Wells Catfish
name: Wells Catfish
other names: N/A
The Wells Catfish is one of Europe 's largest freshwater fish. These catfish where introduced into Britain in the latter half of the Nineteenth century. They have two long barbels from the top of the mouth and 4 shorter barbels from underneath it's mouth.They also have a very small Dorsal Fin and a relatively long Anal fin. They have very small eyes adapted for low light vision. They have no teeth but along the top and the bottom just inside the mouth they have a bony rasp. This allows it to grip and crush their prey. Its coloring can depend on the coloration of the water in which it resides but all have a mottled pattern of many shades of green, gray and black with a light underside.
Wells like either lakes or slow moving rivers, they have also known to habit tidal rivers with a slight saline content. They like weedy and snagy areas as to which ambush their pray. Wells catfish can be found over either muddy or hard gravel bottoms as they do not seem to prefer any peculiar type.
These catfish, like most very large fish, has a tremendous growth rate, especially where there is an abundance of available food. The fry are said to feed on insect larvae,blood worms and other invertebrates, before moving on to larger food items such as fish, Adult catfish main diet consists of mussels, crayfish, leeches, worms and even small birds and mammals. Prey is detected by both smell and vibration. Although live food make up a good proportion of the catfish's diet, they are primarily scavengers and will eat just about anything .These fish In general they are nocturnal feeders and become active at dusk. They are opportunist and swim around until they sense something to eat. Using smell, taste and vibrations to home onto a meal. Surprise is their method of attack they use the cover of darkness and the cover of snags to get close to their prey. The hotter the weather the better the chances of catching a catfish are. They virtually hibernate in winter. Catfish are designed to attack frontward's and / or upwards to catch their prey, so you can quite often see or hear catfish breaking surface while hunting. Although they are not designed to bottom feed Catfish have no problems visiting anglers baited areas especially for carp as catfish will gorge themselves on a anglers boilies.
In the UK the growth rates can vary dramatically, excluding very short term weight gains, growth rates of 1-2lbs a year would be average, 3-4lbs a year above average and over 4lbs a year excellent. It is all dependant on the availability of their food, lakes that are fished and therefore baited by carp anglers tend to have an above average growth rate. In spring the eggs are laid in a shallow depression excavated by the male. The eggs are laid in their thousands. Growth is very rapid and they mature at about 5 years. Wells Catfish are known to live in excess of 30 years.
Rods need to be of a 2.5lb test curve, with a all through action. For longer range methods try rods with a 3lb test. For fishing in France or Spain for the massive Wells Catfish do not consider anything under 4lb as 5lb rods are not uncommon. reels need to be large enough to hold at least 250 meters of line or braid, the choice is yours however braid with its lower diameter makes fishing large rivers with a strong flow easier. Most fishing is done with either live baits or dead baits, methods can vary from static baits, trotting / drifting baits to trolling live baits behind a boat. Another attractive method although it is banned on some stretch of rivers and lakes is cloncking, which simulates fish in distress on the waters surface which in turn attracts catfish up from the bottom looking for an easy meal.
