AboutJack Gaither Expertise I have been bass, crappie, brim and catfishing for over 60 years. Most of my recent experience has been on the Apalachicola R. in Fl. panhandle, Dead Lakes and Lake Seminole. I can answer many questions on places to go and some ideas on tactics especially for largemouth bass in these waters. I can`t tell you what fish will bite but can give some lures and methods that have worked well for me over the last 33 years in this area. I am also well versed on boating safety and small boat handling.
Experience I am not a guide nor a writer or publisher of any magazine on fishing. All of my ideas would come from my experiences and those of fishing partners in local bass clubs in Panama City, Florida.
Organizations Basmasters. Past member (25 years) and instructor in boating and navigation classes in the United States Power Squadrons.
Publications ST. Andrew Bay Power Squadron local publication "Stuffing Box"
Education/Credentials United States Power Squadrons courses in Piloting and small boat handling, celestial navigation, trouble shooting on outboard engines and other non eletronic equipment in boats.
Question how bad is the poison in african barbels/catfish spines and how can it be treated? if you are stuck by the spines how long does it take to heal without treatment?
Answer Tinashec; I have looked on the web for poisonous catfish and find that most if not all fresh water catfish have some sort of poison produced at the base of the three spike fins. However, nothing that I found indicated more than some sickness and pain from some species. All the articles said that death was very rare from the stick of a catfish fin. However, people who have allergies to such things as bee or wasp stings should not handle any catfish without some sort of protection. The name "barbell" produced no response. I have been stuck by catfish here in the United States many times with no more than a little pain. I didn't find any reason to be concerned so long as I had had my tetanus shots and take care that the wound does not become infected.
This is no guarantee that the catfish that you are speaking of might not be more dangerous than most of the others. If I were stuck by one of these I would check with the poison control department of your government if you have a poison control department. If not I would check with the nearest university biological department and ask them if there was more danger than just as I have previously mentioned.
I am sorry I cannot give you a definitive answer. There are thousands of species of catfish around the world with the largest number being in Africa.
Thank you for calling on me to answer your question. I hope this is of some help but if I were stuck by a strange catfish I would seek professional help. You might be more successful than I was if you looked on the web for more information.
I am
Jack L. Gaither (JackfromSeminole)
Lake Seminole Georgia U.S.A.
