Fishermen, we have a problem. Blue catfish. They are taking over the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Ironically, it was the Game Department’s idea to bring blue catfish to our area, thinking that because of their ability to grow to huge sizes (over 100 pounds), they would be a welcomed addition to our gamefish menu. Little did they know that this now invasive species would take to saltwater like a squirrel to an oak tree. The hugely aggressive fish will eat literally everything – shrimp, crabs, stripers, spot, menhaden, trout – everything. And they eat a lot – up to 10% of their body weight every day.
I first ran across blue cats in saltwater about 7 or 8 years ago. We were fishing off a dock in Urbanna Creek, just off the Rappannock. I was throwing a GULP Swimming Mullet, hoping to entice a striper and happened to let the bait settle to the bottom while I lit a cigar. The line began moving out and I set the hook on what turned out to be a blue catfish. Then, another and another and another – nice fish up to 5-pounds.
The one good thing about blue catfish is that they are good – very good – to eat. They are not bottom feeders like many other species, and they are both nutritious and delicious. The best eating fish are under 30-inches as the larger fish may accumulate toxins from the Bay.
Now, our Game Department is practically begging fishermen to do their part and catch and eat as many as possible. They generally bite best the last hour or two of the day, and they will eat most any bait you throw out.
So go catch a bunch, and if you see them in the seafood section of your grocery store – buy them. They are delicious.
