handling catfish

[shore finder]

I need some advise. whenever i catch a catfish I am a bit timid in handling it because I dont want to get stung. I usualy grasp the fish behind the head and pray for the best. So far so Good.

I am sort of new to fishing, and never had anyone clearly show me how to handle a catfish. Where does the stinger come out of? is it that dangerous? Cant you just lip em like a bass if they're a small one (under 5 lbs)?

What is the best way to handle a catfish?

[slop]

I find it a bit disturbing to find that a lad your size to be a bit timid

I don't suggest lipping Placing your hand behind the spike in the fins so that your thumb and index finger are using the spike as leverage and keeping your handling hand outta the way. Pushing the fins towards the head of the fish is all that is needed.

Or....next time I see you, I will illustrate said technique..............

[Eli]

The stingers are the first spines of the dorsal and pecotoral fins. Only smaller channel cats (and bullheads) have sharp ones and once they get in the 10lb+ range the spines become dull.
The small fish you can lip no problem. The bigger ones can take your thumb nail off so either wear a glove or hold em with one hand around the tail and the other under the gut.

[Wallyboss]

Make sure that you have a bottle of hand sanitizer around. If you get stung just wash your hands properly with sanitizer. Gettingb stung usually end ups burning for a couple of days , but with one wash with sanitizer the burning is gone immediatly

[kerplunker]

ah, its not hard to handle them spread yer fingers around the spines and use them to your advantage, once u have a good grip, pop yer hook out, itll come to ya with a bit of practice

[bruce]

hold em like this!and if u get spiked and have no alcohol u can pee on the cut.saw that on the survivor guy,stops the pain and disinfects also.

[Wallyboss]

That's a nice size cat Bruce.

They usually sting me as I am tossing them back in the water

[Canmoore]

Do bullheads and channels have poison? I though that some southern species of cats might have some sort of poison, or at least bacteria on the barbs. But i thought that our humble bullheads were pretty tame, just really sharp barbs that can make for a miserable outing.