Freshwater · May-September; night fishing at deep pools best

Longbarbel Whiskered Catfish

Hemibagrus macropterus

The big long-barbelled bagrid — 빠가사리 — of Korea's deep river pools, and the same fish in China's Yangtze system: a genuinely shared species of the two countries. Nocturnal and bottom-hunting; summer nights with fish pieces set in deep pools are the classic method.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Longbarbel Whiskered Catfish — AI-generated image — AI-generated image — no verified freely-licensed photo of this species was available

Identifying features

Very long maxillary barbels reaching past the pectoral fins
Large, tall adipose fin and deeply forked tail fin
Grey-brown to dark scaleless skin
Large terminal mouth of a bottom predator
Much larger and more streamlined than Korea's small torrent catfishes

Habits

Strongly nocturnal — feeds only after dark
Solitary or in small groups in deep pools
Forages on shrimp, fish and snails on the bottom
Almost fully inactive in winter
Long barbels taste the water for food in darkness

Distribution

Regional coverage expanding

Where to find them

Han River deep pools at Yeoju
Geum River reaches at Buyeo
Lower Nakdong pools at Hapcheon

Where they live

Deep pools and slow reaches of the Han, Geum and lower NakdongRock-sheltered channel edges on outside bendsLarge rivers of Korea and of China's Yangtze system — a shared two-country species

How to catch them

Night fishing at deep river pools River

Rig: Heavy bottom rig with fish pieces set in deep pools on outside river bends, after dark

Bait/lure: Fish pieces or whole shrimp

Key tip: Fish after full dark; big 빠가사리 patrol pool edges slowly — leave the bait motionless, do not work it.

Bottom fishing at rock channels River

Rig: Medium-heavy rig with worm or liver placed at the edge of deep rock channels at night

Bait/lure: Earthworm or chicken liver

Key tip: Barbels find bait by chemoreception — strongly scented baits work best.

Best baits & lures

EarthwormShrimp and fish piecesChicken liver

Techniques for Longbarbel Whiskered Catfish →

Baseline setup

Rod: Medium 8 ft river rod
Line: 10-14 lb monofilament
Terminal: Hooks size 2-4, heavy sinkers for deep water

Recommended gear for this species

Rod · Best value

8' medium-heavy catfish rod

≈ US$80-130

Long enough to lob heavy bait rigs, strong enough to move a flathead off the bottom.

Reel · Budget

Baitcasting or 4000-6000 spinning reel

≈ US$60-100

Line capacity and drag for long runs — catfish and carp both make them.

Terminal · Budget

Circle hooks, sliding sinkers and cut-bait rigs

≈ US$15-25

A slip-sinker rig with a circle hook is the proven bottom setup for cats and carp alike.

Picks are never paid placements. Prices are guides; price links are coming soon and none is an affiliate link yet.

Typical size

Common 12-18 in (30-45 cm); large fish about 24 in (60 cm)

On the table

Good eating in maeuntang (spicy fish stew); spines sharp and serrated.

Similar species

Yellow CatfishYellow catfish is far smaller and paler with short barbels; 빠가사리 is the big, long-barbelled Hemibagrus of deep river pools

Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →

Plan a trip for Longbarbel Whiskered Catfish

Build today's plan

⚠ Heads-up: Longbarbel Whiskered Catfish doesn't occur around Vancouver, BC (or is very rare there), so it's not a sensible local target. Your plan stays in Vancouver, BC and is built around the fish that actually live there.