backbay Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Hi Folks: Recently I received a message from the gang after I posted a photo in Skipper's thread regarding the season we've all had. It was concerning a catfish I had caught recently, (a first for me in many decades), and the type of cat that it was. The fish in question was a cat, which I thought was a bullhead, except they don't grow that big. It had a square tail, was very dark in colour. Here are a couple of pics, and I wish I had better ones, but this is it. Any assistance would be appreciated! Thanks, Backbay http:// Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Looks like a dark coloured channel cat to me. Where was it caught? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Looks like a channel cat. Where was it caught? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Looks like a dark coloured channel cat to me. Where was it caught? Beat me to it. And yes Bullheads are not that big and also have a less forked, almost rounded tail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProFishermanJones Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backbay Posted November 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) Thanks, Guys. It was caught in the Moon Riverr basin on Georgian Bay, in the Massasauga Park. The thing that confuses me is that it didn't have a channel cat's forked tail. The tail was big and flat across the back, not forked like a Channel's. Edited November 9, 2012 by backbay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backbay Posted November 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 hmmmm, maybe a flathead.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 I think that the tail is folded over on its self in the top photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backbay Posted November 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 I think that the tail is folded over on its self in the top photo. That's right, KF, it was folded over. I looked at the tail as soon as I landed it, 'cause that's one of the ways you can narrow down the variety. Sinclair, I realize! This thing was a snick over 11 lbs, which is, confusing, if nothing else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backbay Posted November 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Hmmm flathead mouth points up...hard to tell from the OP photo if mouth points up or down. Definitely down. Good observation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camillj Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) Some big Channel Cats up that way ... I have seen them over 30lb in that area ... my vote is for Channel Cat Edited November 9, 2012 by camillj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Its a channel cat from clear, rocky water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outllaw Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 channel they hit musky baits. st clair has tons of them lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmer Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 This is a black bullhead I caught down south a few years back. I think yours is a channel cat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinguypat Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Have the boys in the lab do an autopsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bare foot wader Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 having the tail in hand, and knowing for sure it's a square tail...that would make me think not channel cat...but never know for certain, a classic "tall fish tale" ha I believe counting the rays on the anal fin would help determine species, but again, not possible with those pics the larger bullheads down south, 4-5lbs, do look like that I'm sure it'll be good conversation at the cottage for years to come Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raf Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 fairly certain its a channel cat, that's how they look like up there seen a bit bigger sized one caught on a musky reef in the same area. hit a suick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris.brock Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 I'd say definately a channel cat, the bullheads and madtoms (way too big to be a madtom) have a tail closer to a bowfin, that tail looks forked but folded, there's plenty of them on the eastern shore of G Bay, aggresive too I remember my grandfather used to keep channel cats from 12 mile bay to eat, he'd throw them in the trunk of his car in a garbage bag, drive home (about 3.5 hours the speed he drove), put them in his laundry sink with water and they would all revive, pretty tough species Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now