They're not to bad, until you find one that is PISSED. In the several times I've gone hand fishing I've ran into 5 or 6 catfish that were not only pissed, but huge. One clamped down on my arm so hard I actually went to the hospital to make sure it didn't fracture my arm or wrist.
Well of course not for a living, I'm only 14. It's just a hobby of mine, my father, and his buddies. My older brother is too small to go fishing for the big ones.