the giant fish for an extended photo session or additional measurements. Instead, he prioritized returning it to the lake quickly.
That is particularly valuable during hot weather, when handling stress can become more significant.
Large blue catfish are also valuable to trophy fisheries because of their size, age and reproductive potential.
Royce has previously supported selective harvest and the release of very large catfish. His philosophy is that anglers can enjoy keeping smaller fish for food while allowing trophy-sized fish to remain in the population.
The practice also creates the possibility that another angler may eventually encounter the same fish or another giant produced by the reservoir.
Does Lake Gaston have an even bigger blue catfish?
The latest catches naturally raise a bigger question: how large can Lake Gaston’s blue catfish become?
There is no guarantee that another record-size fish will be caught, but the reservoir’s history makes the possibility intriguing.
Royce’s personal best is 112 pounds, while the current North Carolina state-record blue catfish is substantially larger at 117 pounds, 8 ounces. That record was established by teenager Landon Evans in 2016, also on Lake Gaston.
The existence of multiple fish above 100 pounds demonstrates that the lake can support blue catfish of extraordinary size.
The latest 108-pound fish came within only a few pounds of Royce’s personal best, proving that enormous blues remain available.
For anglers watching Lake Gaston, another 100-pound-plus fish would not necessarily be a surprise.
A fish capable of challenging the state record would be much rarer, but the reservoir has already demonstrated the potential.
What makes Zakk Royce’s latest catch important
The newest catch is significant for several reasons.
First, it adds another triple-digit blue catfish to Royce’s personal record.
Second, it came during unusually difficult summer conditions.
Third, the fish was caught using a deliberate presentation around a main-lake river-channel drop-off rather than through random fishing.
Fourth, the decision to release the fish quickly demonstrated the importance of responsible trophy handling.
Most importantly, the catch provides another indication that Lake Gaston remains capable of producing blue catfish at extraordinary sizes.
For anglers and fishing fans, the 108-pound blue is therefore more than a number on a scale. It is another chapter in the continuing story of one of the region’s most productive trophy-catfish waters.
Key Points Summary
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ – Zakk Royce caught and released a 108-pound blue catfish during a nighttime Lake Gaston trip in August 2026. ║
║ – The fish struck a cut-perch bait presented with a Santee-style rig near a main-lake river-channel drop-off. ║
║ – Royce said the fish was the longest catfish he had ever caught, but he chose not to measure it to speed up its release. ║
║ – The 108-pound blue became Royce’s seventh Lake Gaston blue weighing at least 100 pounds. ║
║ – Royce’s Lake Gaston personal best remains a 112-pound blue, while the North Carolina state record is 117 pounds, 8 ounces. ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
The continuing run of trophy blue catfish shows why Lake Gaston remains a major destination for anglers chasing giant freshwater fish. With another 100-pound-class catch now added to Royce’s remarkable record, the reservoir will remain a place worth watching whenever reports of oversized blue catfish begin circulating.
What do you think—could Lake Gaston produce another blue catfish larger than 117 pounds? Share your prediction in the comments and stay tuned for more trophy-fishing news.