Saltwater species guide
Gafftopsail catfish
Bagre marinus
Identification
A marine catfish with a tall sail-like dorsal fin, long fin filaments and barbels around the mouth.
Habitat & biology
Occurs in bay and Gulf waters and often feeds near the bottom. Males carry fertilized eggs and young in the mouth. Dorsal and pectoral spines can cause injury.
TPWD species reference ↗Bay references & eating guidance
These waters have documented catches. That does not make each one a regular target fishery.
Galveston Bay
Gafftopsail catfish
Bagre marinus14-inch minimum; no maximum listed · No limit daily
Other catch · identification→
East Matagorda Bay
Gafftopsail catfish
Bagre marinus14-inch minimum; no maximum listed · No limit daily
Other catch · identification→
Matagorda Bay
Gafftopsail catfish
Bagre marinus14-inch minimum; no maximum listed · No limit daily
Other catch · identification→
Aransas Bay
Gafftopsail catfish
Bagre marinus14-inch minimum; no maximum listed · No limit daily
Other catch · identification→
Copano Bay
Gafftopsail catfish
Bagre marinus14-inch minimum; no maximum listed · No limit daily
Other catch · identification→
Corpus Christi Bay
Gafftopsail catfish
Bagre marinus14-inch minimum; no maximum listed · No limit daily
Other catch · identification→
Baffin Bay
Gafftopsail catfish
Bagre marinus14-inch minimum; no maximum listed · No limit daily
Other catch · identification→