Many anglers freak out the first time a catfish flops on the deck, absolutely convinced those whiskers are venomous. That panic is wasted energy. Whiskers, also called barbels, won’t harm anyone.
The real culprits? Spines on the dorsal and pectoral fins. They’re sharp, they can puncture skin, and they can create a day-ruining injury.
I’ve dealt with countless catfish over decades, and I’m about to dish out some facts every angler should know.
Key Highlights
- The whiskers (barbels) are harmless; the spines on dorsal and pectoral fins cause puncture injuries, not venomous stings.
- Use proper grips (behind spines or lip grips), gloves, and tools like nets for various catfish sizes to avoid injuries.
- If you get injured, clean and disinfect puncture wounds promptly to prevent infection, and monitor for signs of redness or swelling.
Clearing Up the “Sting” Myth
Catfish don’t sting. Let that sink in for a moment. Many first-timers insist catfish have stingers hidden in those iconic whiskers, but that’s pure fiction. Whiskers are sensory organs—completely harmless.
Painful encounters usually come from dorsal and pectoral fins equipped with firm, bony spines. Smaller catfish, in particular, pack an extra-sharp punch because their spines haven’t dulled from age or wear and tear.
Those spines can pierce the skin and cause bleeding, and bacteria on the fish or in the water can get into the wound. Folks often recall the sharp jab as a “sting” because it hurts, but there’s zero venom involved.
It’s basically a puncture that aches like crazy, sometimes triggers swelling, and can become infected if it isn’t cleaned promptly.
Key Anatomy
Catfish have three main fin spines:
1. Dorsal Fin (Top)
A single spine juts out from the top fin. It’s often the first place an angler’s hand makes contact if fish handling is careless. Small catfish have an especially rigid and needle-like spine here.
2. Pectoral Fins (Sides)
Each side sports a fin with a sharp spine at the leading edge. On bigger catfish, those spines get worn down somewhat, but a fast-moving pectoral fin can still do damage.
3. Barbels (Whiskers)
These fleshy extensions around the mouth look intimidating. They’re essential to the fish’s sense of taste and smell.
A barb can’t sting anyone. It’s soft to the touch. Yet, folks still repeat tall tales about painful whiskers because the catfish “look” menacing.
Safe Handling Approaches for Different Sizes
Small Catfish (Up to 12 Inches)
Handling a tiny catfish should be a breeze, provided there’s a reliable grip:
- Hand Placement: Position a hand right behind the dorsal spine. Keep that fleshy spot between thumb and forefinger snug behind the spine.
- Secure the Sides: Ensure fingers are behind the side spines on the pectoral fins as well. That positioning locks the fish in place.
- Maintain Firm Contact: A small catfish might squirm, so the key is a gentle but assertive grip. Keep the spines away from skin.
Medium Catfish (12 to 24 Inches)
Those fish present a bit more challenge. A single hand might not wrap around the entire area behind the dorsal spine and pectoral fins:
- Use Fish Grips: Grab a reliable set of fish grips designed for catfish.
- Keep Control: Clip the fish’s lower jaw, then support the body with the other hand.
- Avoid Panic: A catfish senses a shaky hold and will flail more aggressively.
Large Catfish (Over 24 Inches)
A whopper catfish demands respect. Bigger bodies can flop and thrash in ways that can cause trouble:
- Dip Net First: Secure the fish by scooping it with a sturdy net. Don’t try to wrestle a giant with bare hands alone. Gravity and an angry catfish can team up against any angler.
- Lip Grips: After netting, attach a lip grip. Some folks do the “hand-in-mouth” hold for photos. That’s workable with an experienced touch, but watch out for the rough, sandpaper-like mouth.
- Avoid Clumsy Maneuvers: Dropping a heavy catfish can injure both the fish and the angler. Keep the fish stable, get the photo, and release or place it in a livewell as needed.
Extra Precautions
Accidents happen when fish thrash in unexpected ways. A calm catfish can suddenly throw a fit, twist around, and drive a spine into a hand, leg, or foot.
- Protective Gear: Thick gloves can shield fingers and palms, but gloves might reduce tactile feeling when controlling smaller fish. Many anglers forgo gloves on small cats but use them for bigger ones.
- Firm Grip, Close to the Body: Don’t hold a catfish out at arm’s length like a ticking bomb. That flimsy stance invites a sudden twist that could end with a spine jab.
- Avoid the Belly Slime Myth: Some fishermen swear by smearing catfish slime into a spine wound to lessen the pain. That practice can invite infection. Better to use antiseptic if a fin punctures skin.
Dealing with Catfish Punctures
A fin to the hand can transform a fun day on the water into a painful ordeal. Swift action makes all the difference:
Clean Immediately
Rinse the wound with fresh water or use a bit of antibacterial soap if that’s available. Lake or river water probably isn’t the cleanest option, but it’s better than leaving the wound dirty for too long.
Disinfect Thoroughly
Use an antiseptic like hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, or iodine. That step stings, but it kills bacteria.
Apply Heat
Many anglers find relief by soaking the injured area in hot water (as hot as one can tolerate safely). Heat can reduce pain from the puncture, likely by breaking down any toxins or bacteria that slipped in.
Monitor the Wound
Keep an eye out for redness, increasing pain, swelling, or pus. Those are possible signs of infection. Seek professional medical help if anything seems suspicious.
Common Handling Scenarios and Strategies
Boat Fishing
Landing a thrashing catfish in a small craft can get chaotic:
- Use a Landing Net: Scoop the fish rather than grabbing it in the water. That method keeps the fish from escaping and prevents a hurried fumble.
- Stabilize on the Deck: Once on the boat floor, get that catfish under control. Use a lip grip or place a hand behind the spines. Resist the urge to poke at it with bare hands while it’s still flipping around.
- Watch Your Feet: An inadvertent step on a spine can pierce the sole of a shoe. Keep the fish contained and away from areas with gear lying around.
Bank or Shoreline Fishing
Reeling in a catfish from shore carries risks too:
- Approach Slowly: A catfish on land often flops like an acrobat. Careless steps or rushed attempts to grab it can lead to an unwanted spine jab.
- Pliers First: Remove the hook with pliers. Then secure the fish with a behind-the-spine hold or a fish grip before picking it up.
- Avoid the Tail: Grabbing the tail alone is an excellent way to get a face full of thrashing dorsal fin.
Wading or Kayak Fishing
Handling catfish in tight quarters can be tricky. Water up to the waist or a cramped kayak doesn’t offer much wiggle room:
- Keep a Net Handy: A small, foldable net is a wader’s best friend. Lip grips or fish grips also work wonders when stabilizing a catfish before it can twist around.
- Stay Balanced: A sudden thrash can throw a fisherman off balance. Don’t topple into the water while juggling a catfish.
- Elevate the Fish: Try to hold the catfish at chest height, away from vulnerable areas like thighs or abdomen. Spines can cause more damage if they jam into large muscle areas.
Proven Techniques for a Confident Grip
Behind-the-Spines Grip
An angler classic, especially for small and medium catfish:
- Place one hand directly behind the dorsal spine.
- Encircle the body so that thumb and fingers end up behind the pectoral spines on each side.
- Keep a firm but gentle hold. There’s no need to crush the fish’s ribcage, but the spines should be locked in a position that prevents them from stabbing.
Lip Grip (Using Tools)
Sometimes the simplest method, especially for those who don’t like the idea of grabbing spines at all:
- Attach the Grip to the catfish’s lower jaw. Many grips lock once engaged, so the fish can’t pull free.
- Support the Fish by placing the other hand under its belly. That extra stability prevents twisting.
- Useful for Medium to Large Fish that are heavier and prone to powerful thrashing.
Hand-in-Mouth Hold (Big Boys Only)
Large catfish can be cradled in a big paw if the angler is comfortable with the rough texture inside the mouth:
- Insert a Hand: Slide fingers into the fish’s mouth, hooking around the lower jaw.
- Firm Grip: The interior of a catfish mouth feels like coarse sandpaper. It can scrape skin, so watch out.
- Consider Gloves: Some prefer a glove to avoid raw knuckles, but that’s personal preference.
Things Anglers Often Overlook
- Shoes Matter: Steel-toe boots or shoes with decent protection can save a foot if a thrashing catfish ends up on the ground.
- Children and Catfish: Kids can get overly excited and try to pet the “whiskers.” Teach them to avoid the dorsal and pectoral fins, or do the handling for them until they’re confident.
- Don’t Rush: A calmer approach leads to fewer accidents. Release adrenaline, take a breath, and handle the catfish once it’s no longer flipping like crazy.
Cleanliness and Gear Tips
- Disinfect Tools: Pliers, fish grips, and nets can accumulate bacteria over time. Give them a quick rinse with disinfectant, especially if an angler or fish gets cut.
- Glove Material: Some gloves have reinforced palms to stop spines. Others are simple cotton or rubber. Make sure the chosen glove suits the size of catfish in the area.
- Replace Worn-Out Nets: A net that’s torn or broken can lead to a catfish slipping out and bouncing around the boat—or worse, hooking the angler with a spine.
A Few Words on First Aid
An angler’s kit should contain:
- Clean Water or Bottled Water (for rinsing wounds in a pinch)
- Antiseptic Wipes or Liquid (e.g., iodine or peroxide)
- Bandages (adhesive and gauze)
- Pain Relievers (like ibuprofen)
- Small Towel (for wiping up blood or slime)
Swift treatment not only helps reduce infection risk but also lets an angler keep fishing without agonizing pain.
Some people keep a small thermos of hot water or a way to heat water. That can be valuable for soaking a punctured hand or finger on the spot.
Final Thoughts
Safe catfish handling boils down to keeping spines away from skin. Nothing mysterious about it: use a proper grip, have the right tools, and apply common sense.
Don’t let rumors about “stinging whiskers” spook you into sloppy handling. Catfish are an angler’s delight—tasty, often abundant, and surprisingly fun to catch.
Earn bragging rights by landing hefty specimens without letting a spine ruin the day. Land that fish, snap a photo, and hold it like a pro. That’s the way to show the world a real catfish angler knows how to stay safe and keep fishing.
Keep hooks sharp, spines away from hands, and get back out there. Good luck, and don’t forget a net—nobody wants a surprise spine through a boot.