The diverse group of fish that contain a wide variety of different species is known as Catfish and to catch these fish is called catfishing.  These Catfish species are found in fresh water and if we look into different continents of the world then these species are found in every continent except Antarctica.  But it does not mean that all the catfish live in fresh water, some species of Catfish are also found in the saltwater. Catfishing is very much popular these days. Most catfish are small in size, about ten to fifteen pounds, and are easily manageable. But some catfish can grow to be very large and old, giving anglers a tough fight.

Catfishing is very interesting and hard working jobs. For some people its really difficult to differentiate and identify a Catfish. A catfish can be recognized by its prominent barbells.  The barbells are elongated tactile organs that are located close to the mouth, and are very similar to the whiskers on a cat.  These barbells are meant to screen the environment just like a cat’s whiskers. These also intends to heighten the animal’s awareness of its surrounding. Unlike cat whiskers, catfish barbells are equipp

ed with taste buds that they use to catch fish in dark and cloudy waters when there is low visibility.

There is a leading ray (hollow) on the Catfish body on the dorsal and pectoral fins. Catfish use this ray to excrete a potent protein in the time of danger or when its being annoyed by someone. This leading ray is much stronger. This protein stings. Some catfish species have a protein that is strong enough to injure a human.  A person that has received a sting from one of these species may require hospital care. One catfish species, the Electric Catfish, are without this hollow leading ray and incapable of protein attacks.  Instead, Electric Catfish are capable of sending out a severe electric shock of up to 350 volts.

There is one very interesting way of catching catfish known as Noodling. If you want to try a different way to catch catfish and you are up for a challenge, leave your rod and reel behind and go noodling.  Once used by native Americans, noodling caught on as a fishing technique during the Depression, and later became a sport.  The first part of noodling involves spotting the areas where catfish ar

e bound to be present, such as submerged shallow logs, rocks, and other surface features.  Noodling is generally done in water shallow enough for easy wading.  A noodler will also have a team of spotters with them to help.

After a good catfish hiding spot is located, a stick is inserted into the hole to make sure that the inhabitant is a catfish, and not a s

nake or a turtle.  The noodler will then put a hand inside the hole – essentially, using their own hand as bait.  Being threatened, the catfish will attack and bite the hand.  When it bites, it holds on to the hand, allowing the noodler to pull it out.  Once the noodler gets the fish out of the water, the spotters immediately remove the fish from the noodler’s hand and throw it into an accompanying boat.  It is the spotters’ job to help the noodler in case the fish is too heavy or the fish starts to pull the noodler into the water.  Catfish can grow very large and are capable of drowning a human in this way — making the sport of noodling thrilling for some. Noodling is used for catfishing..