{"id":6602,"date":"2019-02-20T14:36:58","date_gmt":"2019-02-20T14:36:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rangetoreel.com\/?p=6602"},"modified":"2019-02-20T14:37:00","modified_gmt":"2019-02-20T14:37:00","slug":"identify-different-catfish-species","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rangetoreel.com\/identify-different-catfish-species\/","title":{"rendered":"Different Catfish Species: Identify 4 Main Types"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Most fish look like each other at first glance, but there’s no mistaking a catfish. Covered in skin rather than scales and barbels coming out of their mouths they’re easily recognizable. However, there are a few different species that you’ll have to sort through. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Identifying a Catfish<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Members of the catfish family all have barbels around their mouths. Like a cats whiskers, they use these barbels to feel their way around the environment looking for food. They literally taste their way around the lake floor chowing down on anything that comes through their path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They’re also one of the few species that have a skin rather than scales. They can actually taste food through their skin earning the nickname “swimming tongues” (never actually heard someone say this, but you’ve gotta trust wikipedia)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sport Fishing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Due to their sheer size and strength catfish are growing in popularity among sportfisherman<\/g>. Throw them in the deep fryer and you’ll immediately see why there are<\/g> so many catfisherman<\/g> in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With an excellent taste and tackle-busting fight they make for one hell of a sport fish. Just make sure you learn how to properly handle them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Handling a Catfish<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Doesn’t matter what type of catfish species you’re going after they all need to be handled the same way. Make sure you’re careful around their pectoral and dorsal fins. The spines are sharp, especially on younger catfish, and will really tear through your hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting stuck with a catfish fin definitely won’t be fatal, but it’s going to get nasty fast and be extremely painful. Make sure you bring along a first aid kit and treat your wound immediately before you get an infection(check out my first aid kit<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catfish Don’t Sting<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There’s a common misconception that catfish sting, but that’s simply not true no matter the species. Can’t even count how many times I’ve been told “Catfish Sting” and it’s starting to get a little old. Catfish whiskers\/barbels and fins don’t sting, but that doesn’t mean you just want to grab them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catfish Whiskers are Harmless<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Catfish whiskers are harmelss, they’re soft to the touch and very pliable. Touching them might be scary, but it’s no different than touching the whiskers on a cat.(grabbing a cat by the whiskers might not be a good idea)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch The Fins<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The biggest areas of concern are the dorsal and pectoral fins. There’s a hard spine that runs through them that will quickly tear through your hands. These spines actually contain a venom that causes swelling when it punctures the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small Catfish are More Dangerous<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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When grabbing a small catfish you’re going to want to grab him from the top directly behind the top dorsal fin. Rest your hand behind the dorsal spine and really wrap your hand around him. As the fish gets larger you’ll have a hard time controlling him this way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grabbing Larger Catfish<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

If the catfish is bigger than 8 pounds you aren’t going to be able to get your hand around him. With a bigger catfish<\/g> you’re best<\/g> bet is to use a “lip grip” tool rather than trying to wrestle him(you’ll just get stabbed). I’m a huge fan of the Berkley Lip Grip<\/a> with a built in<\/g> digital scale.(<\/g>check out the tape measure version<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue Catfish<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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