Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Tough catfish?

My first reaction is that they are males recovering from spawning. When on the nest, males don't eat. They lose some weight, mostly from fat and metabolizing their own flesh. When that happens, remaining flesh becomes tough and can be stringy. Plus, catfish reaching that 4 to 5 pound plateau are beginning to get a little age on them, and that can account for texture of their flesh to be tough, also. Between the two, that's probably what you have. If you haven't been feeding them, some timely fish food will help soften that tough meat. It may take another month, but feeding will definitely help.