Minimum sizes at maturity are 6. Nile Perch, Nile River – Africa. The young juveniles are entirely black. The oldest known flathead was 45 years old from Three Rivers Pennsylvania. The candiru, ( Vandellia cirrhosa ), is a scaleless, parasitic catfish of the family Trichomycteridae found in the Amazon River region. Scientific name: Pangasianodon gigas. Secure a 2- to 4-ounce bell sinker to one ring of a barrel swivel or the bottom ring of a three-way swivel with 6-pound-test line. The 300-plus pounder was caught in a commercial fisherman’s net. Best Overall: Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp L141 Kahle. 9 pounds: 48. Location: Fernandina Beach, FL. Start by sliding an egg sinker or sinker slide up your main line, then connect a barrel swivel to the end of the line. Like channel catfish, the blue catfish pursues a varied diet, but it tends to eat fish earlier in life. 8 kilo - 17. It is sold in pet stores as three or four-inch juveniles but can reach an adult length of a couple of feet. “By spraying foam in the jugs, I solve that problem. 00: Aug 4, 2019: Gulf of Mexico: Tricia Conner : Angelfish, Blue 2. Most catfish species live in major river systems of the world, in both freshwater and saltwater, but some types of catfish prefer the still water of small lakes and. Which catfish grow the biggest? The Mekong giant catfish is the official freshwater heavyweight champion of the world. Alessandro Biancardi's catch was more than 9 feet long — roughly the size. The largest gafftopsail ever recorded was 27 inches and 9 pounds. You can even try strips of saltwater. The rod length when extended in either 5-feet or 6-feet. Soak the catfish in the milk. FLATHEAD AUSTRALIAN (Platycephalus fuscus) Greg Finney landed a giant flathead at Mallacoota in Victoria (Australia). Zebra danios are fast swimming, active danio fish that are amazing in. 3. W. Emerald Catfish. The belly of the hardhead is silver to white. Hardhead catfish. For big flatheads, use live bream fished on the bottom as well. Alessandro Biancardi, with from the MADCAT ITALY team, shocked the whole catfish world with a massive 9-foot-long, 330-pound catfish caught in the Po River. The Beluga Sturgeon is the source of Beluga Caviar, the most expensive kind of caviar and the most expensive food item in the world. The size of a catfish depends on its species and environment. 09 meter) and can live for up to 5 years in the right conditions. LEARN MORE. The best way to treat a Saltwater Catfish sting is to first remove all of the spines from the affected area. Plecostomus. As a versatile pursuer of the largest North American catfish species, Strickland also fishes for blue catfish with jugs above the dam and with a rod and reel below the powerhouse. What separates this enormous achievement from other world records is about 900 pounds of fish. Trophy-sized flathead catfish can reach around 4. The whiskers are harmless. Usually the cut off for eating catfish for me is 8lbs. Saltwater - shoreline tackle is similiar for size of fish as freshwater but the moment you're out on a boat fish size goes up dramatically and 30-40lb gear is not uncommon and depths of water. Spool up enough leader to allow a turn or two. Blue catfish, channel catfish, and flathead catfish are the three primary species of catfish in the United States. Is a. 3-5lbs. In 2005 a man caught a Mekong catfish of 9 feet, weighing 646 pounds , taking the world record for the biggest catfish in the world. They are a popular fish for anglers who want to eat their catch. The hardest fighting fishing pound-for-pound are billfish, tuna, grouper, mahi mahi, and tarpon in saltwater, striped bass, steelhead, and salmon in intercoastal waters, and carp and northern pike in freshwater. IGFA. Catfish can sometimes be predatory toward. The hardhead catfish, Ariopsis felis, has six whiskers, called barbels - one long pair and two shorter pairs. The largest channel catfish ever caught in South Carolina weighed 58 pounds and measured 47. Yes, you can eat saltwater catfish! If carefully cleaned, saltwater catfish are safe to eat if you avoid their pointed parts. The Biggest Saltwater Fish Ever Caught was a 2,664. Best for Treble. Go from underneath the spines put your middle finger under one and your thumb under the other on the opposite side. Both the larger, spine-like main bone and the smaller, rib-like bones are present. Catfish Top Spots. They live up to 13 years old. Bannon opts for a Penn 320 saltwater-grade levelwind, a 7-foot Ugly Stick, and 50-pound mono main. Another tiny catfish, bumblebees, grow up to 3. I understand that both of those species grow much bigger than the lowly channel catfish, making for better Instagram fodder and sorer arms. Summary. Many of Florida’s best catfish holes are in the northern and central parts of the state, but Lake Okeechobee is a standout lake in South Florida. The candiru feeds on blood and is commonly found in the gill cavities of other fishes. “So every single time it’s like an adrenaline rush that this could be the next biggest fish and it just so. What Are Saltwater Catfish? Are there saltwater catfish? There are a few species of catfish that live in saltwater. anglers will encounter, with 100-plus pounders being somewhat common. Stink bait is just one of the man-made lures used to catch catfish. Another reason why catfish get so big is because they live in warm waters. Biancardi said he decided to go in shallow water in an attempt to land it. For breeding purposes, it is recommended to keep a small group of three males and two females. The angler was using a Jackson rod and an Abu Garcia 6500 GR spooled with 16-pound Varivas line. RELATED How many species of Catfish are there? There are 40 types of catfish families in the world (30 in the U. 53 feet. This catfish is poisonous because of Its sharp barb or spines. A professional fisherman in Italy has caught what may be a world record-breaking catfish in the country's largest river. A professional fisherman in Italy reeled in a massive catfish measuring more than nine feet long last month—and may have set a new world record in the process. terrelli, which grew almost 9 m (29. The blue catfish reaches anywhere from 30-60 inches, depending on age, while the channel catfish grows 12-24 inches on average. According to a news report, Fernandes has over 100 IGFA world fishing records. White catfish have 19-23 rays, channel catfish have 24-30, and blue catfish have the longest anal fin with 30-36 rays. Salween Rita Catfish. Ken Paulie has the current all-tackle world record, with a 123. Ken Paulie caught the biggest Flathead Catfish back in 1998, and he still holds the world record, though some question its legitimacy. Length: 6. In the latter cases, the species can be identified by the number of rays in the anal fin. terrelli, which grew almost 9 m (29. 8-pound catch by Paula D. There are 2 main types of catfish in saltwater. This is probably the largest gafftopsail catfish I have ever caught or even seen. Angler Brad Gibson with a 7. The average channel catfish weighs 15-40 pounds, while blue catfish weigh 40-150 pounds, though anything over 100 pounds is impressive! The overall length of these two fish differs as well. Extra Heavy : these are the heaviest poles, and are used either for catching the biggest fish, or for fishing with extra large lures or rigs, such as over sized. 76-foot, or 267-centimeter, wels catfish caught on the River Po in February 2015 was hailed as a world record at the time, eclipsing a record 255-centimeter. com. A spotted silver fish that roams the coastline and neighboring estuaries of Mississippi, the speckled trout is a delicious game fish that primarily feeds on shrimp and other small fish. S. The anal fin is the most prominent feature of a Blue Catfish and has a straight outer edge (sometimes referred to as a “barber’s razor”) with 30–36 fin rays. Most of these farm-raised fish come from the South—primarily Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas—where the deep-fried delicacy’s true soulmate, the “hush. These sucker fish can be pretty aggressive when they get older and have the scary habit of latching onto other fish and sucking on their slime coating. Circle hooks are arguably the best hook for beginners to use and are common as saltwater fishing hooks as well. Circle hooks are arguably the best hook for beginners to use and are common as saltwater fishing hooks as well. They tend to congregate in deeper pools near faster current, but never in small streams. Hardhead catfish spawning peaks during June and July, and is most commonly done in shallow bays and estuaries. Berdell Todd caught this record breaker back in 1970, making this a 52-year-old record and counting. Spiderwire Stealth Braid Fishing Line. The blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) is the largest species of North American catfish, reaching a length of 165 cm (65 in) and a weight of 68 kg (150 lb). There is a big difference in a hardhead and a sail cat. Catfish do indeed have bones. Male flathead catfish will become so aggressive when guarding their eggs that they will kill the female if she returns to the nest. (There is an incredibly ugly looking saltwater variety of catfish, the name of which I have long since forgotten, but I know it exists because I once snagged one. Cory catfish species vary in size, but none grow very large. Florida Saltwater Fishing Records Written by Noah Chanin. The catch must be photographed over a qualifying measuring device as well as in a photo. Most Florida catfish found in the shallows range in weight to three pounds. Channel catfish live in freshwater rivers, lakes, streams and ponds throughout North. What is the. Obviously, birds and humans are also common predators. Ken Paulie has the current all-tackle world record, with a 123-pound flathead caught May 19 1998, from Elk City Reservoir in Independence, Kansas. Perhaps their most recognized traits are their catlike whiskers, or barbells, and their lack of visible scales. Wels Catfish in Italy's Po Delta river. When washing with the hose sprayer you will notice foam in the water. They can be made even more attractive by dipping them in a thinned blood bait or other clinging catfish-attracting scent. 81 lbs: Mark. Every good inshore angler knows there are just THREE basic things behind consistently catching solid inshore saltwater fish with live bait. Facts: After a year of feeding on zooplankton, Mekong cats become herbivores. Spool up enough leader to allow a turn or two. The biggest flathead caught in California was a 72 pound 14 ouncer caught by Billy Joe Potter on the Colorado River. Gafftops have extra-long dorsal fins that look. It may also be referred to as Jordan's Catfish or the West American Cat Shark. The skin of this catfish has no scales. The gulper cat Asterophysus batrachus Kner, 1858 is a member of the family Auchenipteridae (driftwood or auchenipterid catfishes), which occur in rivers from southern Central America to extreme southern South America (specifically Argentina). The auchenipterid cats all exhibit a scaleless (or “naked”) body and three pairs. White Perch (saltwater. Put your index over the top of the base of the spine and hold the fish tight enough so that it cannot shake its upper body. Think 150 gallons or bigger. Mekong catfish are severely threatened by habitat degradation and dam construction along the Mekong River. 5 ft) in length [24] and 4 t (4. The best way to treat a Saltwater Catfish sting is to first remove all of the spines from the affected area. White Catfish usually have a distinctly bicolor (two toned) body, darker on top and white, or nearly white, on the lower sides and belly. 68 oz , making it not only the new Tennessee state. Fifty- to 80-pound mono leader is advisable. Best For Most Anglers: Penn Battle II and III 5000 (click to see) “The Penn Battle is made to last and handles huge fighting fish. A reel with a retrieve ratio of 6:1 reels in line faster than a reel with a ratio of 5:1. Named because of its big mouth. It comes in two sizes: 6500 and 7000. Keith “Catfish” Sutton’s latest book, Hardcore Catfishing, was released in April last year. Best Overall: Berkley PowerBait Catfish Bait Chunks. When it comes to identifying a hardhead, they are easy to distinguish from a gafftopsail catfish. Rod. When most people think of trophy-sized catfish, they usually think of flatheads. Channel catfish are the smaller of the common catfish found in the US with flatheads and blue catfish getting quite a bit larger. Wels catfish can grow to over 250 pounds, with the IGFA All-Tackle World Record coming in at 297 pounds. He was fishing off the beach at night and caught this big salt water catfish. Obviously, this fish is not a good choice for any but the largest home aquariums. The three largest species of catfish are the Mekong giant catfish, the Wels catfish and the Piraiba catfish. The No. What Are Saltwater Catfish? Are there saltwater catfish? There are a few species of catfish that live in saltwater. Some live much longer however. Hardhead catfish have six rounded barbels that stick out from their chins like whiskers. The Florida flathead catfish is a frequent target for anglers in the Sunshine State. March 23, 2023. Davis proudly stands beside his 69-pound flathead. At least that’s the way I see it. These stand out because they are short and stiff. Hardheads and sail catfish are perhaps two of the most widely populated saltwater catfish along the coastal waters of Florida. What is a saltwater catfish? Several species are considered saltwater catfish, but the two most common are the hardhead catfish and gafftop or sail catfish. Aguiar caught this fish, which weighed 341 pounds and 11 ounces, back in 2009. The Freshwater Catfish has 4 pairs of barbels surrounding the mouth, and sharp serrated dorsal- and pectoral-fin spines which are venomous and can cause a very. Hardheads get their name from the bony plate between their eyes and dorsal fin. Food Habits: Crayfish, frogs, fish or insects. On February 15, 1976, angler Edward Walbel caught a 13-pound and 1-ounce largemouth bass at Stone Quarry Lake, the largest ever caught in Illinois. In 2005, a man caught a 9-foot-long, 646-pound Mekong catfish, breaking the world record for the world's largest catfish. [26]Blue catfish are highly productive and create high numbers of offspring each reproductive cycle. Mississippi Angler Smashes State Record With 131-Pound Blue Catfish. They can taste something by simply touching it with their barbels. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries reports the biggest known blue catfish was 143 pounds, “caught in an inland lake on the Virginia–North Carolina border”. These barbels help the catfish find crabs, fish and shrimp in the muddy bays where they live. Gafftopsail catfish get their name. Diet: Omnivore. Oftentimes you’ll be getting a bunch of nibbles, then your rod will go silent, then the next thing you know, you have a big red on. 02 lbs: Lance David Walker. Dino e Dario. Record Blue Catfish. From freshwater bass, crappie and catfish to saltwater tuna, marlin and sharks, you can find a variety of fish to challenge your skills. Fish range from 1 pound to over 60 pounds. Fernandes’ redtail catfish was 123 pounds 7 ounces (56 kilograms) and 4. Ken Paulie with the world-record flathead caught in 1998. Corydoras Panda Regular price $12. Use fresh bait. The size range of catfish is large; from about five inches to almost six feet. As the sun rises, it gradually warms up the water, which stimulates catfish to leave their nocturnal resting spots and search for food, making it arguably the best time to catch blue catfish, flathead catfish, channel. Fish are classified as either freshwater or saltwater based on their habitat, and this is the key difference between saltwater and freshwater fish. image: Lynn Chan | Flickr | CC BY 2. ** Because of Federal regulations, these species can no longer be legally retained and must be released alive, the record listed will remain. The record was set in 1959 by Alfred Dean off the coast of Ceduna, Australia. IGFA. 5 meters long and weighs more than 21. The younger catfish are usually better eating, as the bigger fish are. Flathead catfish are the second largest North American catfish species behind the blue catfish. 46 lbs: Robert P. /Intracoastal August 1977 *2. In this article, we will rank 10 of these incredible creatures by size. Saltwater fish are generally much harder on gear and stronger fighters than freshwater fish. Mekong Giant Catfish. Cobia. However, most blue catfish are not sexually mature until they reach about 24 inches in length. , with up to 10 lbs. Brown Bullhead: 7 pounds, 6 ounces, caught by Glenn Collacuro at Mahopac Lake in New York in 2009. What is the biggest catfish caught in the Red River? September 24, 2022 by Brent Pollock. The largest catfish ever caught is the Mekong catfish. The all-tackle world record Eurasian catfish was caught July 4, 1997 by angler Shoji Matsuura from Lake Biwa in Shiga, Japan. The typical length is about 25–46 in (64–117 cm). The Myth: Scuba divers working around big dams have seen enormous catfish hiding in rocky lairs beneath the surface. His 21. The giant devil catfish, or goonch. Sprinkle Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper evenly on both sides. 4 short tons) [25] in weight. Catfish (or catfishes; order Siluriformes / s ɪ ˈ lj ʊər ɪ f ɔːr m iː z / or Nematognathi) are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. In comparison, the easier-to-find, well. Channel catfish are one of four catfish species in the U. But fish approaching or exceeding 100 pounds are caught. Sailcats. The common name, hardhead catfish, is derived from the presence of a hard, bony plate extending. A close look reveals the sharp spines that support the dorsal, or back, fin and the pectoral fins on the fish's sides. The dorsal and pectoral fins each are supported by a sharp, slime-covered barbed spine. With their huge mouths and low-set eyes, these large shark catfish trawl the waters of the mighty Mekong, feeding on huge quantities of plant matter. Temperature: 74-80°F. White Catfish. 0 lb) and 69 cm (27 in) in length. Some fish species, like catfish, feed from the bottom, but also spend time at different levels. The blue catfish is a ray-finned fish, a species of catfish, and the largest species of all North American catfish. The record-setting fish weighed 69. Other large finned fish such as Cobia, eat catfish as well. Prefilled with quality. They multiply and can reach three feet or more in length – making them some of the biggest freshwater fish! The meat from hardhead catfish is high in protein. This fish can reach lengths of up to 5 feet and weights over 200 pounds, but many claim they can become much larger. 25-inch girth. Dave Chermanski. The white sturgeon is the largest freshwater fish in North America. The biggest channel catfish ever caught in Florida weighed 44. 9) The 280-Pounder. Range: Blue catfish are native to the Mississippi River basin. 9 lbs and measured 48 inches long. Anglers are usually annoyed by the catfish, but if you’re just looking for some action, on some days, the catfish can save the day by always being willing to bite. Alessandro Biancardi, with from the MADCAT ITALY team, shocked the whole catfish world with a massive 9-foot-long, 330-pound catfish caught in the Po River. These peaceful fish are so much fun to watch as they cruise around the bottom of the tank looking for food in the substrate. Saltwater Catfish. These massive creatures can weigh over 600 pounds and are critically endangered due to overfishing. The redtail catfish is a freshwater fish of the Pimelodidae family. Next wash with soap, then soak for about 30 min in warm water. (You might be interested. This is what not only allows you to pull in these large amounts of line quickly but gives you good power to “winch” in big cats. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork. occurring in some waters. Most catfish live in freshwater. and the largest known saltwater fish is the whale shark (which averages 12. Best for Treble. The underparts have a pinkish suffusion, which is most evident in males. The Pictus Catfish is a nocturnal fish, so don't expect much activity during the day. The eggs hatch quickly after a mere 5 to 10 days. The dorsal and pectoral fins have sharp, venomous serrated spines. 5-pound, former world-record blue cat. Here is just a short list of why I hate catching saltwater catfish (or more like why I hate it when they bite my line while I am fishing for an inshore fish like a snook,. 3-pound white catfish absolutely shattered the previous Connecticut state record white cat, which was a mere 12. m. The White Catfish has white chin barbels. Blue Catfish World Record. Alligator Gar Bait Rig: The Hi-Vis Cable Rig. Adult sucker fish reach up to 12 inches long, and some species of sucker fish grow up to 24 inches. They have a slender, elongated shape with a forked tail and slighlty flattened head. 6. Native to the eastern coastlines of North, Central. 0 oz. Sciaenops ocellatus. 3. “A big catfish can pull a jug down so deep that the sides of the jugs will collapse,” Adams explains. They spawn once a year from late May into June, mostly in lower-salinity streams and smaller tributaries. 1-888-392-8545. 0–7. Both are abundant in the waters of the Gulf area and commonly encountered when fishing for other species. Adult Size: 2 inches. Numerous species from the families Ariidae and Plotosidae, and a few species from among the Aspredinidae and Bagridae, are found in salt water. The stingray was snagged by a local fisherman south. There’s a whole lot more swimming around down there than bass, trout, walleye, and catfish. Yes, you can eat saltwater catfish, and they are not poisonous. YELLOWFIN TUNA. If you’re sick of catching catfish with cut bait, try out these four tips: Use circle hooks. This video shows how to catch catfish, how to clean catfish and how to cook catfish…Specifically hardhead catfish which are a saltwater catfish. com. Their natural habitats are found at the bottom of river beds and are native to the Amazon, Orinoco, and Parnaíba River basins. Most redtail catfish, however, do not get this big. Published October. On this adventures Trapper Terry reels in a RECORD SALTWATER SAIL CATFISH! Teaming up with Lifeguard Lou they have a crazy day filled with excitement! Trappe. To keep the checks coming, he needs to keep the YouTube machine fed, and in winter, with big-fish opportunities scarce in the Philly area, a four-hour, one-way jaunt to D. Color Pattern: Red and white stripes with yellow. Here are 10 of the biggest alligator gar ever caught. If your fish does not qualify as a state record, the Big Catch Angler Recognition Program rewards anglers who catch a memorable-sized fish. It’s the largest artificial reef in the area and home to a range of exciting fish species. The Hardhead catfish can grow to 28-30″ in length and about 12 pounds. Take Our A-Z-Animals Fish Quiz. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation. 5 inches long and a 30-inch girth. “It’s the biggest catfish. The best catfish angling on the Coosa River is at Lay Lake and Lake Mitchell. The following list of state saltwater fishing records is according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. There really isn’t any more details about Fernandes’ catch, but he did use a fiberglass Sportex rod to land the redtail catfish. Meanwhile, we commercially produced another 307 million pounds here at home. The giant lizard weighed around 14 kilogram - 29 lb. Although they start very small when sold at the fish store, these catfish can grow up to a few feet long in the wild. 25 inches long with a girth of about 30 inches. Department of. Okay, they’re classic everything bait. Of all the commonly known catfish species, the flathead surely takes the prize of Top Ugly. 7 feet long. Most of the time a small setup like this will get the job done. The most common saltwater catfish species are the hardhead catfish ( Ariopsis felis) and the gafftopsail catfish ( Bagre marinus) though they are not found in the aquarium hobby. The three largest species of catfish are the Mekong giant catfish, the Wels catfish and the Piraiba. What is the biggest Wels catfish? The official all-tackle world record for a wels. 41 kg (11 pound, 15 ounce) smallmouth has seen its share of controversy over the years. 5 – 34. Often, blue catfish. 7 meter long and weighed 100 lb / 45 kg. Reportedly, the biggest ever recorded weighed 317 pounds and stretched 9 feet, 1 inch and came out of the Po Delta in Italy. During your New York state lakes vacation, I love staying in the lakeside town of Skaneateles while adventuring on the lake’s waters. We specialize in importing and breeding rare and exotic fish from around the world. This is the saltwater “Hardhead” catfish. Here’s how to clean saltwater catfish: Using a sharp knife, cut the skin off the saltwater catfish starting from the fin down to the tail on either side before removing the head. The catfish can discharge a shock of up to 450 volts to defend itself and capture prey. The blue catfish can grow to enormous sizes, with a recent record weight of 143 lbs (65 kg). Species. The diverse ecosystem of the Coosa River features mussels, crawfish, fish, birds, and snails, offering a rich feeding environment for fish of all species. The pressure from the hose sprayer gets all of the blood out of the fish. Sail cats you can eat the others I would not recommend. In this video I will show you how to fillet a catfish the easiest way possible. [11] [12] In the Southern United States, catfish species may be known. Picture. No other details about the catch are recorded by the IGFA, but subsequent stories say the fish was 15 inches long and had an incredible 18. Angler: Edward Davis. White Hake: 41 pounds, 7 ounces, caught in 1989 by Wayne Eble off of Barnegat Light. Key Takeaways. [3] It was described by Eduard Rüppell in 1837, originally under the genus Bagrus. 3-pound white catfish absolutely shattered the previous Connecticut state record white cat, which was a mere 12. Zebra danios are peaceful and hardy fish that are easy to care for. 5 pounds with larger fish caught in the. The most important step is to get the fish weighed as soon as possible on a certified scale. Alessandro Biancardi, an Italian angler, pulled an enormous, 9. It is one of four species in the genus Ariopsis. Some catfish prefer stagnant water and others call rivers and streams with fast-moving currents their homes, it all depends. In 2021 alone, we imported around 256 million pounds of it from other countries. marinus (has two chin barbels and spines with long filaments) Size: Up to 24 inches (12 pounds) The 5 Biggest Saltwater Trophy Fish Ever Caught in South Carolina. “It was almost like pulling in a 30-inch striper,” Tomkunas. Best Premium Option: Penn Spinfisher VI 7500 (click to see)And, of course, there’s also a wide range of sizes when it comes to catfish. Field & Stream Online Editors. usgs. Salt Catfish. The record was set in 1959 by Alfred Dean off the coast of Ceduna, Australia. What is the biggest whale catfish ever caught? The official all-tackle world record for a wels catfish is 297 pounds, 9 ounces caught March 11, 2010 by Attila Zsedely in Italy’s River Po. In 2019, a new state record for flathead catfish was set when Marvin Griffen caught one that weighed a whopping 69. As they grow, the body ends up being yellow and brownish or white, horizontal stripes appear. Species: Flathead catfish. This can be in the middle of a big shoal, in a deep-water bend of the river with large boulders or on the bank behind a tree in the water. What You Need You also want to use hefty gear, as these fish are not only big, but are likely the strongest of the catfish family. His fish is 30 pounds heavier than the next biggest catfish. The largest and most well known species was D. Bristle Nose Pleco. Freshwater Records 5) Smallmouth Buffalo: 82. Jeremy Fortner. Saltwater catfish aren’t that big so you can use a light or medium tackle with any reel. Dredge the fillets in the flour in a shallow bowl and shake off the excess. The largest saltwater catfish is the Hardhead catfish. Giant sunfish sets new record for world’s largest bony fish. 7 meters) and as big as a grizzly bear, the behemoth tipped the scales at 646 pounds (293 kilograms) Experts say the fish, which belongs to the species known as the Mekong giant catfish, may be the largest freshwater fish ever recorded. Like many marine fish, it is dark on top and light on bottom. The Omaha resident has dialed in a few rivers and streams in Nebraska, where he’ll fish through the night in the hopes of hooking a giant. 30 Emile Charvet IV Harvey Outfall January. They reside in both the Atlantic and more heavily in the Gulf of Mexico. [26] Blue catfish are highly productive and create high numbers of offspring each reproductive cycle. 2-ounces, measuring 40. The largest catfish ever caught is the Mekong catfish. One of the most popular saltwater catfish species is the hardhead catfish, which can be found along coastal waters from. amberjack, greater: amberjack: brian s. Tim Shugrue is vice president of Congressional Seafood in Jessup, MD, which is the largest processor of blue catfish around the Bay. Alligators and Otters can both be predators depending on the region the catfish is in. Description. Cobia, with an average length of three to four feet, have a torpedo-shaped body. Species Weight Length Date WaterBody Angler Bait/Lure; Amberjack, Greater 133. This reel from Abu Garcia is one of the best baitcasting reels for catfish in terms of sheer power.