How to Hold a Catfish
Catfish often have tiny pricks along their spine that become erect when they are frightened. Some of them are even poisonous. This often leads to many beginners becoming injured when they finally reel in that monster fish that they have been struggling with. Follow these tips to make sure that you know how to hold a catfish to prevent the most common injuries.
Remember That Catfish Don’t Sting
Most people are so nervous about getting stung by a catfish that they wind up getting injured. Aside from a few catfish that can produce an electric shock, catfish do not sting. They will not sting a fisherman with their whiskers, barbells or fins. This is a myth that needs to be ignored and forgotten.
The Whiskers Are Harmless
Another common misconception regarding catfish is that their whiskers sting people. Remember, catfish do not sting people. Their whiskers are as harmless as the whiskers of a cat. They help a fish find their way in the dark, just like a cat’s whiskers do. Remember this, and you are less likely to make mistakes when handling a catfish.
Beware the Pectoral and Dorsal Fins
The pectoral and dorsal fins, the ones on the top of the catfish body and located near the head. These fins will not sting a person, per se, but they can cause some damage. Both the pectoral and dorsal fins have a bony spine inside of them that is full of tiny points. These points are sharp to the touch, just like needles.
When a person has one of these punctures their skin, a venom that is held in the spine is injected into the person. This often causes redness, swelling and a significant amount of pain. It is this injury that most people mistake for being stung. However, it is important to note that if a person avoids letting these puncture their skin, they will not suffer from any injury.
Grab Them Around the Middle
Instead of hastily snatching a fish up, carefully place the forefinger at the back of the dorsal fin and the thumb around the stomach. By placing the hand in this position, a person guarantees that they will not get finned by a feisty catfish. This is the perfect grip for medium-sized catfish. It should not be used with smaller catfish, however.
Lip Grip
The lip grip is so popular that is has become well known among anglers. This grip is exactly what it sounds like. A fisherman grabs the catfish by the lip. There are plenty of catfish that do not have teeth, so there is no chance of being bitten. When the only place that a person is touching a catfish is on their lip, there is no chance of running into trouble with the dorsal and pectoral fins either.
Catfishing remains a popular hobby for both relaxations and for a job. Although there will always be a market for catfish, it is important that fishermen do not put themselves at risk while they are out on the lake.
Related Video:
