Of personal bests, a record Texas ‘Classic, ShareLunker recap and another ‘Ivie monster.

Story and photography by Matt Williams

It’s always a tall order for a fishing guide when a customer shows up with a bold request aimed at topping their personal best.

Kevin Williford’s order was way taller than most.

Williford is a 58-year-old hospice nurse from Woodville who enjoys wetting a hook to unwind on his days off. He’s got a passion for going after the big ones.

In March, Williford made the trip to Lake Tawakoni with high hopes catching a blue catfish to top the 72 pounder he caught there about seven years ago. He enlisted Capt. Michael Littlejohn of Wills Point to help him fill the bill.

Littlejohn and his wife, Teri, are owners of Tawakoni Guide Service and the lakeside Open Water Lodge. Their outfit has a rich history of steering clients to trophy class blue cats. Tawakoni is rich with big ones.

TGS fishing guide Mike Thompson put Williford on his 72 pounder back in 2018. Four years earlier, Littlejohn guided Jody Jenkins to an 87 pounder that still ranks as the official lake record. He had another client who caught and released an 81 pounder two weeks ago.

“I’m always looking to beat my personal best whatever I’m fishing for, and I knew Michael was the guy to help me catch another big blue cat,” Williford said. “He knows where they live and he knows how to catch them.”

The angler said they got on the water about 8:30 a.m. and found the conditions far from ideal. Skies were clear and winds were light and variable with very little chop on surface.

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