Bayad Fishing

The second large catfish of the Nile system; unlike the karmout it prefers flowing water over clean sand and stone and eats mainly fish. Around Luxor it holds in the current shadow of bridge piers, groynes and canal mouths. A live small tilapia or a fresh fish strip is the best bait, pinned on the bottom with a heavy running lead. It comes out at night and before dawn. The dorsal and pectoral spines cut, so use long pliers rather than fingers to unhook it.

Bagrus bajad

Bayad (Bagrus bajad)
Photo: Boulenger, George Albert; Loat, L. · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Season calendar

Jan
Feb
MarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNov
Dec

Active periodSpawning period — release what you catch

Season
March–November
Water temperature
20–31 °C
Spawning
May–July
Behaviour
Nocturnal predator

Techniques

  • Night bottom fishing
  • live bait

Frequently asked

When is the best time to catch bayad?
The productive window for bayad runs March–November. May–July is the spawning period; releasing your catch during these months is strongly advised.
What water temperature does bayad feed in?
Bayad is most active between 20 and 31 °C. Outside that band its feeding rate drops off.
How do you fish for bayad?
Common methods: Night bottom fishing, live bait.

Species that fish under similar conditions

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