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CatFish Man's Trivia…

Catfish and most mammals have whiskers.

There are more than 2,500 species of catfish.

Catfish are the only fish with "naked" skin.

Many species of catfish feed on aquatic plants.


	How Old Is That Catfish? Florida's Fishery Scientists Know… Ever aged a tree by looking at the number of growth rings on the sawed end of a log? Believe it or not-- you can age a catfish similarly, but using the otoliths or the spine on the pectoral fins. What's an otolith? Otoliths are a series of three inner ear bones that allow us to hear. Yes, you and catfish! Where is the pectoral spine? It is on the leading edge of the fin located on the side of the catfish just below and behind the gills. The technique for getting to the otoliths amounts to a "frontal lobotomy." The bad thing is that the fish has to die. Florida fishery biologists have discovered you can use the pectoral spine, but by "clipping" it off near the skin, and the fish does not have to die. Once cut, the spine will regenerate itself. By placing a section of an otolith or spine under a microscope, the age can be determined by counting the rings.


	CatFish Man's Tasteful, Toothsome, Tantalizing Recipe Baked Crusted Catfish... 4 tsp vegetable oil 1 egg white (beaten) 1 1/4 lb catfish filets 1/4 tsp ground red pepper 1/2 cup all purpose flour 1/2 tsp salt (optional) 1/2 cup yellow corn meal Fresh lemon wedges Heat oven to 450 degrees. Use 15"X10"X3/4" baling pan. Brush with oil over surface and set aside. Place flour on waxed paper. Beat egg white in shallow bowl. Combine corn meal, salt, and pepper on 2nd sheet of waxed paper. Dip fish in flour and then dip fish in egg white. Roll in cornmeal to coat and place in baking pan. Bake until bottoms of fish are browned and you can hear the filets sizzling. Turn over and bake until brow and crisp. Serve with lemon wedges. Serves 4 (From the American Institute of Cancer Research)


	Cross-section of an otolith showing three growth rings (3 years old)

Fishing Tips from the CFM…

Fish like to be in the shade. When fishing around trees, docks, bridges, pilings, and any other objects that cast shadows on the water, look at the sun's angle and try to visualize the area of the bottom that would be shaded. There's a good chance that area is holding fish.

Night fishing for cats? Ever thought about using fluorescent line and a black light? You will be able to see the line in the dark, but the fish won't.

Before it gets dark, put the line on your reel, tie up leaders and hooks, fix the bait so you can find it, and make sure your flashlight and boat lights work.


	Cross-section of a pectoral spine showing three growth rings (3 years old)


	Aging the catfish and looking at the fish population as a whole is only one method used to make sure it is healthy and balanced. Annual growth rates can be determined during the fish's life by measuring the distance between the growth rings and applying a mathematical formula. Channel catfish for instance, grow from six to greater than ten inches the first year in the wild. From Otiliths and spines it has been determined channel catfish can grow from thirty to greater than thirty-five inches in seven years or less.

Take Me Fishing.org is a great general information site for recreational anglers and boaters.

Florida Fishing Capital of the World--Great Resources, Responsible Management