Catfish

Catfish (order siluriformes) are a very diverse set of bony fish which are also known regionally as bullhead, mud cat as it has huge flattened bony-plated head with hornlike spines. They are very common in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Africa, Southeast Asia and also in some countries that obtain large body of fresh and seawater. This species identified for their notorious, tarnished barbells which resembles the whiskers of a cat.

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Catfish can often be this size depending on their environment

The size of catfish differs depending on their habitat and the type and availability of food supply around them. Some members of this species have no barbells but they still hold catfish features such as the unique characteristics of the skull and swim bladder. Catfish have no scales and it’s one of their main features which make them effortless .to identify

Approximately there are 2000 species of catfish that can be found all over the world with a maximum length of under 12cm and an average weight of 2 to 5 pounds (0.9 to 2.3 kg) but it may also reach up to 50 pounds (23 kg) or more depending on the kind and availability of food that they intake. Mostly they prefer staying in fresh water but some species namely the Aiiride and Plotosidae also have the capability to survive in seawater making them somewhat special.

Almost all catfish species have tough, leading ray located on their back pectoral fins, which is be able to deliver a stinging substance if they feel irritated. Anglers should take note that these fish can cause painful injury with their sharp quills, or spines, found in front of their fins.

Generally there are six kinds of catfish in the world as follows:

Channel Catfish (This type of catfish cultivates in large rivers and streams, and prefers deep water with a bed of sand or gravel)

White Catfish (Prefer slower moving streams)

Flathead Catfish, (Often found in large rivers and capable of surviving in slow flowing streams)

Blue Catfish, (Very similar to the channel catfish. Can usually be found in big rivers and in lower parts of tributaries and generally prefer clear and fast moving waters)

Brown Bullhead (Prefer warm waters in lakes, reservoirs, ponds, large rivers and sluggish streams)

Yellow Bullhead (Tolerant in contaminated waters and prefer living in reservoirs, ponds, slow-flowing streams, and shallow lakes)

Catfish scouting the bottom of a lake

Catfish can be very aggressive, strong and lively and they easily find things to eat as they have feelers that help them to locate and sense food that are situated around them. They can eat pretty much anything that might fit in their mouth including worms, small fish and even catfish, algae, minnows, frogs and other tiny substances that is present in the area where they live.

Cat-fishing can be done easily as there are many different varieties of baits that anglers can use consisting of cut bait, worms, sucker minnows, corn, or even frogs. Predatory catfish can usually be lured or trapped with other catfish particularly the small ones. Anglers generally have success with cat-fishing due to the numerous kinds of catfish available which are excellent for different skill levels, you do not need to be an expert to catch this type of species.

For a beginner angler it is recommended that they go cat-fishing for the white and bull fish types. Something else that angler should keep in mind is, it is ideal to do cat-fishing in the evening as that’s the time wherein these species start searching for food. Anglers should also take note that these species are often found in the shoreline unlike other kinds of fish which commonly stay in deeper areas of fresh and seawater.