Beginner's Catfish Paradise: Santee Cooper Lakes

Blue Catfish

Blue Catfish (Ictalurus Furcatus) Fish Description

Blue Catfish are known for their slate-blue bodies. However, they are often mistaken for the Channel Catfish because of their appearance. To identify them, people usually count the rays on their fins. Blue Catfish only have 30-36 rays on their fins. Another is to look closely at the anal fin. Blue Catfish’s anal fin has a squared-off edge whereas Channel Catfish have a rounded anal fin. They also have a dorsal hump which the Channel Catfishes don’t really have.

Known also as Blue Cat, Blue Catfish have similar traits to that of their catfish cousins. They have a deeply forked tail which is where they got their scientific name. Blue Catfish also have a bit of an underbite, which makes them more prone to surface feeding. Blue Catfish, like all other catfish, have whisker-looking barbels that place them in the Catfish group.

Blue Catfish Diet and Size

Blue Catfish are terrifying hunters and are often described as opportunistic. Like their other catfish cousins, they eat virtually anything. Though, they have a preference for crawfish, some freshwater mussels, frogs, and other aquatic substances that are readily available. Larger Blue Catfish are also known to become predators of the Asian Carp. 

Anglers usually notice the Blue Catfish feasting on some baitfish under a school of feeding Striped Bass. In a way, Blue Catfish act like scavengers when it comes to hunting for food.

Blue Catfishes are the largest among all the North American catfish species. Blue Catfish range between 25-46 inches and weigh at an average of 81.5 lbs.

Interesting Facts about the Blue Catfish

• Blue Catfish are considered pests in some states like Virginia.
  • When anglers catch Blue Catfish, they’re usually told to kill them to cull their numbers.
  • Blue Catfish love feeding on Blue Crabs which is detrimental to Virginia’s fisheries.
• Blue Catfish are so sturdy for their ability to handle brackish water.
  • It has a low mortality rate due to its intimidating size and its success rate as a hunter.
• Because the population of Blue Catfish exploded, some people have even resorted to electrofishing.
  • Electrofishing is a technique that scientists often use to stun or impair the fish.
    • Doing this allows them to research more into the fish.
  • However, some states have opted to use Electrofishing as a means of culling Blue Catfish. Some have caught around 700 Blue Catfish per hour!

Blue Catfish – Fishing Techniques: How to Fish for a Blue Catfish

Like any catfish, they prefer freshly-cut up bait. Having cut fresh bait has the blood of the bait drip into the water which will seduce the catfish via its taste receptors on its body. Once the Blue Catfish detects it, they’ll start heading to your bait. Some people have noted that herring, sardine, and even chicken liver will be a good bait for catching a Blue Catfish.

As for leaving your bait, let it sink all the way to the ground. Blue Catfish are opportunistic so they’re not going to attack a bait that’s constantly moving. Let it fall to the ground until you feel a nibble. Wait for a good 1-2 nibbles (though it depends on how much bait you put) before reeling it in.

Others use Electrofishing which uses a cathode and anode to attract them to you. Once they come to you, they’ll suffer a slight “stun” or shock but that doesn’t affect their meat quality. It will make it easier for you to catch though and you just might find yourself hauling out a lot.

Make sure you also bring leather gloves or gloves that have a lot of friction. They’re slimy and they will put up a fight so you’ll need gloves to have a good grip on these slippery creatures.

Blue Catfish Habitat and Distribution

The best place to start fishing for Blue Catfish is a place where they are considered pests. So, Virginia might be a good place to start.

Once there, start looking in lakes and rivers. Blue Catfish stay in those kinds of places but they do have a specific requirement: it has to be near some sort of tidal creek. Since Blue Catfishes follow the tides, they usually end up the creek and stay there especially if they found a channel or hole to their liking. The holes need to deep and have to be muddy at the bottom. Once, there you can give it a shot.

Crappie

Crappie (Poxomis) 

Crappies are game fish and the largest members of the Centrarchidae family. They are present in nature as Black Crappie (Poxomis nigromaculatus) or and White Crappie (Poxomis annularus). Both the species are similar to each other, apart from few distinctions. White crappie will have vertical bars running the length of their body, and black crappie will have no discernible pattern and will just be speckled, hence their nickname, “specks". White crappie has 5-6 spines, and black crappie has 7-8 spines. Anglers often differentiate the two by body shapeGrenade Lake, Mississippi, and Reel foot Lake are considered among giant crappie lakes. 

Crappie Habitat and Distribution

Both the crappies have a similar habitat, though black crappie prefers clearer water than white crappie. These fishes can be found in rivers, lakes, and backwater pools swimming in shallow waters or hiding among bushes, vegetation, or other covers. 

Crappie is native to Canada and the eastern States. It is a much-enjoyed game fish in North America and inhabits the Great Lakes, Hudson Bay, and the Mississippi River Basins. 

Crappie Size and Weight 

Crappie can be 7-12 inches long and weigh about 0.5-1 pounds. 

Crappie Interesting Facts

Crappie is known for its tasty and white meat. 

• Both Poxomis nigromaculatus and Poxomis annularus are less active during the day.
• Both the fishes have a different number of dorsal fin spines. White Crappie has 6 while Black Crappie has 7 or 8.
• Mouth of Black Crappie is larger and reaches mid-eye and has a resemblance to largemouth bass.
• Crappie travels in schools.
• Female lays 5000-60000 eggs.
• Crappie can live for 7 to 10 years.

Is Crappie Good to Eat?

Despite its name, crappie is an excellent source of nutrition, containing high amounts of protein and essential omega-3 fatty acids. Although it's not as popular as salmon or tuna, crappie can be a delicious addition to any healthy diet. They are known for their delicate taste and ease of preparation. 

When cooked properly, crappie has a delicate flavor and flaky texture, making it perfect for grilling, frying, or baking. Moreover, because they are smaller fish than other common species, such as bass or catfish, the chances of mercury contamination in their flesh are much lower.

Crappie Spawning 

Crappie spawning season begins in early spring and summer when the water temperature is 62 F-68 F. Male builds the nest in soft or gravelly spots, the female lays the eggs, and the male guards the nest. Eggs take 2 to 5 days to hatch. 

Crappie Food 

Depending on the age, Crappie victims consist of zooplankton, crustaceans, small fish, minnows, insects, gizzard or threadfin shads, and larvae of other game fishes. 

Crappie Fishing 

Crappie is most active at dawn or dusk. Anglers recommend using live bait and properly sized hooks, not too small, not too large. 

Spin or Bait Fishing for Crappie:

Spin fishing for crappie is a popular angling technique used for years. The use of small lures, such as crappie spinners or jigs along the bottom with light tackle, makes it possible to catch these elusive fish with ease. Crappie spinner fishing involves using a spinning rod and reel setup to cast the lure out into the water and retrieve it in a steady fashion. 
When fishing for crappie with a spinner, it's essential to choose the right size and color of the lure. Smaller lures are more effective when targeting this species due to their smaller mouths. Additionally, selecting colors that mimic the natural prey of crappie can help increase your chances of catching them. It's also important to consider where you're casting your line when using spinners for crappie fishing.

Another popular technique is a bobber with a hook with live bait such as worms or small minnows. This is a proven method to catch crappie.

Fly Fishing for Crappie:

• Fly fishing for Crappie is exciting. Both dry and wet flies work well. Use dry flies on still and calm days, especially early and late. A great way to start a young angler on fly fishing, crappie is not as challenging as much other game fish.
• The best-wet flies for fly fishing are streamers and nymphs and soft large hackles. Streamers (small) are perfect when the fish is eating minnows.
• Anglers can fly fish for Crappie near fallen trees or bushes using a dry or wet fly. Be patient and let the fish properly take the hook. - Clouser Minnow is the ultimate fly bait that can catch even the sluggish crappie.

Crappie Baits and Lures: 

• Spinners
• Pan-fish jigs
• Small crankbaits
• Insects
• Worms
• Streamer flies
• Small minnows
• Nymphs

Green Sunfish

Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) Fish Description

A popular panfish among anglers, the Green Sunfish is a freshwater fish that can be either caught live as a pet or for eating. Despite being known as a sunfish, it doesn’t really have the shape of the sun. However, the Green Sunfish gets its name for its fins that are more like rays rather than spines. The Green Sunfish like its cousin, the Ocean Sunfish, can be quite bony.  

As its name states, the Green Sunfish is blue-green in color. It has yellow flecks on both its bony scales and some parts of its ventral sides. The Green Sunfish also has broken blue stripes which is why some people confuse it with the Bluegill. One of its most distinctive features is the dark spot that it has. The Green Sunfish has three areas where those dark spots are: one at the back end of the dorsal fin, another at the base of the anal fins, and one on the ear plate. However, it still can be difficult to tell the Green Sunfish apart from its other cousins since they frequently cross-breed. Another one of their distinct features is that they have a large mouth which is bigger than most of their sunfish cousins.

Green Sunfish Diet and Size

Green Sunfish are omnivores but they do have a preference for live food. They love bloodworms, aquatic insects, most available worm-based baits (i.e. waxworms, bloodworms and, mealworms). However, the Green Sunfish also like eating crayfish and snails. Some hobbyists also noted that they don’t have issues eating turtle food either. 

They also take in some smaller fish, fish eggs, some zooplankton and, easy to pick invertebrates.

Green Sunfish usually are 3-7 inches approximately in length. They also usually weigh less than a pound. However, someone managed to capture a Green Sunfish at 30 cm (that’s basically 1 foot!) with its weight at 960 grams (2.2 lbs).

Interesting Facts about the Green Sunfish

• Green Sunfish are not usually recommended for consumption.
  • These fish are quite bony and it can be quite irritating for those who are starting a diet on fish.
  • These fish aren’t meant for child consumption either unless the child knows how to flake a fish.
• Green Sunfish are known for cross-breeding.
  • This makes it difficult even for experienced anglers to tell the difference.
  • Although the Green Sunfish has some specific distinctions, their cross-breeding can make it hard which is why they’re mistaken for their cousins.
• Although Green Sunfish are a popular game fish and native to North America, they are considered an invasive species.
  • The Green Sunfish have a nasty tendency to overpopulate and many anglers say they don’t even grow to an admirable size.
  • Their inability to grow to a decent size may be due to their tendency to overpopulate. The less space the fish has, the more it’ll stunt its growth.
• Apparently, people need a license to own a Green Sunfish!
  • Because they’re considered an invasive species in New Jersey and Florida, they are immediately killed especially if you’re an angler in New Jersey.
  • People usually keep Green Sunfish only if they have a license to own them which is usually a license for research.
• Green Sunfish can be quite aggressive.
  • Once they’ve established their dominance in a certain area, they won’t hesitate to attack other small fishes and possibly even swimmers.
  • The Green Sunfish are known to bite. So, don’t go in the water if you know that you’re in a Green Sunfish infested area!
  • Their aggression may be due to also the nature of their courtship dance. The Green Sunfish are observed to exert physical force if they find another fish nearing its nest.

Green Sunfish – Fishing Techniques: How to Fish for a Green Sunfish

When fishing for Green Sunfish, the first thing to get is live bait. The more alive, the better. Some anglers recommend using nightcrawlers, waxworms, mealworms, and blood worms. Bloodworms may be the easiest to procure though they should be alive. Most stores especially pet stores sell bloodworms frozen. 

Once you have your live bait, head over to a freshwater body. Some say that the more debris there is, the better. The Green Sunfish love hiding among the debris as it makes a good substitute for their nests. They also like weed beds which serve as their camouflage. 

When fishing for the fierce Green Sunfish, many anglers recommend the pole fishing method. Primitive but, the pole fishing method allows you to detect when the Green Sunfish will strike. The lighter it is, the better. Some even say that the material that your pole matters a lot when fishing for the Green Sunfish. They usually say a good Carbon Fiber pole would do. It’s light but it’s sturdy enough to withstand the weight of its strikes.

Using a pole will also help you do a little bobbing especially if your bait is a little dead. The more it shows some movement, the higher the chances the Green Sunfish will strike. 

Green Sunfish Habitat and Distribution 

Green Sunfish are quite adaptable fish which is why they can also be considered an invasive species. As long as there is vegetation, they will go for it. However, they do have a preference for slow streams and sluggish moving bodies of water. Probably a preference especially when they begin setting up their nest and laying eggs. Check among the weeds too; they’re usually found there hiding.