BD, my father went noodling once, beavers and snakes was his fear. But he said he got a 15lb flathead and he was so happy that when he came up, he went to lift it for everyone to see. And the sandpaper like jaws ( I dont know the correct term) tore almost all the hide off his hand. He said that was the last time he would ever do that.
And I have heard much worse stories but I dont think many are true.

Rad, I have seen what your talking about on some of the nature shows on animal planet. heheh. This guy just dug a catfish out of a mud hole.

The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. Or I have been told.