One of the most sought after and largest species of North America is the blue catfish. This large fish is actually closely related to its smaller cousin the channel catfish. The resemblance is so strong that in some smaller specimens the channel and the blue catfish are hard to tell apart. However, some of the tell tail signs of a blue is that its anal fin tends to be more straight where as the channel’s is more curved. Also, the blue has a solid white belly while the channel tends to have dark spots. As the blue ages it gets its more vibrant hue that gives the blue its name.
The size of the blue catfish is typically what attracts most sport fisherman to the side of this monstrous beast. With records at 110+ lbs this fish is a blast to hook and bring on board. Although the blue had its start in the Mississippi valley and surrounding tributaries it is finding its way into other foreign waters.
The life cycle of a blue usually starts in the late spring-early summer time of the year when water temperature is around 80 degrees or so. This time of the year is when you can usually find blues in shallower, calmer waters in the daytime since they are typically guarding the nest. As the blue cat grows from fry they feed on small insects and dying/dead fish. As they reach they’re size they tend to prefer the more sporting food and prefer live fish, insects, etc. Some bigger blues have been known to make a meal of other land creatures.
The most popular place to find a blue cat is right after tailwaters of a river or at a dam’s spillway. Blues prefer a current and typically can be found hanging under cover that is in a gravel or sandy substrate. The tailwaters and spillways usually attract blues due to the spillway dumping dead or stunned fish that are easy prey for the blue. Despite them having a taste for the live flesh blues can be caught on stinkbait, cutbaits, nightcrawlers, and other popular catfish bait. However, if your looking to hook that monster it is best to stick with live shad, panfish, or other native fish to the area your fishing.
With this fish you are going to need heavy tackle if you plan on keeping your gear and your senses. The blue catfish is typically the more aggressive of the catfish and are known for their fight they have. However, just like the catfish once you get a blue you’ll be hooked!
The size of the blue catfish is typically what attracts most sport fisherman to the side of this monstrous beast. With records at 110+ lbs this fish is a blast to hook and bring on board. Although the blue had its start in the Mississippi valley and surrounding tributaries it is finding its way into other foreign waters.
The life cycle of a blue usually starts in the late spring-early summer time of the year when water temperature is around 80 degrees or so. This time of the year is when you can usually find blues in shallower, calmer waters in the daytime since they are typically guarding the nest. As the blue cat grows from fry they feed on small insects and dying/dead fish. As they reach they’re size they tend to prefer the more sporting food and prefer live fish, insects, etc. Some bigger blues have been known to make a meal of other land creatures.
The most popular place to find a blue cat is right after tailwaters of a river or at a dam’s spillway. Blues prefer a current and typically can be found hanging under cover that is in a gravel or sandy substrate. The tailwaters and spillways usually attract blues due to the spillway dumping dead or stunned fish that are easy prey for the blue. Despite them having a taste for the live flesh blues can be caught on stinkbait, cutbaits, nightcrawlers, and other popular catfish bait. However, if your looking to hook that monster it is best to stick with live shad, panfish, or other native fish to the area your fishing.
With this fish you are going to need heavy tackle if you plan on keeping your gear and your senses. The blue catfish is typically the more aggressive of the catfish and are known for their fight they have. However, just like the catfish once you get a blue you’ll be hooked!
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