been catching little flatheads

[bluedragon2k9]

Been catching little flatheads been using good size blue gills also.No matter what i cannot catch a good size flathead.Im starting to think i might need to finder something else to use as bait
But none the less the hunt continues.

[mmagis]

Different bait won't change anything. You probably need to find another location to fish.

[katfish]

What I have found so far is the smaller flathead are more active. Once the water warms up I think the larger ones will get active.

[rustyfish]

As far as location, once you guys start catching small ones or getting short runs from small fish do you stick it out or move to a new location. I just wonder if its a small fish location or if the larger fish will be moving though later (or a different time). I fish moving water upstream from structure and deep holes expecting the cats to move up stream at night to feed. I assume that big and small cats will hold on different structure, but in these spots up stream catching small ones wouldn't mean that a large cat is not just as likely to make his way though right?

[Smoothkip]

On the Muskingum if I start catching small flatheads I will pull Anchor and move. That's if I'm fishing structure. If I'm fishing a flat or sandbar I have caught both small and big fish. As you said a feeding spot is different than actual home structure. I like going to them though!

[Skyline1506]

yep agree with kip. atleast for the river if its a feeding location the big ones will run the little ones off at some point, but i would rather fish where the big fish are rather than waiting for them to find me

[rustyfish]

Thanks guys, I am fishing more cover now that I'm fishing from the kayak and I can jump from spot to spot.

I have always been a bank fishermen until now and liked my odds in the feeding areas a little better. I have better access to those spots, less snags, and exposure to more fish. But I am definitely enjoying the ability to hit many structure spots in one night out of the kayak. Hopefully my average goes up.

Sent from my MB886 using proboards

[katfish]

I caught a little one last afternoon on the ultalight while fishing for gills.
Maybe only 1 1/2 pounds but a surprise to say the least.

[Smoothkip]

Also fishing structure I do better early in the evening then as night falls I like to move to a cruising zone then back to structure for the morning bite.

[rustyfish]

I love those little flatties with all the black and the heavy marbling, tend to be pretty cool looking fish.