Gafftopsail Catfish

Oceans & Range: Western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico — from Virginia south through Florida and throughout the Gulf of Mexico to Northern Mexico. An inshore and nearshore species common in bays, estuaries, surf zones, and coastal waters throughout the Gulf Coast. Very common from Louisiana through Texas — abundant in Gulf Coast bays year-round.

Preferred Water Temperature: 68°F–84°F. A warm-water inshore species that thrives in Gulf Coast bays and estuaries. Active year-round in the Gulf but most abundant in summer. Often found near bridge pilings, grass flats, and bay channels.

Size & Weight: Typically 1–3 lbs and 12–18 inches. Maximum approximately 8 lbs. World record: 8 lbs 14 oz. Named for the long, sail-like first dorsal fin. The venomous dorsal and pectoral spines cause painful wounds — handle with care. Males mouth-brood the eggs and young — a remarkable reproductive strategy.

Best Lures: Small soft plastic jigs produce strikes. Small swimbaits work near bottom. Often caught incidentally on almost any bottom presentation.

Best Baits: Fresh shrimp are the top bait. Cut mullet produce consistent results. Fresh squid works well. Sand fleas and fiddler crabs are effective. Almost any fresh bait fished near the bottom in Gulf Coast bays will produce catches.

Western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico — from Virginia south through Florida and throughout the Gulf of Mexico to Northern Mexico. An inshore and nearshore species common in bays, estuaries, surf zones, and coastal waters throughout the Gulf Coast. Very common from Louisiana through Texas — abundant in Gulf Coast bays year-round.

68°F–84°F. A warm-water inshore species that thrives in Gulf Coast bays and estuaries. Active year-round in the Gulf but most abundant in summer. Often found near bridge pilings, grass flats, and bay channels.

Best Lures: Small soft plastic jigs produce strikes. Small swimbaits work near bottom. Often caught incidentally on almost any bottom presentation. Best Baits: Fresh shrimp are the top bait. Cut mullet produce consistent results. Fresh squid works well. Sand fleas and fiddler crabs are effective. Almost any fresh bait fished near the bottom in Gulf Coast bays will produce catches.

Typically 1–3 lbs and 12–18 inches. Maximum approximately 8 lbs. World record: 8 lbs 14 oz. Named for the long, sail-like first dorsal fin. The venomous dorsal and pectoral spines cause painful wounds — handle with care. Males mouth-brood the eggs and young — a remarkable reproductive strategy.