Fish guide
Hardhead Catfish (hazard)
Ariopsis felis. Also called Hardhead, Sea catfish.
Bait thief, often thick in dirty surf (Sebastian Inlet District). Listed so you can identify it; not a target.
Showing the fish for Space Coast, FL.
Season in Space Coast
Sebastian Inlet reports catfish at the south jetty tip in April and mostly catfish and stingrays in the dirty south surf in October. FWC lists catfish as a year-round catch farther south (Palm Beach to Miami-Dade). Weak chart. (Our inference)
Season by region
| Space Coast | JFMAMJJASOND |
|---|---|
| Southeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southwest Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Tampa Bay | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Big Bend | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Panhandle | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Alabama | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Mississippi | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Louisiana | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Upper Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Middle Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Lower Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
Where to find them
On the bottom near piers, bridges and muddy bays; often thick in dirty surf.
Bottom; finds crabs, fish and shrimp with its barbels (TPWD).
What to look for
Repeated bait theft on bottom rigs.
Bait
Any natural bait (shrimp, cut fish, squid). .
Leader
Common mistakes
- Grabbing it by hand or stepping on it; the spines go through shoes (TPWD)
Landing
Swing it up or slide it in, then control it with pliers.
Handling
- Sharp, barbed dorsal and pectoral spines coated in mildly toxic slime; a puncture causes severe pain and swelling
Hold it with pliers, never by hand and never with your foot: TPWD says tennis shoes or leather soles are not enough protection. Cut the line if you cannot unhook it safely.
Keep or release
In South Carolina, release immediately (sea catfish possession prohibited). Elsewhere check the regulations file. TPWD: edible but not very tasty and difficult to clean.
Typical: About 10 in and half a pound (TPWD). Large: 2 lb or more. Texas record 3.3 lb, 19 in (1997).
Limits
FishOS has not checked the FL limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you keep a fish.
Sources
- Sebastian Inlet District fishing report (Snookman): week of April 4 (Angler knowledge)
- Sebastian Inlet District fishing report (Snookman): week of October 10, mullet drawing in sharks, tarpon and snook (Angler knowledge)
- Florida FWC: Where to Saltwater Fish (species and seasons by county, Nassau to Monroe) (Official source)
- Texas Parks and Wildlife: hardhead catfish (Arius felis) (Official source)
- Florida Museum, Florida fishes gallery: hardhead catfish (Official source)