Catfish, Blue nvfisher_NC

Photo: 

Species:

Location: 
Dan River, NC
Date Caught: 
Monday, July 5, 2021

Comments

BigPike's picture

This fish looks like it could be a breeding male Channel cat, but it could very well be a blue. The only way to tell is if you have a good picture of the anal fin. Or if you already counted the rays.

SomewhereDownstream's picture

I know it isn't definitive, but that fish looks like a blue to me. It's something about the position of the eye or the shape of the head, I think.

Also, the expedition report says this weighed close to 23 pounds. At that size, a blue is way more likely than a channel.

SomewhereDownstream

BigPike's picture

To me the fish looks a little too dark, something I only see in channels. Blues tend to be a lighter color. Otherwise, it has characteristics of both a blue and a channel, the only way to be sure is the anal fin. Sadly the name blue cat is misleading and leads many anglers to be sure that if the fish is blue, it must be a bluecat. But as for the size, channels commonly get to thats size. The record here in Missouri is around 34 lbs. 

p,s, I should add that it being dark throughout the entire body, blues are usually only dark on the upper half year round, rather then channel cats changing during breeding season.

The photo is a bit misleading I'll be honest. The belly is covered up and is a white coloration. I could post that for species request if it would help get a better I.D. 

Nathan Vaughan

Dr Flathead's picture

I'd agree that is a male channel cat. And definitely not 23 lbs. More like 12-15 max

SomewhereDownstream's picture

Okay, you both clearly know more about the differences between these species than I do.

I had the same thought about the size, but wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. nvfisher, did you weigh it, or is 23 pounds an estimate?

SomewhereDownstream

It's a very rough estimate, I'll be honest. I don't like weighing fish

Nathan Vaughan

SomewhereDownstream's picture

Fair enough--me neither. 

I like to look at length/weight charts online to get at least some idea.

SomewhereDownstream

Thanks for that insight, just found one I'm going to start using to help my guessing skills be a little less off the cuff!

Nathan Vaughan