Catfish Facts:
CatFishing The Fun Awesome Freshwater CatFish. All you need to know information on Catfish Facts. Learn about the different kinds of Amazing Catfish and their habitat. Including Fun Facts Bait and Tackle Facts, Nickname Facts, and lots more on these amazing Mustached Fish! Learn how to catch more cat fish here at Catfishing.ca
Memories from Catching your first Catfish
I remembered a day I tооk mу ѕоn- Little Brad with me fishing when he saw a саt fіѕh for the fіrѕt tіmе еvеr after we had caught it fishing in the river, аftеr looking at it for a spell he cried out, “Dad look at that fish it has a mustache!”. Lol, C’mon that was funny right? Well maybe not but it was at the time and its quite the description for a cat fish!
WHY IN FACT IS IT CALLED A CATFISH?
Most people find it difficult to figure out the reason for the name selected for this freshwater fish. But considering the obvious physical characteristic facts of catfish, the conclusion can be deduced on the whiskers as being the culprit for its name.
The facts remain that catfish are diverse group of ray finned freshwater fish. They are named based on the large, prominent barbels protruding around their mouth. These barbels resemble that of a cats whiskers, with the responding movement of these also matching that of a cats. So without much need for deep thought on the subject, the name catfish came to life.
What is a Catfish Actually?
The Catfish is a type of fish usually found in freshwater. These kinds of fish are stout bodied with large heads and extremely strong fish. Not to mention the facts that catfish also have large thin feelers around their mouth.
The Facts About Eating Catfish
People often ask: Are catfish good to eat? The answer is an outstanding Yes! Catfish and Talipia are both becoming some of the most consumed fish in the USA. Taste is dependent on the species and size caught or purchased for dinner, and where it was caught or raised. For the most part Catfish like other species are safe to consume, but some are not. It all depends on the body of water caught or raised from.
Freshwater sports fisherman should check their local provincial or state guides for consumption of fish in your area. The facts are some catfish contain higher levels of metals, pcbs, etc than others. This is common for fish species however. The better place your fish was raised, or body of water caught in, the safer it is to consume.
The facts remain that catfish are very nutritious, and good for what the body needs. Heart healthy active vitamins and minerals. Not to mention that catfish are very reasonably priced for us here in North America.
Catfish Fun Facts :
Funny Catfish Nickname Facts
In the USA, Catfish species may be known by a variety of slang terms and odd but cool nicknames such as:
- “Mud Cat”
- “Polliwogs”
- or “Chuckle-heads”
These nicknames are not standardized though, so one area may call a bull head catfish by the nickname “chuckle-head” while another state or region the nickname may refer to a blue catfish.
WHAT DOES CATFISH MEAN IN FACT?
After the discovery of how the name Catfish was coined from the feelers and cat whisker look, Catfish just means Fish with whiskers like that of a cat! It is a fish with thin feelers known as barbels around the mouth and these fish are without scales on their body and have a thick tough slippery skin in place of the scales.
ARE CATFISH REAL? The Fact is they are!
Wow, are they ever and facts are their not only real but catfish are very popular and abundant. Found іn freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, and seas. The facts are that catfish belong at the top of the world charts for largest fresh water fish species. These fish are both beautiful and unique in their own way. Not to mention sometimes even larger in weight and size than the people fishing them!
IS CATFISH A FISH? (YUP) its a Fact!
Absolutely the fact is a Catfish is a Fish. Catfish belongs to the same family of all other fresh water animals possessing all of the characteristics as all other fish species. The only difference is the presence and positioning of the barbels, and its large skull and scale less body. It’s now dominating the population of the large fresh water river habitats based on the massive rate at which this sometimes nonnative and invasive species reproduces.
Factual Description for a Catfish
Catfish Scientific (Siluriformes) are freshwater aquatic animals known as elite for their prominent and large size heads. Not to mention the odd and usual feelers around the mouth found in two pairs on either side. These awesome freshwater fish are also quite stout as well as smooth to touch without scales.
The 3 Largest most Awesome Catfish Species Facts:
These catfish come in 3 major large size species:
- The Mekong Giant Catfish from Southeast Asia
- The Wels Catfish of Eurasia
- The Piraiba Catfish of South America
3 Main SPECIES Facts for Freshwater Catfish
The 3 main types of Catfish Include
- Blue Catfish (Icalurus Furcatus)
- Channel Catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus)
- Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis Olivaris)
AVERAGE SIZE OF CATFISH
The fact is that catfish grow continually. What this means is that the older a fish becomes, the larger it usually is when caught. On average, a channel cat weights between 2-7 pounds. They measure between 12-14 inches long typically for its species. However, many have grown to be much larger than this. This is shown by the record being weighed in at whopping 58 pounds, measuring 52 inches in length! How about that latching on to your hook!
World Record Largest Size of Catfish Ever Caught
The Mekong Giant Catfish is the largest of the species. It can grow to Enormous sizes up to 10 feet and weigh up to 650 pounds. On the verge of extinction unfortunately as of 2014, it belongs to the shark catfish family.
Fisherman in Northern Thailand once netted such a huge fish in the Mekong River. It was nearly nine feet long and referred to being as big as a grizzly bear. This monster fish tipped the scales at a whopping 646 pounds.
More record facts for Catfish include:
From back in July 2010 Greg Bernal of Florissant Missouri got a 130 pound fish
Length: 57 Inches
Girth: 45 Inches
NORTH AMERICA RECORD SIZE CATFISH
The blue catfish (Iсtаluruѕ furcatus) Is the largest species of catfish in North America. The blue catfish can reach a length of 65 inches and weigh up to 150 pounds with the average length being about 25 -46 inches (64–117 сm).
Bait Facts: BEST BAITS TO CATCH CATFISH
Based on the catfish type and size, different baits will have various effects in catching the three most common types of catfish.
Number One tried and true Catfish Bait Known Fact is Worms, and if you need a lot of them or want to go into the Worm Farming Business for yourself, as a hobby or full scale business then Check Out
Fishing for Blue Catfish
Gizzard and Threadfin shad along with Skipjack herring are great choices to use. Also use fresh whole or cut baits like carp, drumfish, etc, and the oilier the better for a nice smelly grease slick to bring catfish in.
When Channel Catfishing for small channel catfish its advised to use prepared baits like dip or punch baits. However when fishing for larger size channel cats the use of dead fish whole or cut up like shad or carp will do the trick.
Fishing for Flathead Catfish
Active and lively baits are good for flat heads. Live perch, gold fish, minnows, and worms are a great live bait choice. Of course using lures for catfish that act like live bait may also catch these fish as well.
Interesting General Catfish Facts
- Catfish are an omnivorous fish with an average lifespan that varies depending on the species from ten to twelve years plus. With the big specie type averaging five feet for bigger fish with weights up to 99 lbs.
- Blue catfish are most found in large rivers, channels, and tributaries of major river systems like the Tennessee River. They move upstream in the summer to search for cooler waters when needed and head south downstream again in the winter.
- Electrofishing efforts for the control of catfish considered an invasive species have caught up to 6000 in one hour
- These fish are prolific breeders, with some species spawning and laying up to 100,000 eggs when conditions are optimal.
- Flatheads in size are the second largest sport fish in Texas after the blue catfish
- Flathead catfish have been introduced into both the East and Western portions of the United States. This has thus threatened not only biodiversity but human health (they accumulate toxins) and other fishing industries.
- Strong winds associated with hurricanes that pass near the Atchafalaya River Basin can disturb and harm aquatic communities, resulting in extensive fish kills. The hurricanes of Andrew and Gustav were each the cause of up to an estimated 100 million fish kills.
- 3000 plus river catfish were tagged in hopes of documenting their behavior. This was completed as part of a large scaled tagging and monitoring study to help authorities develop better protection programs.
Life Span Length Catfish Fact
Depending on the type of species, catfish can in fact live from eight to twenty years, although the Mekong giant lives 60 plus years. The total amount of species has been cataloged at almost 3000 types, however, its said that up to 4500 exist.
Favorite Food Catfish Fact
Favorite Food Catfish FactDon’t forget to bring the liver! One of the most popular bait types for catfish is in fact, chicken liver. You wont usually catch monsters off of this bait but it will bring them in from far away. Use a treble hook and attach it in there really good so it does not fly off when you cast. Make a lob cast to keep it intact.
Cool Catfish Fact: Catfish can Smell!
When fishing for catfish pay attention to fact that they have a keen sense for smells. Catfish hunt down their food with those mustache like whiskers which are highly loaded with sensors for the fish to detect smells. That’s why some of the most highly effective baits on the market are stinky and oily. Yes, they stink but besides the smelly residue on your fingers after baiting the hook, you can be sure it will bring in the catfish.
Best Tackle Catfish Facts
Use Circle Hooks. These type of hook make it difficult for catfish to get away, in fact if they bite it just right you wont even need to set the hook. Stay away from barbed hooks for catfishing and other fish as well.
Besides the use of barb less hooks is often time mandated for use in lot of different areas. Be sure to check the local rules and regulations for fishing in your area.
Fishing Rod Holders are great to use. When fishing for catfish your fishing for potentially large size fish. Make sure your rod is secure in one of these poked into the ground or bye bye expensive rod and reel.
When a big one hits you better be holding the rod or put it into a sturdy rod holder on the ground or you will be sorry when you lose the big one along with your tackle. Finally, get yourself a decent type of fishing reel brand, make, and model.
Habitat Catfish Facts
- Fish near submerged structure. Catfish like many other fish types like to hang out and hunt in or close by to submerged structure. These can include sunken trees, branches, and man made fish cribs, even old picnic tables and junk thrown in the water can then become a fish structure. Many fisherman in fact do make their own structures and sink them in a favorite area. Just make sure its legal, and environmentally friendly. You do not want anything polluting and poisoning the water. Always check your state or provincial fishing regulations for limitations and legalities.
Economic Catfish Facts:
Catfish are a very important fact in the lives of many people for several different economic reasons. Catfish are highly valued and of considerable importance for commercial use. Many of the large species are fished for food or farmed for food in many different countries.
While smaller species of catfish are known to be important facts to the aquarium hobby industry. Also as these fish are very resilient and live long lives, their hardiness is good for stocking purposes. Live stocking for fishing derby’s all over North America is a popular source of income for commercial fisherman. Not to mention fun and reaction for local residents, and tourism dollars. These fish are also great for helping to stock ponds and inland lakes to keep the habitat clean.
Habitat Catfish Facts: Where do they Hangout?
All catfish species live inland or in the coastal area waters of every continent besides Antarctica of course. The most diverse areas of catfish species are in tropical South America, Asia, Africa, North America, and Europe.
The fact is they are found in freshwater environments. Most catfish inhabit shallow, running water, while some prefer the mud and others like brackish and saltier waters. This usually occurs where rivers meet up with and start to mix with ocean water.
Catfishing Facts Conclusion:
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