There is a large assortment of different species of catfish. Catfish can be found all over the world except for Antarctica due to their lack of freshwater. Saltwater can also be home to certain catfish species. Most catfish are small in size, about ten to fifteen pounds, and are easily manageable. But some catfish can grow to be very large and old, giving anglers a tough fight.

The barbells are the more dominate feature on the catfish. The "whiskers" located on the catfish near the mouth referred to as barbells. In order for catfish to know what surrounds them, they use their barbells just like a cat’s whiskers. Catfish are given an advantage with their barbells because they taste buds on each of them.

Located on their dorsal and pectoral fins is also a hallow leading ray. This leading ray is very strong, and the catfish can use it to excrete a potent protein when it becomes frightened or annoyed. This protein may have a bite to it. Some catfish have protein potent enough to cause an injury to humans. Medical attention can be called for when overcoming a sting from one of these species. The Electric Catfish, however, do not have this hollow leading ray; therefore they cannot perform protein attacks. Electric Catfish have their own offensive attack; they are capable of sending out violent electric shocks of 350 volts.

Noodling consists with more physical action than fishing with a rod and reel, so if you’re up for it, that’s your best bet. This technique originated from the Native American and later became a sport. The first step to Noodling is discovering areas where catfish stay, like submerged logs and rocks. Shallow waters are the more practical areas to preform noodling. Noodling can be a dangerous sport so it's best to have others with you for help and spotting fish.

Once a prospective catfish hiding spot is located, a stick is inserted into the hole to make sure that the inhabitant is a catfish, and not a snake or a turtle. The noodler will then put a hand inside the hole – essentially, using their own hand as bait. Being threatened, the catfish will attack and bite the hand. When it bites down on your hand, you can pull the fish out. Once the noodler gets the fish out of the water, the spotters immediately remove the fish from the noodler’s hand and throw it into an accompanying boat. In an instance that the fish is too heavy or starts to pull the noodler under water, it is the spotters’ duty to help the noodler. In some cases the catfish grow to be very large and strong, making it possible for them to drown humans; for some this is a fun adrenaline rush.