Yeah, it's called "Okie Noodling". Crazy ass fishing without any equipments except your arms and the ability to hold your breath underwater. I watched that documentary a while back and one of local said once in a while you touch a snapping turtle and you a finger or two bitten off. Damn!!

http://www.okienoodling.com/

So ya think all those catfish stories are just urban legends and fish tales?
(Sorry, had to throw the "ya" in since we're talkin' about hicks here). :-)