Archive for the ‘Mississippi River Fishing’ Category
The great thing about Mississippi crappie fishing is that excellent catch can be found on many lakes year round. Even better, many of these lakes clear out because seasonal anglers prefer to stay at home in front of the fireplace, telling fish stories about their great spring and summer seasons. Some of the best fishing can actually be had in the winter months, and there are several lakes to choose from as your preferred location.
Barnett Reservoir is a 33,000-acre lake, but in the winter, you’ll find most of the fishing is done in about 50 acres of water. Mississippi crappie fishing enthusiasts will crowd into the upper lake area referred to as Welfare Hole, fishing for the strong crappie population. Due to the bottleneck created at the nearby highway bridge, crappie are attracted to the area and held here, seeking shelter from the current. Though just about anyone could catch a fish here, Mississippi crappie fishing during the winter is most efficient with an electronic depth finder to locate large schools, as well as a lot of patience and your trusty Shimano reels or Daiwa Reels. I prefer to the Shimano Stella FD. Barnett’s spillway also offers great fishing opportunities after a large release of water at the dam. Pelahatchie Creek on the east side of the dam also provides great Mississippi crappie fishing, with anglers targeting the banks where crappie can find deep cover.
Eagle Lake is another excellent location to find crappie. It’s a landlocked oxbow off the Mississippi River close to Vicksburg, famous for producing 10- and 12-inch fish in two years’ time, which is faster than any other lake in the state, according to studies by biologists. Eagle Lake is optimal for pre-spawn winter Mississippi crappie fishing because large females move out of the river channel for shelter. During these times, you can troll for an hour or two and catch your limit. For the best success, troll the deeper waters away from the owner piers, where they regularly deplete the supply in the brush along the banks. According to some sources, the crappie here prefer to remain about 14-15 feet deep in 20-foot deep waters.
Bay Springs Pool, just 30 minutes south of the Tennessee border, is a 5,500-acre lake that gets extremely cold during the winter months. However, during this time, Mississippi crappie fishing yields a great catch, with fat fish resting deep in the lake and ready to bite live bait such as small minnows. The lake contains clear waters, and in 35-50-foot deep areas, you’ll probably find the best, largest winter slabs at depths of 35-40 feet. Using more poles to cover a variety of depths can turn out a limit for the day, even in the dead cold of winter. As a general rule, you’ll probably do better if you have an electronic depth finder with high resolution to assist you in locating large schools of crappie.
by Daniel Eggertsen
“Above all other birds it is the soaring eagle, with its size
and weight, that gives the most abiding impression of power and
purpose in the air,” declared Edwin Way Teale in Atlantic
Monthly in 1957. Unique to North America and revered for its
majestic appearance, legendary strength and longevity, the bald
eagle became the national emblem of the United States in 1782
and continues to be an easily recognized symbol of patriotism.
Once endangered in all of the lower 48 states, bald eagles came
dangerously close to extinction. However, due to increased
awareness, protective legislation and widespread conservation
efforts over the past fifty years, the bald eagle population is
making a remarkable comeback, and eagle watching is becoming a
popular pastime for nature lovers across the country, especially
in Arkansas as well as parts of Missouri.
Kelly Farrell, Park Interpreter for DeGray Lake Resort State
Park in Bismarck, Arkansas, has seen hundreds of bald eagles
during her numerous jaunts as an eagle-watching tour guide. “It
never gets old,” she remarked. “They are amazing and captivating
each and every time I get a glimpse.”
Park Interpreter Sarah Keating of Lake Dardanelle State Park
concurred. “The feeling of seeing this majestic bird soaring
across the lake for the first time is still awe-inspiring even
to me. Therefore, any time you can help a visitor experience a
‘first’ like this is truly gratifying.”
Bald eagles follow seasonal food supplies, so they travel south
along the Mississippi Flyway from around Canada, Minnesota,
Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois when the northern waters begin
to freeze. Migratory patterns vary according to John Morrow,
Park Interpreter at Petit Jean State Park. “Some eagles are here
year-round, and some are coming in from Canada and the far
northern states. Some don’t migrate at all—like in Alaska, where
they are almost as common as dirt.”
Eagles begin to arrive in Arkansas as early as mid-October and
stay all winter long, departing around February and as late as
mid-March. Over 1,700 eagles may winter in The Natural State,
depending on weather conditions. Wintering eagles favor the
Ouachitas and Ozarks for the excellent habitat replete with open
waters, food and shelter. “The locations they choose are usually
remote with little disturbance, and good winter roosting areas
are available,” commented Park Naturalist Merle Rogers of
Roaring River State Park in Cassville, Missouri.
Mainly fish eaters, bald eagles are attracted to the area’s
abundant lakes, undeveloped shorelines, countless streams and
wild rivers. “When the lake’s surface water temperature falls to
41-42º F, there is a mass die-off of shad, a small fish that is
a favorite among eagles,” revealed guide Jay Viator of Belle of
the Ozarks in Eureka Springs. “Young, immature bald eagles, not
yet skilled at catching fish, frequent chicken barns in the area
to eat dead chickens thrown out by farmers,” he continued.
In addition to fish and carrion, eagles feed on turtles,
waterfowl and small mammals, which they hunt themselves or
pirate from smaller raptors. “They are lazy birds!” exclaimed
Park Interpreter Lori Anderson of Petit Jean State Park. “They
want to find food without much work. Being the largest bird
around, the eagle will steal food that other birds catch.”
While bald eagles are unscrupulous when it comes to finding
meals, they remain faithful mates. At age 4 or 5, an eagle
reaches sexual maturity and shifts its focus to both finding a
mate and raising offspring. The typical courtship ritual
includes aerial somersaults during which the pair whirls through
the air with locked talons. Eagles can live up to 30 years in
the wild, and they mate for life.
Producer Gary Cooley of Ozark Mountains Website, Inc., named His
Place Resort on the White River just outside of Mountain Home as
the premier place for watching an eagle pair that returns each
year to nest.
“These eagles are fascinating to watch. The male brings sticks
and other nesting materials to the female, who promptly throws
them away. Then the bickering starts between the two birds,” he
shared.
The peak months for eagle watching are December through
February, and January is Eagle Awareness Month in Arkansas. When
embarking on an eagle-watching expedition, keep the following in
mind:
Get out early. Eagles soar in thermal updrafts, so the best time
to see one in the air is when the temperature is rising during
mid- to late morning.
Stay behind a blind. A tree or car acts as an effective blind.
Eagles sometimes are shy creatures. People walking around or
towards a perched eagle will chase it off its roost, and flying
away drains energy needed by the eagle to survive in winter
temperatures.
Look near the waterways. For the most part, eagles stay 3/4 of
the way up trees while fishing from the banks. Their white heads
and tail feathers are easy to see against the trees along the
shore. Many resorts or marinas on lakes have pontoon boats for
rent.
Look into a guided tour. There are many half- or full-day tours
with expert guides available. For inexperienced boat operators,
running the river in low water can be very challenging.
Report any nest sightings. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
monitors all eagle nests in the state as part of nationwide
conservation efforts. Anyone who observes a bald eagle nest is
asked to report it to the AGFC’s Wildlife Management Division at
877.873.4651.
Be mindful of the law. Possession of an eagle feather or other
body part is a felony with a fine of up to $10,000 and/or
imprisonment. Exceptions apply only to certain Native American
tribes with appropriate legal documents.
Use your resources. Go to for a complete list of eagle-watching
tours and eagle-related events, including DeGray’s 25th Annual
Eagles Et Cetera Festival to be held on January 23-25, 2004.
For information on more eagle-watching opportunities, contact
your local park rangers or naturalists
Jeannette Balleza
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/experience-the-thrill-of-eagle-watching-1278.html
Crappie are on the smaller end of the fishing spectrum, typically anywhere from a half pound to a pound. However, record crappie have been recorded up to 6 times that size.
If you go by the IGFA listing – World Record weights for Crappie caught on Rod & Reel are: White 5 lbs. 3 ounces and Black was 5 lbs. 1 ounces.
While records are not available for each area, here is a list of a few areas where these big ones have been caught and recorded.
Alabama – Alabama’s winner is 4 lbs. 9 ounces, was caught by Jeremy S. White on May 8th, 2000.
Arizona – Arizona’s is 3 lbs 5.28 oz, and measured 16.75 inches long. This record fish was caught by Robert Schnell on February 22nd, 1982.
Arkansas – Arkansas’s record is 4 lbs. 7 ounces caught by Shelby D. Cooper on april 12th, 1993.
Colorado – Colorado’s record for White Crappie 4 lbs. 3.75 ounces and was 17 inches long. This record Crappie was caught by Daryel Thompson in 1975.
Georgia – Georgia’s record is 5 lbs. 0 ounces caught on a private pond by Theresa Kemp in 1984.
Idaho – Idaho’s state record for white’s is 3 lbs. 1 ounces caught in Crane Creek Reservoir by Leslie Greenwood.
Illinois – Illinois’ record is 4 lbs. 7 ounces caught on a private pond by Kevin Dennis in 1973.
Kansas – Kansas’ state record is currently 4 pounds 4 ounces and 12 inches long for White Crappie, and 4 lbs. 10 ounces, and 22 inches for Black Crappie.
Michigan – Michigan’s state record is 3 lbs. 6.24 ounces and measured 19.5 inches. This record fish was caught in Stony Creek Metro Park by Terrance Poirier in 2000.
Minnesota – The state record Black Crappie was caught in the Vermillion River in 1940. The Black Crappie weight 5 pounds even and was 21 inches long. The White Crappie record , caught on July, 28th, 2002, was smaller at 3 lbs., 15 ounces, caught on Lake Constance.
Mississippi – Mississippi’s record Black Crappie was caught at Arkabutla on March 19th, 1991. it weighed 4 pounds 4 ounces.
Nebraska – Nebraska’s state record for White Crappie is 4 pounds 1 ounces caught by Elsie M. Jensen May 18th, 1980.
Nevada – Nevada’s state record for White Crappie is 2 pounds 13 ounces caught on Weber Reservoir by Paul C. Grant in 2000.
Crappie still remain as one of the most popular species of fish to fish for in the U.S. and the records are updated every year.
It is important to check for not only the crappie records in your state, but also in your local area. You never know when you’ll catch a big one that breaks something.
Daniel Eggertsen
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/state-record-crappie-catches-137865.html
From the Atlantic Seaboard to the Appalachian Mountains, North Carolina has all the bases covered for travel, whether it’s business or pleasure. Spanning from outdoor recreation to exquisite dining and from modern industry to historical legends, North Carolina is the place to travel any time of year. Each of the four distinct seasons has something to offer.
North Carolina was one of the 13 original colonies, although its history starts much earlier as the first English settlement in the new world. The mysterious “Lost Colony” on Roanoke Island was established by the Crown in 1585, composed mostly of men. By 1587, when an expedition had returned, the entire settlement was gone. There are many theories about whether they were assimilated into one of the many local tribes or if they had perished as the hands of natives or due to starvation; luckily, you can visit the archaeological site today and decide for yourself what might have been their fate. Roanoke Island also happens to be the birthplace of the first English child born in the New World, Virginia Dare.
Travel North Carolina from Border to Border
North Carolina is divided into four distinct regions, gaining in elevation as they move west. Consequently, travelers to the state can enjoy a wonderful combination of Southern warmth and Northeastern cool all in one journey. The Blue Ridge Mountains in the Shining Rock Wilderness Area is a majestic destination for hikers and backpackers within the Appalachian Mountains that wind their way through Western North Carolina. There are also a number of ski resorts and winter getaways in this elevated part of the state, as well as the highest peak east of the Mississippi River: Mount Mitchell.
Central North Carolina is a flat region known as Piedmont where all of North Carolina’s major cities are located. The Research Triangle, made up of Raleigh (the capital), Durham, and Chapel Hill, is where fast paced University life meets cosmopolitan charm and booming industry. Along with Charlotte, this region is North Carolina’s cultural center, hosting numerous arts and entertainment events and world class museums. Another key site is the state capitol building in Raleigh, built in 1840, which has survived the test of war and is still standing today.
Panning further east, you will enter the Coastal Plain region of North Carolina. Make sure that Kitty Hawk, on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, is a stop on your travels. The Wright Brothers made this the birthplace of modern aviation. Travel North Carolina’s Outer Banks, just off the mainland, for wonderful seaside activities including fishing, boating and simple summer sun relaxation.
From Sea to Snow, Travel North Carolina Head to Toe
Any time of year is perfect for planning travel to North Carolina. Airfare to North Carolina is also convenient for all kinds of travel with the choice of several major city destinations in different locales. The dynamic nature of North Carolina’s borders is sure to satiate the most eclectic of travel desires.
Elyse Morgan
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/leaving-nothing-to-be-desired-in-north-carolina-north-carolina-travel-information-96496.html
Northern Pike one of the most exciting and strongest fighting fish for brackish and fresh water. These exciting adversaries are a carnivorous fish. They are most abundant in the Northern Hemisphere. These area’s include: Canada, Alaska, The Ohio Valley, upper Mississippi River and its tributaries, the Great Lakes and the states surrounding them (Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska).
An interesting fact on Northern Pike is the latin translation of their name which is “waterwolf”. These fish are cunning, fast and predators to other fish.
General description of a Northern Pike: they are a light green, almost olive color, with some yellow or white along the belly area. There fins have dark spots ranging from quite a few on some fish while others may have few. Their gills have little to no scales on the bottom half and they have a large pore which is for sensory on their head. Most Northern Pike’s grow to a rather large size with length’s around 57-59 inches and weighing approximately 52-57 pounds are not just another fisherman’s tale.
Germany is the proud owner of the heaviest pike recorded, she ( most large pike’s are female) was caught in 1983 was 5ft long and weighted an impressive 61 pounds. Northern Pike in the United States are not are large as their foreign counterparts. One of the largest known caught was in September 1940 in Great Sacandaga Lake in New York state weighing 46 pounds.
Habitat’s for Northern Pike are usually slow moving streams, lakes and reservoirs withing the shallow area’s with alot of vegetation. They are also known to be in cold, clear and rocky water. Northern Pike’s are predators therefore they are capable of holding perfectly still for very long periods of time while waiting for prey.
They have great acceleration speed and tend to catch prey by their sides and immobilising or killing with their sharp teeth to which they then turn the prey lenthwise and swallow. It is know to eat other fish however occasionally they like to vary their diet by eating water voles, insects and even ducklings.
Fishing for Northern Pike can be rewarding yet requires alot of patience and knowledge. Their are three periods of time to fish during what is known as open water season. The first period is right after the ice has melted and near spawning areas. These area’s are especially great in lakes and reservoirs near vegetation in shallow water.
They will put up a spectacular fight so there is not room for error when trying to best a champion like the Northern Pike. The second period which is the best for catching larger pike is during June or early July when the water is starting to warm and the pike start to move to deeper and cooler water. The third period is when the water starts to turn cold again, during fall. This is when they start to move back to shallow water, however this is also one of the most difficult times to try to catch pike as they are much more sluggish and tend to not eat as often as before.
Water temperature signals the start of any and all movement. As the surface temperature reaches 67-70 degree’s they start to go deep into the cooler water and as the surface temperature cools they start to return to the more shallow water.
In summary Northern Pike’s are exceptional fish to fish for, look at or simply to just admire. They are very capable predators and they put up a great battle. So if you are up to a challenge and want to fish for something unique this the fish for you.
Martin Brinkmann
Despite the fact that most eels are predators, many people consider them like the right choice for a home aquarium. However, eels are also a perfect catch for anglers, consisting of 4 suborders of the Anguilliformes with 19 families, 110 genres and near 400 different species.
Anguillidae is the suborder of freshwater eels, but there are also Heterenchelyidae, Chlopsidae (false morays), Myrocongridae, Moringuidae (worm eels), and Muraenidae (moray eels). Other classification based on the FishBase System, dividing eels into 15 families. In fact, there are several classification databases including the ITIS, and Systema Naturae 2000, each one giving different categories and suborders.
Juvenile American eels (Anguilla rostrata) are one of the varieties of freshwater acclimated eels in the United States. Originally found in Lesueur, Minnesota back in 1817. This snake-like fish used to appear more frequently in the state than they do today, when they are more commonly seen along the lower Mississippi River
Following the Mississippi’s tributaries, including the Minnesota, Saint Lawrence Seaway, and Saint Croix rivers, anglers can find them profusely in the area, and sometimes in Lake Superior. Freshwater Females Eels swim all the way up the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico to reach Minnesota for reproduction.
When eels are not migrating, it is easy to find them in medium to large size lakes and streams with quiet waters and muddy bottoms. Eels are more active at night, so they need the mud or underwater objects to be hidden during the day. Freshwater American eels live longer, and there is reference of captive eels living as long as 88 years.
Female eels of the Juvenile American specie grow larger than the males, nearly 3 feet (90 cm), although some records include eels as big as 5 feet (150 cm). Male eels do not grow longer than 1.5 feet (50 cm). In the wild, the is no evidence of how long freshwater eels live, but females spend from 10 to 20 years in the American rivers to mature and then they return to the oceans or die after breeding once.
Freshwater American eels are predators that feed at night, usually all types of meat they can find including insects, frogs, crayfish, snails, fish, and earthworms, although other predators seek eels as their meal such as cormorants, walleye, herons and mergansers, and sometimes land animals such otters and minks.
In the eastern United States, the American eels are harvested commercially, with a modest market of consumers. There is no a special concern status in Minnesota to preserve them. American eels probably have to fear to natural enemies: anglers in freshwater and sharks when they return to the ocean.
There is a website that has great information on most species of freshwater fish. It has details that pertain to each species of fish such as habitat, spawning, eating habits, the best lures and baits and more, the website is called: Fishing Stringer, and can be found at this url:
http://www.fishingstringer.com
By Robert W. Benjamin
Copyright © 2007
You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.
Robert W. Benjamin
http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/eel-fishing-learn-the-facts-that-can-help-you-catch-the-trophies-92084.html
Catfish fishing records in the United States are recognized and recorded by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), which keeps track of records for all manner of saltwater and freshwater fish. While breaking a record for the largest fish caught is always exciting, the variations in typical size between species makes some catfish fishing records seem much more impressive than others.
For example, channel cats are not the largest species of catfish available, though they may very well be the most plentiful since they are the least picky about habitat preference. They can be found throughout the entire country in just about any type of body of water at almost any temperature and time of year. For a fish that rarely reaches a weight greater than five or six pounds, it’s no wonder that the world record set in 1964 of 58 pounds has yet to be broken.
Where was this amazing specimen caught? The Santee-Cooper Reservoir in South Carolina was home to this monster of a channel cat, and while anglers visiting this popular fishing hole aren’t likely to rival that record any time soon, the reservoir does continue to produce large sized channel cats in excellent numbers.
Flathead catfish are a much larger breed, so catfish fishing records for these giants sound much more significant. Note that these fish are predators rather than absolute opportunists when it comes to feeding, and anglers have to use large, fresh bait to attract them.
Flatheads are easily 30 pounds on a regular basis and will put up a fight, so fishermen aiming for these trophies are especially bold. This makes the 91.25-pound record flathead caught in 1982 in Lake Lewisville, Texas an even more impressive catch. However, the record has since been broken by an unbelievable catch at Elk City Reservoir in Kansas.
Believe it or not, in 1998, a 123-pound flathead was pulled from the reservoir, blowing the old record out of the water (no pun intended).
The most recent catfish fishing record breaker, however, was a blue catfish. Probably the largest species in the United States and all of North America, these babies are regularly found at weights of over 90 pounds.
Everyone thought that the record set in 2004 at Lake Texoma, Texas with the 121-pound blue catfish catch would remain unbroken for at least several years. This was proved wrong, however, with the grand old Mississippi River near Alton, Illinois yielding a 124-pound blue cat in May of 2005.
To give you an idea of the true size of this beast, it was just short of five feet in length (58 inches) and 44 inches around (nearly four feet).
Daniel Eggertsen
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/can-you-top-these-catfish-fishing-records-111264.html
Depending upon the location in which you intend to fish, tactics for finding catfish change drastically. This is due partly to the type of catfish you’ll find in various fishing holes, as well as the size of fish you can expect to hook.
For example, you can find huge catfish in some rivers, especially in the Mississippi, and in area lakes, you’ll find an incredible variety of both species and sizes. You can even find some species of catfish in saltwater locations. Because of the size of the body of water, there are especially important guidelines for an avid angler to follow when pond catfish fishing.
In a pond, catfish fishing can still provide extremely large fish; however, the idea of a “large” catch is relative.
In ponds, specimens of ten pounds and greater are considered monstrous in most circumstances, mostly because ponds are not large enough to spawn large communities of catfish that grow old and live to gain incredible size. However, with the equipment that is generally used in these pursuits, catching a catfish of such size can become a struggle quickly.
Pond catfish fishing requires a lot of preparation and patience. First, you need to know where within the pond you’ll be able to locate the catfish. Under most circumstances, you’ll find your target in deep water near the bottom of the pond.
However, this can vary based on the season, and you may want to watch for them near the surface on a warm late spring or early summer day. Still, the best fishing can be accomplished in the deep part of the lake, with bait suspended within inches of the bottom. Use a tight line and let your weight settle to the bottom unless you know the exact depth, in which case you can set the bobber to let your bait hang at about six inches above the bottom.
Next, know what type of bait is the best to use for pond catfish fishing. Catfish are attracted to bait more by smell than by sight, so a strong smelling, stinky bait works best in any application.
However, remember that in a pond, you don’t have nearly the current you would in a river or lake to drive the odor to the fish, so you’ll want to us something that will permeate the water with its stink. You might try chicken livers or multiple night crawlers (one probably won’t smell strongly enough), or even rotten foods, like old hot dogs. With a little patience, you will be rewarded.
Daniel Eggertsen
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/special-secrets-about-pond-catfish-fishing-137866.html
Depending upon the time of year that you decide to visit the lake, catfish fishing results can vary greatly, and you may want to target specific areas of the lake based on the temperature, season, and type of catfish you’re targeting. All these factors are involved in determining your level of success when spending time at the lake catfish fishing.
First of all, the season can have a great affect on your ability to catch catfish. At the lake, catfish fishing will usually be best in the late spring and early summer. During these months, the best catch can be found away from the shores, in the deeper areas of the lakes. Catfish tend to be more active during these months, having recently spawned, and will be out and about, searching for food. By comparison, you may often find that catfishing in early and mid spring is most productive closer to the shoreline or in more shallow areas, where catfish choose to spawn. Be sure to target holes and heavy cover during these months, as these are choice locations for a nest of eggs being laid by a female or watched by a male. If you choose to go lake catfish fishing in late fall or winter, be sure to stick to the warmest, deepest waters and target deep holes. In fact, a depth finder could definitely come in handy in such a situation to find your catch.
The breed of catfish you seek can definitely have an affect on your fishing techniques and habits as well. While there are actually several kinds of catfish to choose from, the most common (and most popular) to target in North America are the channel cat, the blue catfish, and flatheads.
By far the most common (and smallest) of the three is the channel catfish, which can be found in most parts of the United States. These catfish are not at all picky about where they live and simply choose to stay in warm waters with lots of material to scavenge for food. Typically, channel cats will often be found in drainages and other creeks and spillways off the lake or near the dam, where there is lots of “free” food to be found. Because these catfish are about the right size to make a meal for blues and flatheads, you are most likely to find large numbers of them in smaller lakes where the other catfish are not as common.
When searching for flatheads, you’ll want to target murky areas with lots of cover, where the lake bottom is sandy or muddy. Try night fishing off the bank with a trotline, since flatheads come up to the shallows to feed “after hours”.
Fishing for blues in lakes – you should target clearer waters with faster currents, and you should definitely look toward larger lakes for these giants. Blues and flatheads are most concentrated in the Midwest, in lakes that are centered around the Mississippi River, one of their native homes.
Daniel Eggertsen
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/finding-the-best-lake-catfish-fishing-114188.html
When referencing saltwater catfish fishing, you are looking at an entirely different sport from freshwater fishing. You’ll be fishing for different species of catfish in brackish (salty or briny) waters, and you can expect a completely different experience.
While saltwater catfish fishing is preferred by some and the taste of the catch actually regarded as better by many advocates of the sport, most people do prefer the taste of a freshwater catfish. Of the saltwater variety, the Gaff Topsail is considered to be one of the most flavorful, but again, saltwater catfish are not typically served in restaurants, and many people don’t like the taste.
One similarity between freshwater and saltwater catfish fishing is that catfish are bottom feeders, and you’ll have just as much success in saltwater fishing on the bottom of the body of water as you would in a lake or river.
They are typically either scavengers looking for an easy meal or feed on smaller fish that also dwell along the bottoms. Also, most catfish are not picky about bait. They will bite almost anything you put in front of them and are really considered lazy fish because few of them, with the exception of flatheads (which are freshwater fish) are predators and want their meals handed to them.
Saltwater catfish fishing is good in several coastal areas, especially in the Gulf of Mexico along the borders of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. You can also find saltwater species around the entire coastline of Florida, up the east coast through Georgia, and even into the Carolinas and Virginia.
Interestingly enough, many people have perpetrated the myth that, because catfish don’t have scales, they are allergic to salt. However, consider the fact that moray eels live in briny waters and yet lack scales, and you’ll see that this is completely unfounded.
What fear is not a myth is that saltwater catfish fishing can actually lead to injury if fishermen aren’t careful. These saltwater dwellers have sharp fins unlike the freshwater variety that can cause more than a little pain if handled incorrectly. A small prick with one of these fins can cause severe discomfort, and a rough stick in the hand has been known to cause major swelling and pain, even leading to nausea in some and hospital visits in extreme cases.
Interestingly enough, though two major species of catfish are primarily marine fish, there are several additional species that have adapted to saltwater. While they may not prefer it and are more frequently found in freshwater, these varieties of catfish are tolerant of almost any habitat, including saltwater.
Daniel Eggertsen
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/biggest-things-to-remember-when-saltwater-catfish-fishing-137870.html