What the hell is Noodling? According to Oklahoma State Law, Title 29: The method of fishing by Hand Only. Any use of hooks, bait, rods or reels is deemed illegal. Hand Fishing - aka Noodling, Grabbling, and Hogging is... more » only legal in 4 U.S. States: Oklahoma, Louisiana, Tennessee and Mississippi. Noodling is the lost art of using your hands as bait to catch fish. There is nothing quite like the thrill catching a 60 pound catfish with your bare hands, and that's just what this group of Oklahoma fisherman have been doing for hundreds of years. Follow them as they take you to the depths of Oklahoma searching for these giant prehistoric catfish.« less
David Miller | Norman, OK United States | 02/05/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've lived in Oklahoma all my life and went fishing quite regularly as a kid, but I never heard of Noodling until this film was released. While living a completely different lifestyle than the individuals shown in this film, I was very fascinated by their passion for the sport and the sport itself. Brad Beesley's film shows an entirely different world that most will never even hear of during their lives. I experienced a wide array of thoughts and emotions while watching this film and realized that any sort of passion no matter how seemingly small can be reason to validate one's existence. Also, the film includes some great songs written and performed by The Flaming Lips who never disappoint. Maybe there will be an Okie Noodling II chronicling Wayne Coyne's original thoughts on what Okie Noodling was? Perhaps an extra feature on the "Christmas On Mars" dvd! Watch the Okie Noodling dvd and find out!"
You've got to see it to believe it!
B. T. Denyer | Midwest, United States | 03/07/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"No fishing poles, line, or lures. These guys stick their hands and arms (even feet!) into these underwater holes and tunnels to grab onto 40-, 50-, 60-pound catfish! You don't have to be a fisherman or even a sportsman to enjoy this documentary. You'll be amazed at their reasoning for doing it, self-deprecating humor, and even the mini-drama that develops over the filming of the movie. Drama over fishing with your hands?! Yeah, no kidding; real high-school style drama comes to light over the 1st Annual Noodling Contest! Oh, and wait 'till you see who wins Miss Okie Noodling! She's a hoot!This is one of those DVDs that you throw on when you have 20 of your friends over for a BBQ and you want to laugh at other people. This DVD is a real gem!"
Eye opening Adventure into Little known Culture
Bevy | Sun Valley, CA United States | 04/07/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I recieved Okie Noodling today and watched it through. Absolutely fasinating. I had heard tales of "Hand Fishing" from an old fellow that I used to know - mostly I thought it was a lot of baloney to spin an interesting story. After seeing the movie "Big Fish" it made me think back to these stories that I had heard, and do some research. That is how I came to find this DVD (not advertised or known here in the Los Angeles area!). Interesting from start to finish - I have done plenty of pole fishing in my youth, and catfish frys were common in Florida & Georgia. You have to see this DVD to believe that men would catch huge fish with thier bare hands. I am very happy with my purchase! It's always good to learn something new!"
Fun for the fishermen in your life.
elizabeth karg | madison, wisconsin United States | 11/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This movie is fun from start to finish, if there are people in your family who are into fishing this is a must have!
Even people who don't like to fish will find okie noodling entertaining. It is not to be missed."
Cultural Documentary
Ty M. Albright | Dallas | 06/18/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Each summer in Pauls Valley Oklahoma at Bob's Pig shop is the annual Okie Noodling tournament official weight-in. This DVD documentary explains the history of noddling and was the catalyst for establishing this annual Oklahoma tradition. While most reviews will exclaim how wild and out of control noodling is, and how "you won't believe it", my response to this movie was different. Very simply, I believe this movie did an excellent job of not only documenting what noodling is all about, but it simply captured the all American "can do" attitude of a determined people (that being folks from Oklahoma). The fact that there are people who will literally risk their lives in a man vs. monster fish battle is of no surprise to me. Anyone whose family heritage is from Oklahoma has a history of overcoming all sorts of adversaries where only the tough and persistent preserver. Those who noodle should be admired and respected for their gumption and skill, but wrestling a big fish is a fun sport - not something that really counts like keeping your family together and providing of the next generation's future: something all these Oklahoma warriors do."