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#5330381 - 09/21/10 11:15 PM
Re: Overcoming fear of catfish!
[Re: fish 'till I drop]
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Outdoorsman
Registered: 09/13/03
Posts: 65
Loc: odessa
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had a deep stick and it hurt like heck, had a numb hand for about an hour but got over it.
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#5332107 - 09/22/10 01:29 PM
Re: Overcoming fear of catfish!
[Re: metalaaron]
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Outdoorsman
Registered: 01/13/09
Posts: 73
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Okay guys,
I know this is a fishing forum full of avid, experienced fishermen. With that being said, I thought it'd be a good place to come for help.
You see,
I just recently got into fishing. I went a few times here and there as a kid, but not as much as I've been lately.
I love catfishing, it's awesome. And in my opinion, is the best tasting freshwater fish (along with crappie) out there.
I'm a big bearded burly kid. If any of you saw me, I can guarantee you that you'd never think for a second I'd be afraid of un hooking a catfish.
Well... as embarrassing as it is to admit... I AM!
I've never been finned before in my life. I've just heard SO MANY horror stories about being finned by so many people.
You see, I'm a hypochondriac, so I'm thinking that I'd just flip out if it were to happen.
I hear about infections, getting ill, the tremendous pain that getting finned causes.
So, would any of you wise men be so kind as to explaining the proper way to dismount a hook from the cat's mouth?
And explain to me what to do if I get finned by a catfish?
Does it mean I need to be rushed to the hospital?
Please...do tell.
Thanks guys.
No worries. It's not that bad. It hurts but to me, not anymore than a wasp or bee sting. The pain is more from the venom, like how a jellyfish sting would work. To put this in better perspective... Comparisons... -bee sting vs catfish finned... rather be stung -going shopping with girlfriend vs being finned.... rather get finned... -getting finned or slapped by another man... getting finned.
_________________________
LOL! "I'm one of the few asians with a real fishing license!"
Proud Annual Texas Parks and Wildlife Cardholder. SUPPORT TEXAS PARKS
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#5333568 - 09/22/10 08:16 PM
Re: Overcoming fear of catfish!
[Re: Hill Hopper]
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TFF Guru
Registered: 07/27/07
Posts: 18352
Loc: Plano TX
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#5335694 - 09/23/10 12:24 PM
Re: Overcoming fear of catfish!
[Re: Trickster]
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TFF Team Angler
Registered: 04/19/04
Posts: 3120
Loc: Rockwall
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I never handle them when unhooking. I just grab the hook with the needle nose pliers and shake. I shake them over the livewell if they are destined for the pan or over the side of the boat. When I do have to handle them a grab them around the head with my thumb behind one fin and index finger behind the other. I have never been finned bad but I had a buddy that was seining with me that was. We caught a baby cat in the seine and he put his hand down right on its dorsal fin. He buried the whole fin in his palm.
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#5337834 - 09/23/10 11:39 PM
Re: Overcoming fear of catfish!
[Re: fish 'till I drop]
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Extreme Angler
Registered: 08/05/08
Posts: 2070
Loc: Snagsville
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I agree with fishhauler...I've been stuck countless times and it's always the bullhead or small channels that are most dangerous. They're just too hard to grasp anywhere without having to deal with a sticker.
I've never been cataclysmically stuck like some of the horror stories you hear. Usually it's no worse than a bee sting but you do want to try to keep the wound clean as it is prone to infection. Whether this is from the catfish itself or just the generally unsanitary conditions we often find ourselves fishing in I don't know. I do know that catfish spines contain a small bit of poison which makes the wounds more painful.
Like others have said, if you learn to handle them correctly, you reduce your risk factor considerably, whether this is with a gripper tool or just your hands. I'd rather have a firm hold on one while trying to unhook it than just trying to do the pliers shake method, which has gotten me stung before also.
_________________________
Ben
LSCB
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#5343811 - 09/25/10 08:35 PM
Re: Overcoming fear of catfish!
[Re: Kelly G.]
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TFF Celebrity
Registered: 02/06/09
Posts: 8074
Loc: highland village/lake Lewisvil...
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you guys are worried about getting finned a little bit, just wait till you get ahold of a biggun and stick your hand in its mouth and it takes the hide off the top of your hand!!! now that hurts but its worth it!!!LOL
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I live with Fear everyday but sometimes she lets me go fishin Gravley Construction  2012 fish in the boat:blues 517 PB 65# channel 61 caught on the boat pb 17 up to 68# Flats 0
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#5343983 - 09/25/10 09:28 PM
Re: Overcoming fear of catfish!
[Re: tgravley aka stinkbait tom]
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Angler
Registered: 06/18/10
Posts: 392
Loc: Fort Worth, Tx
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maybe this winter you can take me and my better half out and show us what you are talking about
yesterday i went w/ bro terry and i finally got finned (2 times at the same time) on the hand(only been finned in the leg, dropped a 4lber on a deck and it slapped up and got me).
It doesnt hurt that much on the hand, the first 5 mins felt like a bee sting, the next hour felt like an ant bite after that is was just a lil sore. Woke up this morning and forgot all about it until reading this post. I did put some slime from the catfish and it seemed to help the pain and it made a scab over it which kept anything from getting in there and getting it infected
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#5344784 - 09/26/10 10:40 AM
Re: Overcoming fear of catfish!
[Re: 817angler]
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Angler
Registered: 06/06/07
Posts: 455
Loc: Longview, Tx
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lol like hell it just feels like a beesting...Maybe if they just barely get you...I had a big bullhead bury its dorsal to the hilt between my thumb and forefinger, took about 5 min. and my hand was basically turned into a claw...
or maybe i'm just a big sissy lol...
_________________________
Eric Nykamp 903-746-7146 
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#5345248 - 09/26/10 01:47 PM
Re: Overcoming fear of catfish!
[Re: enykamp]
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Angler
Registered: 06/18/10
Posts: 392
Loc: Fort Worth, Tx
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lol like hell it just feels like a beesting...Maybe if they just barely get you...I had a big bullhead bury its dorsal to the hilt between my thumb and forefinger, took about 5 min. and my hand was basically turned into a claw...
or maybe i'm just a big sissy lol... well it wasnt his dorsal fin, but he did get me. Im glad the fin didnt get stuck in me.
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#5345348 - 09/26/10 02:09 PM
Re: Overcoming fear of catfish!
[Re: 817angler]
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Extreme Angler
Registered: 04/13/09
Posts: 2566
Loc: Fort Worth
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If your affraid catfish you should take up crappie fishing.
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Fighting Texas Aggie Class 2001  34.5# Blue Cat
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#5345421 - 09/26/10 02:24 PM
Re: Overcoming fear of catfish!
[Re: BrianTx01]
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Angler
Registered: 06/18/10
Posts: 392
Loc: Fort Worth, Tx
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If your affraid catfish you should take up crappie fishing. i aint affraid of nothing but snakes. I need a lil more practice handling the cats thats all. Like others have stated its the smaller channels that are the worse, they seem to move around alot more. Harder to get them under control.
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#5433509 - 10/21/10 10:11 AM
Re: Overcoming fear of catfish!
[Re: GLASSANGLER]
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Outdoorsman
Registered: 10/18/10
Posts: 20
Loc: forney
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" IF that catfish sticks you, Just pee on it "
quote: " grandpa "
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#5433679 - 10/21/10 10:52 AM
Re: Overcoming fear of catfish!
[Re: banker77]
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Outdoorsman
Registered: 07/30/10
Posts: 88
Loc: Texas
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I am scared to death to remove a catfish! ! !
I caught a small catfish on Lake Cleburne on a Spinner Bait.
My M.O. is to step on them and then remove the hook with pliers, then kick them off the side of the boat.
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"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!" Arthur Carlson WKRP in Cincinnati
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#5433770 - 10/21/10 11:07 AM
Re: Overcoming fear of catfish!
[Re: noodlebuttsmom]
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TFF Guru
Registered: 07/27/07
Posts: 18352
Loc: Plano TX
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Use long pliers and you should not need to touch the fish. Grab the hook and use the weight of the fish to get the hook out.
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