Gafftopsail Catfish
Barge marinus
- 2lakes
- 101logged catches
- 4.38 kg heaviest logged
Gafftopsail Catfish (Bagre marinus) is a marine catfish inhabiting the waters of the western central Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. These fish are usually found in the coastal areas, such as brackish deltas of the Everglades. Gafftopsail Catfish get their name for the spiny and venomous dorsal fin that rises from their back like a sail. Typically growing to about 43 cm in length, these fish usually weigh around 0.5 to 2 kg, but with some luck it is possible to land a trophy of up to 4.5 kg. Unlike most bottom feeding Catfish, the Gafftopsail Catfish feeds throughout the water column, eating crustaceans like crabs, shrimp, and prawns, as well as worms, other invertebrates, and other fish.
What actually catches it ranked by real logged catches
Baits
Shrimp 
Large Cutbait 
Crawfish 
Crawfish Cut 
Medium Cutbait 
Crab Lures
Buzzbait 28 g, #5/0 Best setups by lake 2 lakes with data
Everglades — 66 catches , best 4.35 kg
- Crawfish Hook #4/0 Feeder bottom Shore 6×
- Shrimp Hook #4/0 Feeder bottom Shore 5×
- Shrimp Hook #4/0 Float 100 m 4×
- Shrimp Hook #4/0 Feeder bottom 4×
Blue Crab Island — 35 catches , best 4.38 kg
- Crawfish Cut Hook #4/0 Feeder bottom 4×
- Crab Hook #6/0 Feeder bottom 2×
- Large Cutbait Hook #6/0 Feeder bottom 2×
- Large Cutbait Hook #6/0 Feeder bottom Shore 2×
How to catch
How to catch a unique Gafftopsail Catfish? You can catch this fish either with bait or lures.
If you prefer to use natural baits, then the best way to catch Gafftopsail Catfish would be to use Shrimp on a size #4/0 hook.
If you are more into artificial lures, you should go for some Buzzbaits. The most successful lure is Acid Green and Orange Buzzbait 28 g, #5/0.
Where to find it
Also listed as effective documented, but not seen in the catch log
Small Cutbait Data compiled from fp-collective and the Fishing Planet Wiki . Snapshot taken 2026-08-20. Game content and imagery © Fishing Planet LLC.