Catfish will eat many things, including worms and insects. Anglers are constantly trying to find the best food that can attract catfish in the wild, while the artificial lures work; catfish tend to enjoy the hunt. This is one of the reasons insects, and worms are among the list of living things catfish eat.
Will Catfish Eat Worms and Insects?
The catfish species are also known to be scavengers; the catfish roam around in the depths of the rivers and lakes looking for anything edible. Worms can be found on the river beds and around the river banks. There are also different types of aquatic and non-aquatic insects in and around the river.
What type of catfish feed on worms?
From experience and after close observations, it has been noticed that the channel catfish and the flatheads will chase and feed on worms they find in the river. Anglers have also confirmed that they experience bites when worms are used as bait for catfish in the river. Worms generally attract the catfish because they are sight feeders. When attached to a hook and set in the river, the worms tend to wriggle if they are still alive. Also, the underwater current can make it seem like the worm is alive because of its long body. The lifelike movement of a worm on the angler’s hook attracts catfish, and they swim closer to take bites.
Worms have also been known to work where many other lures fail to attract catfish. This is why it is a good idea to try different baits when trying to land more catfish.
Catfish eating insects
Insects can be regarded as a good supplement to cater to the large appetite of the catfish species. Catfish find aquatic insects in the water depths, and also on the surface. However, since the catfish are mainly bottom feeders, the insects that get eaten are those that swim to the river beds.
Considering the small size of insects, the younger catfish tend to have a preference for them. The insects form the main part of the growing catfish’s meals. Insects are attracted to areas where young catfish hide during the day to avoid the bigger aquatic predators. Adult catfish can barely be satisfied if they eat insects as a meal. The bigger catfish will rather feed on much larger prey such as smaller fish and other larger aquatic animals.
Some of the catfish species that are known to feast on insects include the channel catfish, the flathead catfish, and the bluecats.
The larvae of insects in the water are also eaten up by catfish. The larvae are a source of food for smaller catfish in the shallow parts of the river. In the shops where fishing supplies are sold, you can find artificial lures that have been made to look like insects. The manufacturers know catfish will be attracted to these lures, which is why they invest in these designs.
In conclusion, insects and worms are among the top choices of food for smaller catfish, but the adults tend to become more predatory and hunt other fish in their habitat.
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