I’m super stoked to introduce a friend of mine who has turned his passion into a business partnership. Mark Nawrocki is a weightlifter, jiu-jitsu practitioner, gun lover, dad, and an all around great guy. He also happens to be on heck of a fisherman! And not just any fisherman, but one that can jump into the water and wrangle a giant trophy cat out with his bare hands! Sit back and read our interview with my boy Mark. Then – pull out that man card and book a trip with him…… otherwise you don’t have a hair on your chest. Drink from the horn Vikings, go out there and catch a fish with your hands! Now enjoy the interview:
introducing Captain Mark Nawrocki
* Tell us about yourself. Background, business name etc:
o I have been fishing my entire life. I have fished from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. I have been primarily a fresh water predator fisherman. What I mean by predator is Bass, Walleye, Pike, and now, arguably the top predator, Catfish. I am part owner of Big Tennessee Adventures Trophy Catfish Guide Service. We specialize in trophy Blue Catfish and Flathead Catfish.I operate out of Knoxville TN and fish the Tennessee River. I am a licensed captain with the Coast Guard and find myself on the water any chance I get.
* I happen to know some of the story about how you got started, but tell the readers how you caught the itch for the catfish business:
o About 5-6 years ago Mike McCoy, Jim Koza, and I decided it would be a good idea to ‘noodle’ (more on this term later) as a bucket list item. Mike and Jim enjoyed the experience but I was now caught / bit by the catfish fever. The first time the 38 lb Bluecat latched on to my hand in his dark, underwater lair I knew this was for me. I started messing around on my own and talking with the guide we hired, Will Goodman (my now business partner). Will needed another person with the drive and passion for the sport. We quickly became good friends and now we guide together. Yet, noodling can only be done a few months out of the year. This is not enough for me. I started hunting these trophies year round with rod and reel. There is just as much adrenaline when you are hooked into a large cat on rod and reel as there is in the water noodling. Over 2 years now I have been fishing for these large fish with rod and reel and I believe I like this challenge a little more than noodling.
* Explain to our readers what grabbling is and how it’s done:
o Noodling / Grabbling this is accomplished by finding a catfish den in shallow water 3-5 feet deep and sticking your hand in to entice the Catfish to defend its den and bite your hand. Once the catfish bites your hand you need to grab hold of its bottom lip and wrestle it to the surface and gain control long enough for pictures so the animal can be released unharmed. We create some artificial dens as to enlarge the breeding habitat along with making it safe for our clients.
* I know you’ve had an opportunity to do some reality tv spots, tell us about that.
o Reality TV, best I can say is it’s not reality. We worked with the show Hillbilly Blood and that was a constant shoot and re-shoot day. If you enjoy “reality TV shows” please never peek behind the curtain. Another show we did was a cook-off type show. The chefs come and hunt / fish / gather like you and try and beat you in a cook off with your best dish with your ingredient. Unfortunately, we lost, but our fish tacos were amazing.
* What’s the biggest cat that you’ve caught (by hand and by rod reel)
o The fish we catch average in the range of 35-45 lbs. By hand, my biggest fish is a 60 lb Flathead by noodling and by rod and reel my biggest is a 75 lb Bluecat. In my professional opinion, the biggest fish (and probably the new state record) will be caught by rod and reel. I believe I can break the Flatheads state record but the Bluecat record will take some major luck. The TN state record for a Flathead is 86 lbs and the TN state record for a Bluecat is 112 lbs. Both state records are with rod and reel. There are no state records for noodling.
* Tell us about the type of tours you offer?
o Big Tennesse Adventures Trophy Catfish guide service offers full day guided trips for noodling or rod and reel. We provide the boat, gas, all rods and reels, bait, safety equipment, and—of course—big fish. Our clients only need to bring their own food and their sense of adventure.
* Is there an ideal time of year to go either grabbling or for rod reel?
o Noodling trips are from mid May thru Early August. As for Rod and Reel—well, I’m on the boat year round. Even though it does get cold in TN I’m fishing. Prime times for Rod and reel would be April through June, then September through November. I caught a 68 lb Bluecat in July 2016 on rod and reel, so you never know. Spring through Fall for rod and reel are the best times.
* Finally – the question on all of our minds……What is the difference between grabbling and noodling?
o There is no difference between noodling and grabbling. Noodling came from Oklahoma. I like grabblin’ because if you don’t GRAB hold of that fish, you’re in for a beating. You must grab on and control a 40+ lb catfish in his territory. I have no idea how a noodle is going to help you with that fight.
* What is the best way to get in touch with you to set up a tour?
o Facebook : Big Tennessee Trophy Catfish Guide Service
o https://www.facebook.com/bigtncats/
o WEB: bigtnadventures.com o Email: [email protected]
o Phone: 865-332-6394
