Texas Gulf Coast Fishing

Gafftopsail Catfish

GAFFTOPSAIL CATFISH - Bagre marinus Family Ariidae, SEA CATFISHES

Description: bluish above; silvery below; dorsal and pectoral fins with long, fleshy filaments on spines; barbel at cornor of mouth flattened, bandlike, and very elongate, sometimes reaching anal fin; only 2 barbels on chin.
Size: to 60 cm (2 ft.) and 2.5 kg (5 to 6 lbs.).
Where found: continental waters; enters brackish waters; usually less common than the hardhead catfish.
Remarks: commonly caught by anglers along bridges, piers, and catwalks; a good food fish, but not much used.