Both CoastsEast CoastFresh WaterWest Coast Inland Inshore Offshore Rivers and Streams Surf Baitfish Carp Bait Chum Clam Crabs Crickets Cutbait Dough Balls Earthworms Flies Lures Sand Fleas Shrimp Squid Fish Name Family Water Avg. Size BaitfishBastardBillfishBlack BassBream / PerchCatfishCichlidCroakerDrumsFlounderGarGrouperGruntJackMackeral / TunaMisc. FreshwaterMulletPorgyPufferRays / SkatesReef FishSharkSnapperSnookStriped BassTooth And Spine Fresh Salt Coastal Waters - Deliciousness Technique Tackle Considered A Better Game Fish Than Dinner FareDecent PanfishEdible, But More Commonly Used As A BaitfishExcellentExcellent When SmallExcellent When Small .Larger Fish Have A Stronger Taste But Still Good.Excellent When Small / Large Can Be PoisonousExcellent When Small And Good When LargeGoodGood But Typically Not Eaten, Please Release For Others To EnjoyGood If SmokedGood PanfishGood When Small And Bled After CaughtGood, But More Commonly Used As A BaitfishNonePoorProtected And Not EatenUsed As Bait, Not As Table FareUsually Too Small To Eat, Very BonyVery GoodVery GoodVery Good. But Poisonous, Better To Not Bother With Bobber Casting Drifting Still Fishing Trolling Weights Baitcasting Cast Net Spinning Fly Tackle

Gafftopsail Catfish

AKA: Sail Cat / Schooner-Rig Catfish / Joe Cat Family: Tooth And Spine

The Gafftopsail Catfish is characterized by a grey to silvery or darker upper body with a white to silvery underside. His head is somewhat flattened and stretched forward, at the corners of his mouth, are log "whiskers" with a pair of barbels under his chin. His body is coated with a sludgey bacterial slime, as are his dorsal and pectoral fins, which have long streamers flowing from the tips, and when poked by them, the slime "venom" will enter the wound and make for a painful experience.

These fish are found in all near shore and inshore waters, prefering the later, roaming open and soft bottoms, but also ventures further from shore than his cousin and is found in greater numbers along the coast than the Hardhead as well.

Live and dead shrimp as well as cutbait are the best natural baits, while the occasional topwater plug may work when targeting with artificials.

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