Facts About Channel Catfish

A channel catfish has a smooth slender body with skin instead of scales like other fish have. This type of fish is recognized by its forked tail and flat head, as well as the typical catfish whiskers or barbells. Channel catfish are generally smaller than Blue Cats another type of catfish. Channel cats averagely measure between 12 and 24 inches long, with the largest known channel cat weighing in at 38 pounds.

If you are looking for channel catfish you will be able to locate them in their preferred environment of cool, deep, clear water with a slow current and a sandy or rocky bottom. These catfish prefer to be surrounded by water and don't hang out close to the shore. The channel cat female can lay up to 4000 eggs at one time in the spring, these eggs are laid in a nest that the male makes on the bottom of the river, ocean, lake or pond. After the female lays the eggs the male will chase her away from the nest. Staying there himself to watch over and protect the eggs for up to 10 days until they hatch. The babies will stay near the nest for several days before heading off on their own.

Baby channel catfish have a few stages before they are considered fully grown channel cats. New born baby catfish are called sac fry until they reach the fingerling size of four inches. Baby channel cats like most other catfish eat almost anything; they grow quickly and enjoy insect larvae and crayfish, even seeds that fall in the water.

Fishermen know that the best time to catch catfish is at night; this is because that is when they feed, and also they don't have to worry much about catching other fish at that time because they aren't night feeders. The whiskers on a channel cat aren't just for looks; they use these to find food in the dark, not relying on their sight much at all. This means that when you are fishing for channel cats, you don't have to worry about using bright line or fancy lures. But you do need to use bait that the fish will be able to smell and feel. You can buy catfish bait, or use simple things like red worms, dough balls, chicken livers and cheese to catch channel catfish with.

When fishing for channel cats you need to use a good strong line, as well as a durable rod and reel. Catfish are strong and will run for the bottom and can put up quite a fight, it would be a shame to lose a record fish because your rod broke. You will also need to make sure that you have a hook that is large enough to catch a large fish and weights to take your line down deep enough to catch this elusive bottom dwelling channel catfish.

Resources: My son Bryan Guevara the cat fisherman, wikipedia, Southern Regional Aquaculture Center