A nice Sharptooth Catfish caught on the Zambezi River in Zambia
Sharptooth Catfish
Clarias gariepinus
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Sharptooth Catfish Description
Sharptooth Catfish (known as Barbel some places) are a fascinating species native to sub-Saharan Africa. They are the second largest catfish species in Africa. They are found in both lakes and rivers, and are one of the hardiest fish in the world. They can breathe air directly and can live in almost any water conditions, including just wet mud for months if the body of water they live in dries up. They are a relatively slender catfish and resemble an eel with extremely long barbels. They have a varied diet that includes almost anything they can get in their mouths, both live and dead.
Sharptooth are the only catfish that are known to exhibit group feeding behavior. In some locations such as the Okavango Delta, groups of smaller individuals will form large schools and flush out smaller baitfish from their hiding places in aquatic vegetation. This is commonly known as the "Barbel Run" and when it happens it is a great time to fish for both these fish and other predatory fish such as Tigerfish that are attracted to feed on the baitfish getting chased from their hiding places.
Like most catfish, they mostly live on the bottom, but may suspend midwater and frequently come to the surface to gulp air. They can reach huge sizes of over 100 lbs, and sometimes even jump completely out of the water when hooked.
Sharptooth Catfish Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 6 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
Sharptooth Catfish put up a decent fight, bulldogging towards the bottom and occasionally even jumping clear out of the water. They often strike hard initially and then run towards the boat. They have a characteristic headshake that indicates you have hooked a catfish rather than the Tigerfish you might have been hoping for.
Sharptooth Catfish Tackle
If you are fishing near rocks or structure, you need some pretty heavy tackle for these guys so that you can keep them from breaking you off. I would recommend 50lb braid and a 50lb leader as a minimum, and bigger if you are targeting very large (50lbs and above) fish. These fish are often caught incidentally while fishing for Tigerfish, and Tigerfish tackle will handle the average size ones.
Clarias gariepinus
HOME
Other Species
Sharptooth Catfish Description
Sharptooth Catfish (known as Barbel some places) are a fascinating species native to sub-Saharan Africa. They are the second largest catfish species in Africa. They are found in both lakes and rivers, and are one of the hardiest fish in the world. They can breathe air directly and can live in almost any water conditions, including just wet mud for months if the body of water they live in dries up. They are a relatively slender catfish and resemble an eel with extremely long barbels. They have a varied diet that includes almost anything they can get in their mouths, both live and dead.
Sharptooth are the only catfish that are known to exhibit group feeding behavior. In some locations such as the Okavango Delta, groups of smaller individuals will form large schools and flush out smaller baitfish from their hiding places in aquatic vegetation. This is commonly known as the "Barbel Run" and when it happens it is a great time to fish for both these fish and other predatory fish such as Tigerfish that are attracted to feed on the baitfish getting chased from their hiding places.
Like most catfish, they mostly live on the bottom, but may suspend midwater and frequently come to the surface to gulp air. They can reach huge sizes of over 100 lbs, and sometimes even jump completely out of the water when hooked.
Sharptooth Catfish Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 6 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
Sharptooth Catfish put up a decent fight, bulldogging towards the bottom and occasionally even jumping clear out of the water. They often strike hard initially and then run towards the boat. They have a characteristic headshake that indicates you have hooked a catfish rather than the Tigerfish you might have been hoping for.
Sharptooth Catfish Tackle
If you are fishing near rocks or structure, you need some pretty heavy tackle for these guys so that you can keep them from breaking you off. I would recommend 50lb braid and a 50lb leader as a minimum, and bigger if you are targeting very large (50lbs and above) fish. These fish are often caught incidentally while fishing for Tigerfish, and Tigerfish tackle will handle the average size ones.
If you leave a Sharptooth on the deck, they will immediately head straight for the water and hop in if you let them.
Despite their name, their teeth are tiny
Sharptooth Catfish Techniques
Sharptooth Catfish are usually targeted with bait. Fishing near the bottom is usually most effective, although they will feed in all levels of the water column, especially at night. They are occasionally hooked incidentally on lures when fishing for Tigerfish.
However you choose to fish for Sharptooth, it pays to sit and watch for a bit to see if any surface to gulp air. Once they give away their presence, you can start to target them.
Sharptooth Catfish Baits
These guys are not picky and a wide variety of baits will work. Chunks of nearly any kind of fish caught in the same habitat are a good bet. A wide variety of raw meats would probably work in a pinch. They use their excellent sense of smell to find anything they can eat. Live bait works well but is not necessary.
Sharptooth Catfish are usually targeted with bait. Fishing near the bottom is usually most effective, although they will feed in all levels of the water column, especially at night. They are occasionally hooked incidentally on lures when fishing for Tigerfish.
However you choose to fish for Sharptooth, it pays to sit and watch for a bit to see if any surface to gulp air. Once they give away their presence, you can start to target them.
Sharptooth Catfish Baits
These guys are not picky and a wide variety of baits will work. Chunks of nearly any kind of fish caught in the same habitat are a good bet. A wide variety of raw meats would probably work in a pinch. They use their excellent sense of smell to find anything they can eat. Live bait works well but is not necessary.
Any small fish will do as bait for the unfussy Sharptooths
Sharptooth Catfish Lures
Although not frequently targeted on lures, they will definitely hit them and are sometimes caught incidentally while lure fishing for Tigerfish. A wide variety of lures will work; they key is getting them in front of the fish when they feel like being a little more aggressive and chasing something. I have seen them caught on spinners, spoons, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and plastics. However, lure fishing is not generally a very effective way to target them if you really want to catch them.
Where to get the big Sharptooth Catfish
Vundus are found in a wide variety of rivers and lakes throughout sub Saharan Africa, particularly in the Zambezi River and Okavango Delta.
Although not frequently targeted on lures, they will definitely hit them and are sometimes caught incidentally while lure fishing for Tigerfish. A wide variety of lures will work; they key is getting them in front of the fish when they feel like being a little more aggressive and chasing something. I have seen them caught on spinners, spoons, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and plastics. However, lure fishing is not generally a very effective way to target them if you really want to catch them.
Where to get the big Sharptooth Catfish
Vundus are found in a wide variety of rivers and lakes throughout sub Saharan Africa, particularly in the Zambezi River and Okavango Delta.
The author's friend Gary with a nice Sharptooth caught in the Malagarasi River, Tanzania
