Gafftopsail Catfish
Bagre marinus
How to tell it
Long flowing dorsal and pectoral filaments; venomous spines.
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | No harvest | Possession prohibited | Closed year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| Texas | 14 in total length | No bag limit | Open year-roundTPWD 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf), Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 12 lb 7.4 oz | 2015 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 9 lb | 2013 · Jupiter | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Louisiana | 11.06 lb | 1996 · Red Fish Bayou | LOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Mississippi | 9 lb 9.92 oz | 2000 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 13.33 lb | 1981 · Gulf of America | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
On the table
Better than its reputation; mind the spines.
In the app
Point the camera at a gafftopsail catfish and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about gafftopsail catfish
What is the size limit for gafftopsail catfish?
It depends on the state. Texas: 14 in total length.
Where is gafftopsail catfish harvest prohibited?
South Carolina. Release it there.
What is the record gafftopsail catfish?
13.33 lb in Texas (1981), Gulf of America. Other states’ records are in the table.