The coral catfish color changes as the fish grows. It works well to catch bluegill, sunfish, perch, bass, catfish, and trout. Range: Blue catfish are native to the Mississippi River basin. Katrina Reef: Sitting just a couple of miles from Biloxi, Katrina Reef is one of the most popular nearshore fishing spots in Mississippi. These spines are not only sharp, they also have a coating of toxic slime. Trophy-sized flathead catfish can reach around 4. For big flatheads, use live bream fished on the bottom as well. There really isn’t any more details about Fernandes’ catch, but he did use a fiberglass Sportex rod to land the redtail catfish. These massive creatures can weigh over 600 pounds and are critically endangered due to overfishing. 0 oz. 0. The pressure from the hose sprayer gets all of the blood out of the fish. 25 inches long with a girth of about 30 inches. There are two species of catfish commonly caught in coastal waters of Texas: the gafftop and sea catfish, more. Place the fillets in the sink and wash them thoroughly with fresh water using your hose sprayer on your sink. How to Cook Saltwater Catfish. The world record for blue catfish, recorded by the IGFA, weighs 143 pounds, with the longest one measuring over four feet in length. How big is the biggest freshwater fish ever caught? Nearly nine feet long (2. The Omaha resident has dialed in a few rivers and streams in Nebraska, where he’ll fish through the night in the hopes of hooking a giant. Back in the day, Fernandina Beach was famous for its Goliath Grouper fishery. The hardhead catfish is a small to medium-sized fish that typically measures between 12 and 20 inches in length and weighs between 1 and 3 pounds. You’re wrong if you think they have enormous, strong teeth because they are omnivores and can consume a wide variety of foods. 32 ozs. 99 USD Unit price. News On 6 Eddie, from Texas, caught the record-breaking flathead catfish that tipped the scales at more than 81 pounds. Record Blue Catfish. This is a recent record, set on July 12, 2020. . For breeding purposes, it is recommended to keep a small group of three males and two females. com. No other details about the catch are recorded by the IGFA, but subsequent stories say the fish was 15 inches long and had an incredible 18. 75 pounds. It may also be referred to as Jordan's Catfish or the West American Cat Shark. Minimum sizes at maturity are 6. Allemand: 5/96: Ladyfish : 2. Upper jaw is longer than, and overlaps the. C. These active puffers can be kept with other fish in a community. Channel catfish are the smaller of the common catfish found in the US with flatheads and blue catfish getting quite a bit larger. The blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) is the largest species of North American catfish, reaching a length of 165 cm (65 in) and a weight of 68 kg (150 lb). 3. ”. When removing the hook, look closely at the mouth. Saltwater Catfish. 300 Gulf Stream Way Dania Beach, FL 33004 954-927-2628 hq@igfa. Worms are classic catfish bait. , with up to 10 lbs. The giant devil catfish, or goonch. Catches must follow program rules and fishing regulations. If your fish does not qualify as a state record, the Big Catch Angler Recognition Program rewards anglers who catch a memorable-sized fish. One of the most popular saltwater catfish species is the hardhead catfish, which can be found along coastal waters from. Biancardi said he decided to go in shallow water in an attempt to land it. Cut bait is a great way to catch big fish and if you rig the cut bait right, you’ll increase your chances even more. Big catfish taste worse than smaller catfish because they have more toxins in their meat The meat of old catfish also tends to get old and mushy, providing a different and more gamey flavor when cooked. The lifespan of catfish can vary across various species. terrelli, which grew almost 9 m (29. The largest and most well known species was D. Like many marine fish, it is dark on top and light on bottom. The sportfishing world record for the largest channel catfish ever recorded is a specimen from South Carolina that weighed 58 pounds. Anglers are usually annoyed by the catfish, but if you’re just looking for some action, on some days, the catfish can save the day by always being willing to bite. Sometimes in the night while my uncle was fishing he accidently stepped on top of that fish and the top fin stuck all the way through his foot. The Hardhead. 4. In comparison, the easier-to-find, well. Heavy: this is the preferred weight rating for trolling rods designed for big freshwater fish such as salmon, muskie, and trophy sized catfish, or big saltwater fish like tarpon. 2 inches for females. Alessandro Biancardi's catch was more than 9 feet long — roughly the size. 46 inches with a chunky 39-inch girth. Rigging the bait correctly to maximize your strikes. The diverse ecosystem of the Coosa River features mussels, crawfish, fish, birds, and snails, offering a rich feeding environment for fish of all species. Sail cats you can eat the others I would not recommend. Speckled Trout. YELLOWFIN TUNA. These poisonous barbs or spikes are designed simply as a self-defense method. Bluefish. 6 inches for males and 7. Catfish can live in a number of conditions, with species that live in saltwater, freshwater and brackish water. The snake river in southwest idaho is home to both channel catfish and their larger cousins, flatheads ,. Catfish suck and gulp rather than bite when they eat. Switch to artificial lures. There are many species of catfish in freshwater locations all over the world. These enormous fish are the largest purely freshwater fish in the world (Sturgeon are larger, but they inhabit both fresh and saltwater). What Are Saltwater Catfish? Are there saltwater catfish? There are a few species of catfish that live in saltwater. Normally, anglers that choose to use a circle hook go for a 5/0 or 6/0 hook size. James Gill landed a big flathead fish, 110 cm and 21 pound - 10. A slip bobber on the hi-vis cable rig helps detect strikes, while also serving as a visual marker in muddy waters. Catfish can sometimes be predatory toward. Overall, this makes the 888 the best choice for freshwater applications, while the 808 is ideally suited for saltwater fishing. Flathead Catfish A big Saginaw River cat. The gulper cat Asterophysus batrachus Kner, 1858 is a member of the family Auchenipteridae (driftwood or auchenipterid catfishes), which occur in rivers from southern Central America to extreme southern South America (specifically Argentina). Best Premium Option: Penn Spinfisher VI 7500 (click to see) And, of course, there’s also a wide range of sizes when it comes to catfish. 0. Alessandro Biancardi says he caught the biggest catfish he'd ever seen in his 23 years as a professional fisherman. The largest lake trout in Connecticut weighed almost 30 pounds! The upper half of the body is a silvery bluish-green or brown color, while the underside is mostly white. Picture. Apr 1, 2012 #7 B. 46 lbs: Robert P. This next species is the largest catfish species in North America. These stand out because they are short and stiff. Striped bass is one of the largest fish available to the nearshore angler. Catfish (or catfishes; order Siluriformes / s ɪ ˈ lj ʊər ɪ f ɔːr m iː z / or Nematognathi) are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Some of the biggest catfish ever caught. A professional fisherman in Italy reeled in a. The channel catfish at the Kids' Farm at the Smithsonian's National Zoo are fed a floating pellet, though they also eat aquatic insects, algae and plants that occur naturally in the pond. 06 lbs: Elie Pellegrin: 10/96: Horse-eye Jackfish: 25. Redtail catfish are difficult to care for because of their enormous size and predatory nature. a big catfish can keep you down far longer than you can hold your breath. Best for Channel Catfish: Triple S Channel Cat Bait. The morning bite typically occurs during the early hours of the day, just after sunrise, and is a great time to catch catfish. m. The largest flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) was 123 pounds. The largest wels catfish by weight recognized by the IGFA was caught in the Po River as well, in 2010, and weighed in at nearly 298 pounds, records show. 3. “By spraying foam in the jugs, I solve that problem. August 31, 2020 By Game & Fish Staff. The Hardhead catfish can grow to 28-30″ in length and about 12 pounds. Blue catfish commonly attain weights of 20 to 40 pounds, and may reach weights well in excess of 100 pounds. Largest on record: 8 feet, 10 inches | 646 pounds. The record-setting fish weighed 69. Best Rod and Reel Combo: Abu Garcia Commando Casting Combo. Mollies are omnivorous and will require a diet of both plant and animal food. Blue Catfish commonly reach 36 inches and 20 pounds. The largest fish of the now-extinct class Placodermi was the giant predatory Dunkleosteus. Remember to always equip bait (Press R to open the bait window) based on your location and desired catch. Anything close to that would be considered a trophy catch. [26]Blue catfish are highly productive and create high numbers of offspring each reproductive cycle. species local name angler hometown date weight; alfonsino: same: eric b. You can expect to catch Speckled Trout, Redfish, Flounder, as well as Sharks. You can expect to catch Speckled Trout, Redfish, Flounder, as well as Sharks. Lord’s new state record blue catfish weighed 48-pounds, 3. So, we took a look at the state fishing records (based on. The candiru, ( Vandellia cirrhosa ), is a scaleless, parasitic catfish of the family Trichomycteridae found in the Amazon River region. Fernandes’ redtail catfish was 123 pounds 7 ounces (56 kilograms) and 4. This fish is a pimelodid or long-whiskered catfish. Here is just a short list of why I hate catching saltwater catfish (or more like why I hate it when they bite my line while I am fishing for an inshore fish like a snook,. The meat of old catfish also tends to get old and mushy, providing a different and more gamey flavor when cooked. Richard V. What is a saltwater catfish? Several species are considered saltwater catfish, but the two most common are the hardhead catfish and gafftop or sail catfish. 75That means ensuring tackle boxes are stocked with the best hooks for catfish. Next wash with soap, then soak for about 30 min in warm water. 75 lbs. The best way to treat a Saltwater Catfish sting is to first remove all of the spines from the affected area. The Biggest Saltwater Fish Ever Caught was a 2,664 pound Great White Shark The record was set in 1959 by Alfred Dean off the coast of Ceduna, Australia. marinus (has two chin barbels and spines with long filaments) Size: Up to 24 inches (12 pounds) The 5 Biggest Saltwater Trophy Fish Ever Caught in South Carolina. 2-ounces, measuring 40. com. Cody Stricker / CC BY 4. 5 inches (0. Appearance Body brownish to gray-green, with a white to yellowish belly Three prominent, sharp spines (one at beginning of dorsal fin and one on each pectoral fin) Spines do not. Channel, flathead and blue catfish are recognized as excellent eating fish and can be fished in lakes and rivers. An Italian angler may have broken the world record for the largest catfish ever caught after reeling in a massive nine-foot catfish. It’s the largest artificial reef in the area and home to a range of exciting fish species. I understand that both of those species grow much bigger than the lowly channel catfish, making for better Instagram fodder and sorer arms. Its filter feeding relative, Titanichthys, may have rivaled it in size. When most people think of trophy-sized catfish, they usually think of flatheads. It typically has an olive-colored body with yellowish-white belly. (Alessandro Biancardi / MADCAT) After a few attempts of gloving the fish's mouth, the animal was still too strong. In South Carolina, blue catfish are found in. Catfish View all. What separates this enormous achievement from other world records is about 900 pounds of fish. Spiderwire Stealth Braid Fishing Line. Most yellowfin tuna weigh 20 to 40 pounds. The auchenipterid cats all exhibit a scaleless (or “naked”) body and three pairs. Ideal for anglers targeting catfish under 100 pounds who want a reasonably priced durable spinning reel. According to the records, this is the largest fish of any species ever taken in New Jersey. Texoma on the Texas/Oklahoma border, one of the largest reservoirs in the country at 89,000 acres, is considered by many to be best of the best because that’s where Cody Mullennix caught Splash, a 121. Average mature channel catfish are at least 12 inches long and weigh 2 to 4 pounds. 62 ft (1. The whiskers are harmless. You can search all IGFA World Records for freshwater and saltwater fishes in All-TackleLine Class, All-Tackle Length for male, female and junior anglers. Gar. Saltwater Fish. 5 inches long and a 30-inch girth. World Record Line. Although it is native to Mississippi river drainage, it has been introduced to several reservoirs, rivers, and lakes in other U. 30 Emile Charvet IV Harvey Outfall January. Best For Most Anglers: Penn Battle II and III 5000 (click to see) “The Penn Battle is made to last and handles huge fighting fish. GAFFTOPSAIL CATFISH : 11. 75 inches. Conclusion. There are very few saltwater fish as famous as the Clownfish. Secure a 2- to 4-ounce bell sinker to one ring of a barrel swivel or the bottom ring of a three-way swivel with 6-pound-test line. The largely freshwater fish can tolerate brackish water and a wide variety of climates. Longer, heavier models have longer handles for better control when battling big fish, and each rod is backed by a five-year warranty and St. Saltwater catfish are known for having a larger amount of slime than their freshwater counterparts. A traditional circle hook is an excellent choice for use with channel catfish and blue catfish. Catfish Top Spots. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation. Image source: IGFA. The Maryland state record channel catfish was caught near Mattawoman Creek and weighed 29 pounds, 10 ounces. Normally, anglers that choose to use a circle hook go for a 5/0 or 6/0 hook size. From freshwater bass, crappie and catfish to saltwater tuna, marlin and sharks, you can find a variety of fish to challenge your skills. alone) and over 3,000 catfish species! One. What separates this enormous achievement from other world records is about 900 pounds of fish. The catch was confirmed and certified by the IGFA, which maintains records for both freshwater and. 09 meter) and can live for up to 5 years in the right conditions. Saltwater catfish usually fall into one of three main types of catfish. See moreWhat is a saltwater catfish? Several species are considered saltwater catfish, but the two most common are the hardhead catfish. Lake Okeechobee. But the monster of this group is the Mekong catfish of southeast Asia weighing in at over 600 pounds. Location: Fernandina Beach, FL. Joshua Jones Sr. The Rundown. However, little do they know; blues are the largest and most migratory North American catfish species. 5 pounds with larger fish caught in the. What separates this enormous achievement from other world records is about. Fish range from 1 pound to over 60 pounds. Perhaps their most recognized traits are their catlike whiskers, or barbells, and their lack of visible scales. Specific Gravity : 1. 5. When they go for the bait, they go all in, meaning that there is a good chance the entire line will be covered in the slime as well. Here are 10 of the biggest alligator gar ever caught. A more common weight and length of gafftopsails caught is 1–2 lb (450–910 g) and 12–16 in (30–41 cm). usgs. When it comes to identifying a hardhead, they are easy to distinguish from a gafftopsail catfish. Identification: Deeply forked tail. What is the biggest catfish in Georgia? Weighing in at 110 pounds, 6 ounces, the new record holder for the largest blue catfish ever caught in Georgia measures 58 inches long with a girth of 42 inches It’s the aquatic version of Georgia’s Hogzilla, the monster hog shot in 2005. Trash Fish Tuesday. Keith “Catfish” Sutton’s latest book, Hardcore Catfishing, was released in April last year. 1. What are large catfish called? Mekong Giant Catfish is the world’s largest species of catfish found in Mekong river basin in Southeast. By Sascha Pare published 15 June 2023 An angler caught the gigantic wels catfish in the murky waters of the River Po, in Italy, where the previous world record for. The Biggest Saltwater Fish Ever Caught was a 2,664 pound Great White Shark The record was set. Although they start very small when sold at the fish store, these catfish can grow up to a few feet long in the wild. The upper half of the sides and top range between gray and black depending on the habitat. 2 pounds. It is sold in pet stores as three or four-inch juveniles but can reach an adult length of a couple of feet. Best For Most Anglers: Penn Battle II and III 5000 (click to see) “The Penn Battle is made to last and handles huge fighting fish. Gafftops have extra-long dorsal fins that look. 3. They are a popular fish for anglers who want to eat their catch. Some species, like the tiger shovelnose catfish,. The author's biggest channel cat: 37 inches with a 23-inch girth. The size and organization of those bones are important facts. Key Takeaways. The following areas were selected by Florida's freshwater fisheries biologists as being the most likely to be highly productive during 2021 for channel, flathead, blue, and white catfish, and yellow and brown bullhead. Feeding should occur later in the day as the fish wake up for their. The underparts have a pinkish suffusion, which is most evident in males. Most rivers lakes and reservoirs and the United States have populations of at least one of these species of catfish. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world and can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds and grow to be 40 feet long. ** Because of Federal regulations, these species can no longer be legally retained and must be released alive, the record listed will remain. Dave Chermanski. Soak the catfish in the milk. Some catfish prefer stagnant water and others call rivers and streams with fast-moving currents their homes, it all depends. There is a big difference in a hardhead and a sail cat. Todd Baumeyer caught the 45-pound, 4-ounce Illinois state record channel catfish on February 7, 1987, at Baldwin Lake in Randolph and St. . If you are wondering how big. Migrates in fall from fresh to saltwater to spawn. This is what not only allows you to pull in these large amounts of line quickly but gives you good power to “winch” in big cats. It weighed 143 pounds and measured 57 inches long. Often mistaken for sharks by novice anglers, cobia (aka lemonfish, brown torpedoes) can put a hurting on you in a variety of ways. There are two Freshwater and two Saltwater bait. What is the biggest Wels catfish? The official all-tackle world record for a wels. If you are wondering how big saltwater catfish get, they stay fairly small. You’ll want to keep a close eye on the area where you were stung. 7 feet long. Usually the cut off for eating catfish for me is 8lbs. The method I use will not only simplify your fish cleaning process, but will. What’s the biggest catfish ever caught in the United States? Cody Mullenix of Howe Texas caught the fish on January 16th, 2004 which became known as “Splash” while fishing at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge on Lake Texoma. The most common saltwater catfish species are the hardhead catfish ( Ariopsis felis) and the gafftopsail catfish ( Bagre marinus) though they are not found in the aquarium hobby. The California Slab. The saltwater hardhead catfish is a member of the Ictaluridae family, including the blue catfish and channel catfish. It sports three spines, one on the dorsal fin and one each on the pectoral fins. In home aquariums, they are used to clean the bottom of the aquarium and control algae and detritus build-up. The meat of old catfish also tends to get old and mushy, providing a different and more gamey flavor when cooked. According to a news report, Fernandes has over 100 IGFA world fishing records. Why are they called hardheads? The largest recorded weight for a gafftopsail catfish is 4. Dino e Dario. Location: Whole coast surf, inshore bars, reefs, tide-rips. Generally, for food, saltwater catfish are not poisonous. The anal fin is the most prominent feature of a Blue Catfish and has a straight outer edge (sometimes referred to as a “barber’s razor”) with 30–36 fin rays. Only fishes classified as food fish ( WAC 220-300-370) and game fish ( WAC 220-300-380) may be submitted as a potential sport fish record. Most of the time a small setup like this will get the job done. Lots of big fish congregate in small areas, and if you can pinpoint them on a graph or by other means, chances of catching several trophy fish are superb. The younger catfish are usually better eating, as the bigger fish are. Tipping the scales at nearly 300 kilograms (661 pounds), the leviathan ray surpasses the previous record holder, a 293-kg (646-lb) Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) caught in Thailand in. The Biggest Saltwater Fish Ever Caught was a 2,664 pound Great White Shark The record was set in 1959 by Alfred Dean off the coast of. This adorable reef dweller gets lots of attention in movies, professional reef. By Jason Bittel. We rounded up the best catfish baits to help you land more fish this year. 5 to 12 centimeters in total length — that’s a little less than an inch to about 4. The largest blue catfish ever caught in California weighed 113 lbs. Use fresh bait. Department of. 8. And the use of larger baits helps you avoid catching runts. 20. Haney of Liberty. Unlike other fish species, the catfish can live in freshwater, saltwater, and brackish water. 7 Largest Catfish Ever Caught. What is the biggest whale catfish ever caught? The official all-tackle world record for a wels catfish is 297 pounds, 9 ounces caught March 11, 2010 by Attila Zsedely in Italy’s River Po. For your own safety, head to shore right away. The Biggest Saltwater Fish Ever Caught was a 2,664 pound Great White Shark The record was set in 1959 by Alfred Dean off the coast of Ceduna, Australia. 10. SPECIES : WEIGHT: ANGLER: DATE : Almaco Jack: 38. Scale the baitfish and cut them into chunks, experimenting with different sizes. The good news about catfish, though, is that when they pick at your bait they’ll attract more attention to it. Average weight is 2 to 4 lbs. King Mackerel – 54 lbs. Channel catfish are usually caught at 15 to 24 inches long, weighing somewhere between 10 to 15 pounds. In this article, we will rank 10 of these incredible creatures by size. In this video I will show you how to fillet a catfish the easiest way possible. occurring in some waters. Bagarius yarrelli, also known as the giant devil catfish, is found in large, swift rivers in India. Zebra danios are peaceful and hardy fish that are easy to care for. It spends most of its time at sea or lakes before migrating to rivers and streams in. Saltwater catfish aren’t that big so you can use a light or medium tackle with any reel. Stephen Klobucar Sep 17, 2019. Do not use. They spawn once a year from late May into June, mostly in lower-salinity streams and smaller tributaries. The largest. Emerald Catfish. Photo credit: Facebook / Sportex ItaliaThe Megatron is ideal saltwater and freshwater reel with a bionic and unique body, making it look like an Autobot. The state record flathead catfish weighed 84 pounds, 9. Delaware has a new state record blue catfish. What separates this enormous achievement from other world records is about 900 pounds of fish. The Freshwater Catfish has 4 pairs of barbels surrounding the mouth, and sharp serrated dorsal- and pectoral-fin spines which are venomous and can cause a very. The only true saltwater catfish species found in the aquarium hobby is the striped eel catfish also known as the coral catfish. Texas' Big 5 Saltwater Game Fish. During your New York state lakes vacation, I love staying in the lakeside town of Skaneateles while adventuring on the lake’s waters. Lake Greenwood is on Fire: Catfishing on Lake Greenwood with Captain Chris Simpson When I went fishing with Captain Chris Simpson for trophy blue catfish on Lake Monticello, we anchored down and waited. The reel can uphold the great weight of the greatest fish like catfish while maintaining its smoothness, rigidity, and strength. The fish, whose girth was 39 inches, was caught by bait. They have four barbels ("whiskers") that hang from the lower jaw, two from each corner of the mouth and two from the top of the head near the mouth. Overview The saltwater catfish is a species of sea catfish that can be found in the northwest Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. The Coral Catfish is seen in the wild scavenging in the sand, so the fish tank must have a sandy. Bottom feeder fish can be found in natural freshwater settings and in saltwater natural settings. Native fish such as shad, skipjack, or perch are key. The redtail catfish is a freshwater fish of the Pimelodidae family. Color Pattern: Red and white stripes with yellow. They officially are the biggest fishing feats in history. If you are wondering how big saltwater catfish get, they stay fairly small. What Is The Largest Catfish Ever Caught In The United States? May 9, 2023. In. It is one of four species in the genus Ariopsis. This flathead was 61 inches long with a 43-inch girth. The catfish can discharge a shock of up to 450 volts to defend itself and capture prey. The following list of state saltwater fishing records is according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. These sucker fish can be pretty aggressive when they get older and have the scary habit of latching onto other fish and sucking on their slime coating. An Italian angler may have broken the world record for the largest catfish ever caught after reeling in a massive nine-foot catfish. Salt and pepper to taste. 005 - 1. It is translucent and eellike, and it grows to a length of about 2. Saltwater, freshwater, & ice fishing strategies, seasonal advice, gear, & record catches for bass, catfish, trout, muskie, salmon, walleye, & more. March 23, 2023. Freshwater- rarely exceeds 20lb line test unless going for lunker catfish, sturgeon or landlocked salmon. com. 1/2” Mesh 1. Is a. Record Redtail Catfish (Pirarara) Weight: 123 lbs 7 oz (56 kg) Length: 4. Mekong Giant Catfish. What are large catfish called? Mekong Giant Catfish is the world’s largest species of catfish found in Mekong river basin in Southeast. Weighing in at 37 pounds, 14 ounces, the cat measured 46. 010, saltwater as adults (1. The biggest steelhead trout caught in Oregon was a 35 pound 8 ounce trout caught on the Columbia River (probably a summer-runner). Hardheads get their name from the bony plate between their eyes and dorsal fin. Corydoras Panda Regular price $12. Even without counting, young channel cats tend to have small black spots while young blues are solid silver/gray with no. Lifespan: 60 years. 5 feet long! ©M. 408 meters) long. David Burruss with the California state record crappie. 2- The Yellow River. ”. Summary: An olive greenish, greyish to brown eel-tailed catfish often with pale yellowish mottling on the rear of the body, and a whitish underside. Scientific name: Pangasianodon gigas. 3-pound white catfish absolutely shattered the previous Connecticut state record white cat, which was a mere 12. While breaking the record for the largest catfish ever caught is an amazing feat for anglers, the story is a bit sad. It was one of 20 big gafftops we caught on that hot summer day. 5 pounds and was caught by angler Joe Purvis in Lake Bluff, Lake County, on May 19, 1985. S. Worms. Usually the cut off for eating catfish for me is 8lbs. Often recognized for its excellent saltwater fishing,. 5 ft) in length [24] and 4 t (4. Extra Heavy : these are the heaviest poles, and are used either for catching the biggest fish, or for fishing with extra large lures or rigs, such as over sized. White Catfish. The rod length when extended in either 5-feet or 6-feet. The average adult size is ten inches and half a pound. What saltwater fish looks like a catfish? The hardhead catfish (Ariopsis felis) is a species of sea catfish from the northwest Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, and similar to the. Wels Catfish ( Silurus glanis) — Up to 15 Feet. What separates this enormous achievement from other world records is about 900 pounds of fish. Simply, these are amongst the very best catfish rods money can buy, (Image credit: Gen 3 Warrior Cat Bumping Rod) 7. The Shimano Socorro is a saltwater spinning reel that is good for inshore and reef fishing.