I used to absolutely hate these things.
I don't anymore, thanks to this guy right here.
To this day, it was the largest Sail Cat (or Gafftopsail Catfish) I have ever caught, or ever seen.
One of a couple varieties of saltwater catfish that frequently pester anglers, Sail Cats are the only one considered to be somewhat decent table fare. I have never eaten one, so I can't speak on this. They are also extremely slimy, and many can attest to the "gallons" of snot-like sludge they will leave all over the dock or deck. Much like their freshwater cousins, they are opportunistic feeders and are not too picky on what they eat.
This one in particular went after a 4" soft plastic paddle tail. I skipped it under the mangroves and he hit it instantly, with a level of ferocity I was not prepared for. After the hookset, the initial drag pulling run made me believe it was a redfish at first. The battle was short but fierce, and he spun the kayak twice before finally accepting defeat.
It wasn't until I was grabbing the net that I realized what it was. Dismayed at first, because I was hoping to land a nice redfish after a long dry spell, I took a breath and decided this fish deserved my respect after the fight it gave me.
A quick picture and hook removal later, it was released back to the mangroves and I spent the next 3 business days cleaning slime off the deck of my kayak.
Give the wiley Sail Cat another chance. Catching them on a heavy rod and live shrimp is one thing, but fighting a big one on light tackle while throwing lures is another.
Keep casting!
Posted by t60143