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thej enkinscountytimes .com
The Jenkins County Times
Friday, June 2, 2023- Page 11
Biggest Fish Species in Georgia,
The Blue Catfish
By Sam Eades, Publisher
for
The Times
Georgia, the southeastern
state of the United States,
is renowned for its diverse
and thriving ecosystems.
From picturesque coastal
regions to expansive rivers
and lakes, this diverse state
is home to a remarkable
variety of fish species.
Among them, there are
several notable giants that
capture the imagination
of anglers and nature
enthusiasts alike. Today, we
will dive into the captivating
world of the biggest fish in
Georgia, highlighting its
characteristics, habitats,
and the importance of their
conservation.
Yes, we are talking about
the Blue Catfish. Originally
native to the Mississippi
River system, the Blue
Catfish has found its way
into Georgia’s waters and
quickly established itself
as one of the largest and
most sought after fish
species. These fish can
grow to massive sizes, with
specimens exceeding 100
to 150 pounds or more, not
being uncommon, I want to
also mention it can grow
in length to about 25-46
inches long. In June of
2011, Nick Anderson of
Greenville, North Carolina
reeled in a 143-lb blue
catfish.
The Blue Catfish has a
distinctive bluish-gray
coloration and a broad,
flat head with prominent
barbels. Its diet, which
includes fish, crustaceans,
and even vegetation,
contributes to its rapid
growth and size.
This fish is considered an
invasive pest in some areas.
Blue catfish can tolerate
brackish water, and thus
can colonize along inland
waterways.
Catching their prey
becomes all the more easy
if it is already wounded or
dead, and blue catfish are
noted for feeding beneath
large schools of striped
bass in open water, in
reservoirs or feeding on
wounded baitfish that have
been washed through dam
spillways. Blue catfish are
one of the only species of
fish in Georgia lakes that
are able to eat adult Asian
carp.
These catfish are often
misidentified as channel
catfish. As stated
previously, blue catfish
are heavy bodied, blueish
gray in color, and also have
a dorsal hump. The best
way to tell the difference
between a channel catfish
and a blue catfish is to
count the number of rays on
the anal fin. A blue catfish
has 30-36 rays, whereas a
channel catfish has 25-29.
Blue catfish also have
barbels, a deeply forked
tail, and a protruding upper
jaw.
So, if you are out and
about fishing and wanting
to catch one of these
notable giant fish, take
your time, and try using
cut bait. It is one of the
most popular baits for blue
catfish. But many times it
actually seems like live bait
works somewhat better.
While cut bait can flutter in
the current, nothing moves
like a real live fish. How
about try both?
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Uncle Roger's
Tales of the Ogeechee
"River Rats" tour the
Ogeechee River once again
The group that calls
themselves. The "River
Rats" , have toured the
Ogeechee River once
again. On Friday, April 21,
2023, 34 boats carrying
seventy local citizens
who call themselves the
River Rats, set off right
here in Jenkins County to
make their annual tour of
the Ogeechee River. The
duration of the tour lasted
from Friday April 21, 2023
to Sunday, April 23, 2023
and ended at Kings Ferry
in Chatham County.
Money was raised by
selling t-shirts, shotgun
tickets and by participants
getting sponsorships
from businesses and
individuals. The monetary
response has always been
overwhelming, but this
year topped them all with
the River Rats making
history through their annual
fundraiser and raising a
substantial $52,000.00.
“River Rats” is a term
that has been used in
different contexts through
out the years. However,
in Georgia, “River Rats”
is the name of a group
of people who have been
rafting on the Ogeechee
River since the 1970s.
They are known for their
love of the river and their
commitment to preserving
it and keeping the habitat
safe and clean. They have
also been involved in
various environmental
projects over the years.
In January of each year,
a charity is unanimously
decided on to receive the
funds raised from the River
Rats Tour.
The River Rats would like
to give a BIG thankyou to
all their sponsors and look
forward to their support in
the future. If anyone would
like to participate in next
year’s tour, contact one of
the River Rats by reaching
out on their facebook
page. If approached by a
River Rat to be a sponsor,
remember all the money
raised goes to a worthwhile
cause. This is a great thing
folks and I know that you
will love to be a sponsor
next year as the River Rats
take another stroll down
the Ogeechee River.
See ya next week!
i Here’s the seoopi!!
C'vwm S&chtM
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