Gafftopstail Sea Catfish Bagre marinus Size: up to 42" (15 lbs.) , averages around 16" (2 lbs.) Range:   Mid-Atlantic to S. America including the entire Gulf of Mexico Habitat: Inshore to 120 feet of water, especially around soft bottoms including mud and sand, and in the surf. Notes: Like other members of the Ariidae family, these catfish incubate the eggs and young inside their mouths.  They occur largely in water 10 feet to 60 feet in depth in open water, surf, bays, and over mud and sand flats in the summer.  They feed on shrimp, clams, squid, and minnows, preferring live prey.  They will readily take a variety of lures including jigs or spoons, and prefer to feed at night, though will feed during daylight.  To catch these fish, simply cast a live minnow (pinfish, blue runner, herring) on a egg-weight rig or bottom finder rig into the surf or bay at night.  They are excellent fish to eat, and have a very light tasting flesh. The spines on the side, dorsal, and ventral fins are very sharp and slightly venomous.  The mouth has the shape of an inverted "V" when examined from front to back.