Blue Catfish - Commercial Hook and Line - Maryland Department of Natural Resources

A video produced by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources' Office of Communications designed to demonstrate various aspects of commercial hook and line fishing for invasive blue catfish.

The video features David "Cornflower" Confair, a long-time eastern shore waterman.

Many of the approaches showcased in this video can also be utilized for the recreational pursuit of the species, though only commercial licensees may use a gill net to catch bait or sell harvested fish.

Blue Catfish are an invasive species and as such there are no restrictions as to size or number kept, nor the season in which they are targeted.

Filmed and edited by Stephen J Badger.

Soundtrack: Awareness - Associated Production Music, Inc. (APM)

[hulkhuggett]

Man. Awesome video. I quit subbing to channels. Got too many I don't watch. BUT, I subbed to this one. Excellent content. I hope it's all like this.

[LTS]

... Watching this again.
Where can blue cats be taken in Harford County to be sold?
Can they be sold directly to seafood retailers or restaurants?
In 2025, what is the typical price per pound?
Thank you.

[neilbergsmansvideos]

The blue catfish sandwich at Eastport Kitchen is the best lunch in Annapolis.

[paulbest]

Anyone know where to buy Blue Catfish on the western shore, preferably near Price George's county?

[LTS]

... Very well shot, narrated and edited video. My hats off to the ones involved. Also, of course, Thanks David!
.

[verdatum]

Man, that's some hard work. I feel so lazy right now. This was shot just beautifully, btw.

[ladykws]

Learned so much! Eat dem Blue Cats! Git 'em!

[shoultzm]

Can a recreational fisherman use a gillnet to catch bait as was done in this video?

[andrewingham]

How can I get a license to sell blue catfish. I am interested in selling them.

[EasternAdventures]

Where is the the place he takes the catfish too at the end of the video?

[EddyGrdo]

You grind up the heads??? That is the best part of the bait to use!!

[rayk.]

Dont see many guys using spinning gear for large cats. ^5

[CattermanAdventures]

There are plenty of rivers around the country which would love to have the catfish fishery which is flourishing in the DMV area. I wish you would promote keeping eater size fish below 8lbs, while promoting a C&R for the larger fish. Especially since most of your fisheries produce fish laden in PCBs and heavy metals (which is not fair to consumers)

We all know how invasives first explode, but then settle in. Plus, it's not like blue catfish aren't native to our countries watersheds. They just haven't been this far north yet.

Hope to see a change in mindset as labeling these fish as crab and menhaden killers is complete BS! It is man made overharvesting and pollution which has destroyed the crab population the most, as well as the bunker numbers (oh hi Omega)

[michaelhelton]

As some states try to eliminate bluecats others are trying to produce trophy fishing waters for them. Invasive because all the bass anglers complain about them....