catfish myth

[dryfly2010]

just wondering
do the wiskers on a catfish really sting?
ive heard from some that they do some that they dont
ive always stayed away from them cause i wasn't sure

dryfly

[ducksterman]

Never heard that and I doubt they do....something probably said because of the spine in the pectoral fins.

[Wild One]

I've heard this before, but like you, never tried it to find out. I've also heard of people having fingers and hands bitten off by the powerful jaws of catfish. Heard of folks down south "Cat-fistin" or "Stink-fitin" and lost limbs. Probably none true, but who am I to say....and I definitely won't stick my hand in there to find out.

[okflyfisher]

Catfish wiskers do not sting. Catfish do have very stiff petoral fisn that can poke you. You can steady a tired catfish to remove a barbless fly by sliding your thumb and index finger under its outstretched petoral fins. Ten perecent or so of the catfish will spin when you hook them drumming their petoral fins on your leader

[hoboflyfisher]

Catfish whiskers do not sting. The fins behind the gills will get you though if you don't handle the catfish correctly. From experience the fins if your stabbed do hurt badly, like for days,,,,,,

[Betty Hiner]

And you guys wonder why I only fish for trouts!?!

[rookie]

I have lipped catfish with my thumb and forefinger just like a bass. The thumb is one finger I still have. I know, the thumb isn't a finger.

[Wild One]

I have lipped catfish with my thumb and forefinger just like a bass. The thumb is one finger I still have. I know, the thumb isn't a finger.

I have too, but not with anything really big. I still have my thumb/finger too, but since I heard that...no way I like my thumb/finger!

[DShock]

I've heard this before, but like you, never tried it to find out. I've also heard of people having fingers and hands bitten off by the powerful jaws of catfish. Heard of folks down south "Cat-fistin" or "Stink-fitin" and lost limbs. Probably none true, but who am I to say....and I definitely won't stick my hand in there to find out.

Wild One,
What do you think of those guys that dive under water and pull catfish out of logs with their bare hands?

[ducksterman]

One of the first things I learned fishing as a wee one...how to hold bullheads and catfish.