Gafftopsail Catfish(Bagre marinus)

Quick Facts

  • Size Range: Max weight 10 pounds
  • Native Species?: Yes
  • Food Value: Poor, as they have risk of ciguatera toxin.

State Record

  • Louisiana State Record: 11.06lbs
  • State Record Date: 10/1/1996
  • State Record Holder Elie Pellegrin

A broad-headed catfish with long whiskers and a tall dorsal fin, the gafftopsail cat has a silver blue body with smooth, very slimy skin. They are so slimy that they will often leave slime on your leader after a bite. Their pectoral and dorsal fins have a serrated barb in them that is coated with a venomous slime that can cause painful wounds.

They are common in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. They live in coastal waters and can be quite common. They are versatile in their feeding habits, taking live prey as well as scavenging by smell.

They are normally caught on dead or live bait but will sometimes take lures as well. They are strong fighters and can surprise you when they blast a topwater plug.

Related Habitats:
Other Fin Fish Species: Mahogany Snapper Spotted Bass Warmouth Longear Sunfish Flathead Catfish Bonnethead Shark Atlantic Sharpnose Shark Banded Rudderfish
SHARE THIS

There are Currently No Videos to Display

Related Fishing Methods

Bottom fishing is normally about fishing bottom structures in order to target benthic or bottom dwelling fish. There are a wide variety of techniques, but the common element is the targeting of species who dwell around or hide in natural and man-made structures. Fish like grouper, snapper, amberjack and catfish would be considered bottom fish. It is very popular amongst anglers and success is often determined by the fishermen's ability to crank a fish away from the structure before the fish can duck into it and cut the line. Anchoring or drifting the boat over the structure is key to having success. There are many versions, and many of the bottom fish are prized eating.

Dead bait consists of many different types of bait that is no longer alive. Dead bait is still attractive to many fish as they are normally feeding by smell and dead bait is the ticket for smell. Fresh cut fish, dead shrimp, half crab, shucked clam, cut squid and all popular examples of bait that will catch a wide variety of fish. Many sport fish that are predators, will gladly take the opportunity to slurp up a fresh dead bait. A redfish is equally happy to chase down a baitfish or slurp up a dead shrimp on the bottom. Dead bait has the benefit is being easy to obtain, maintain and transport, as opposed to live bait which takes livewells, quality water control and can be harder to obtain.

Live bait is a term given to many different types of fish, crustaceans, insects and worms that are popular food items for fish and used by fishermen for bait. There are many benefits to live bait as well as a few cons. The pros normally out weigh the negatives, and live bait is widely used. The biggest benefit for fishermen is that they are using the real thing and often puts a fish's guard down. Small fish, crabs, shrimp, clams, crickets and the good ole earthworm are all used to entice a fish to the hook. The only negatives to live bait is just that, keeping it alive. Sometimes catching it can be a challenge, as only some species can be bought as live bait. No matter how you get it, live bait is a great way to target many types of fish.