1. Catfish, Bait, and Catfishing Techniques
Aquaculture

2. Objectives
Identify three major breeds of catfish on a quiz with 100% accuracy.
Describe each different catfishing techniques learned in the lesson on an exam with 95% accuracy.
Identify catfish anatomy terms discussed in class on a test with 95% accuracy.
Compare and contrast different catfishing techniques in a paper with 90% accuracy.

3. Just a few questions before we get started….

4. Catfish terms

5. Catfish Species
All three species can be commercially grown in the United States

6. Catfish (general) Catfish do not have scales, but have smooth skin
The fins have venom in them
When you are poked you have severe pain, possible swelling, and stiffness in joints
Be careful when handling catfish

7. Blue Catfish Largest of species Blueish gray colored
Can reach 120 pounds
Blueish gray colored
Have a forked tail

8. Blue Catfish Mainly reside in large rivers and lakes
Like deep areas and secluded holes
Mainly eat gizzard shad

9. Flathead Catfish
Also called: Yellow Cat, Opelousa Cat, Pied Cat, Mississippi Cat, Mud Cat, Shovelhead Cat
Second largest species
Dark brown colored
VERY FLAT head

10. Flathead Catfish Prefer slow current and very cloudy waters
Prey on live fish only, like shad and sunfish, they are not scavengers
Nest in logs, rocks, and dense covering

11. Channel Catfish Third largest species
Yellowish colored with definite spots
Like swift gravel covered areas
Small fish and crawdads

13. Baits
Gizzard Shad
Crawdads
Sunfish
Stink bait
Worms

14. Catfishing Techniques
Pole fishing
Trotlines/Troutlines
Jugs/floaters
Limb lines
Noodling
Other techniques

15. Pole fishing Can be as simple as a stick with a line, hook, and bait
Modern poles have line on a reel where you can reel in your catch

16. Trotlines/ trout lines
a long heavy duty fishing line with many shorter lines and hooks attached to it (usually suspended between buoys)

17. Jugs/ floaters A main line is tied to the jug or floater
Leader lines with hooks are tied in the middle
At the end of the main line there is a weight tied on to keep the line to the bottom

18. Limb lines A line is tied to a limb
A hook is tied to the end of the line
Choice bait is put on hook
Perch, sunfish, or bluegill

19. Noodling Bare hands and feet are used to catch fish
Can dive or stay above water
Fish bite and full the fish out

20. Other techniques
Do you use a different technique?

21. Review Three main species of catfish? Main parts of a catfish?
Major baits used to catch catfish?
Do catfish have scales?
What are some different catfishing techniques?

22. Situation
It is around July 4th and you and your teammate have a boat to go fishing on. Your goal is to devise a plan to catch those crazy catfish! Pick out your targeted species of catfish, bait, and technique to be used… You can use noodling, but it will have to be used alongside another technique.

23. Catfish Baits Techniques Blue catfish shad worms
Channel catfish sunfish crawdads
Flathead catfish stink bait
Techniques
Pole fishing
Trotlines/Troutlines
Jugs/floaters
Limb lines
Noodling