A Vundu Catfish caught on the Malagarasi River in Tanzania on a Chatterbait
Vundu Catfish
Heterobranchus longifilis
HOME
Other Species
Vundu Catfish Description
Vundus are the largest catfish species in Africa and are a great sportfish. They are found in sub-Saharan rivers and lakes as well as in the Nile. They are a relatively slender catfish with extremely long barbels. They have a varied diet that includes almost anything they can get in their mouths, both live and dead.
Vundus are a very hardy fish and can survive outside of water for a long time due to their ability to breathe air. They are most active at night, but very catchable during the day.
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, but specimens that large often break you off in rocks or other structure.
Vundus are good eating although their numbers have declined in most areas and so release is a good option.
Vundu Catfish Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 7 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
Vundus are terrific fighters. They go on fast runs and head for structure to break you off if given the chance. The big ones are a real challenge to land even on heavy tackle if there are a lot of rocks around. A worthy adversary.
Vundu 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.
Vundu Catfish Techniques
Vundu Catfish are usually targeted with bait. Casting baits into deep pools in rivers and letting them sit or drifting baits without a weight through the same areas are both effective methods of targeting Vundus. They can also be effectively targeted with lures. With some luck, they can even be caught on fly, especially during low water periods when they are trapped in pools.
However you choose to fish for Vundus, 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.
Heterobranchus longifilis
HOME
Other Species
Vundu Catfish Description
Vundus are the largest catfish species in Africa and are a great sportfish. They are found in sub-Saharan rivers and lakes as well as in the Nile. They are a relatively slender catfish with extremely long barbels. They have a varied diet that includes almost anything they can get in their mouths, both live and dead.
Vundus are a very hardy fish and can survive outside of water for a long time due to their ability to breathe air. They are most active at night, but very catchable during the day.
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, but specimens that large often break you off in rocks or other structure.
Vundus are good eating although their numbers have declined in most areas and so release is a good option.
Vundu Catfish Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 7 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
Vundus are terrific fighters. They go on fast runs and head for structure to break you off if given the chance. The big ones are a real challenge to land even on heavy tackle if there are a lot of rocks around. A worthy adversary.
Vundu 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.
Vundu Catfish Techniques
Vundu Catfish are usually targeted with bait. Casting baits into deep pools in rivers and letting them sit or drifting baits without a weight through the same areas are both effective methods of targeting Vundus. They can also be effectively targeted with lures. With some luck, they can even be caught on fly, especially during low water periods when they are trapped in pools.
However you choose to fish for Vundus, 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.
Vundu 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.
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.
Vundu 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 likely work; they key is getting them in front of the Vundu. I caught one of the fish pictured above on a Mepps Syclops spoon. The bigger one at the top was caught on a Chatterbait.
Where to get the big Vundu Catfish
Vundus are found in a wide variety of rivers and lakes throughout sub Saharan Africa.
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 likely work; they key is getting them in front of the Vundu. I caught one of the fish pictured above on a Mepps Syclops spoon. The bigger one at the top was caught on a Chatterbait.
Where to get the big Vundu Catfish
Vundus are found in a wide variety of rivers and lakes throughout sub Saharan Africa.
A Vundu swimming off after release
