WikiCatch
North African catfish

North African catfish

Clarias gariepinus

Family
Clariidae
Max Length
170 cm
Max Weight
60 kg
IUCN Status
LC
Water Type
freshwater
Fishing Spots
254

Overview

Clarias gariepinus or African sharptooth catfish is a species of catfish of the family Clariidae, the airbreathing catfishes.

Best Baits & Lures

Live Baits

  • Earthworms

    Very effective, especially after rain.

  • Chicken Liver

    Strong scent attracts catfish from a distance.

  • Small Fish

    Use local species, alive or cut.

  • Grasshoppers

    Good choice when fishing near vegetation.

  • Shrimp

    Fresh or frozen shrimp works well.

Artificial Lures

  • Rapala Original Floater 07Crankbait

    Classic lure, works well in shallow water.

    Buy
  • Mepps Aglia #3Spinner

    Silver or gold, effective in clear water.

    Buy
  • Zoom Trick WormSoft Plastic

    Texas or Carolina rigged, slow retrieve.

    Buy
  • Berkley PowerBait Power GrubSoft Plastic

    Scented grub attracts fish.

    Buy
  • Strike King KVD Sexy DawgTopwater

    Walk-the-dog action triggers strikes.

    Buy

Techniques

Fish near structures like submerged trees or rocky bottoms, as catfish often hide there waiting to ambush prey, and using a sliding sinker rig allows for a more natural presentation.

As an Amazon Associate, WikiCatch earns from qualifying purchases.

Where to Find North African catfish

Mpumalanga, South Africa31 spotsGauteng, South Africa21 spotsFree State, South Africa19 spotsKwaZulu-Natal, South Africa17 spotsNorth West, South Africa17 spotsWestern Cape, South Africa14 spotsSão Paulo, Brazil14 spotsLimpopo, South Africa13 spotsEastern Cape, South Africa13 spotsNorthern Cape, South Africa11 spots
📍 Find spots near me🗺️ Explore on the full map

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best bait for North African catfish?+

Popular baits for North African catfish include Earthworms, Chicken Liver, Small Fish, Grasshoppers, Shrimp. Tip: Fish near structures like submerged trees or rocky bottoms, as catfish often hide there waiting to ambush prey, and using a sliding sinker rig allows for a more natural presentation.

Where can I catch North African catfish?+

North African catfish can be found in many locations worldwide. Top regions include Mpumalanga, South Africa; Gauteng, South Africa; Free State, South Africa. WikiCatch lists 254 fishing spots where this species is found.

How big do North African catfish get?+

North African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) can reach up to 170.00000500000002 cm in length and 60 kg in weight. Their IUCN conservation status is LC.

Get WikiCatch on iPhone

360,000+ fishing spots, AI fish ID, weather & solunar — free.

Download on the App Store