Hardhead Catfish, Seacat or Sea Catfish-all year round

Description

Dingy gray on the sides and back and four barbels under the mouth. They also have two more situated at the corners of the mouth.

Size

Mostly between half a pound and two pounds depending upon the size of bait used.

Food Value

The Hispanics think that they are wonderful and even Wal-Mart sells them! Apparently whole  catfish or halved catfish make an excellent tarpon bait,  so we are told by the Good Old Boys from Orange Harbour and  but then there is fact and then there is fiction.

Game Qualities

Most anglers would consider this species to be a pest but a fish is a fish. After their initial couple of plunges they are like damp squids. However catching them on light tackle can be considered by some, including myself, to be good fun or is it sport?

Tackle and Baits

Lighter tackle using live shrimp, dead shrimp, bits of cut bait, liver, sausage and anything that is meat based, all fished on the bottom with a small ledger weight.