|
Post by katfish on Aug 23, 2013 7:40:23 GMT -5
Congratulations on the big flatheads. We have also been struggling in search of big fish. I keep waiting for the predators to thin the shad population to a point where flathead have to hunt but it is so slow that Chad calls the lakes the dead sea.
|
|
|
Post by katfish on Jul 26, 2013 8:22:42 GMT -5
Hook placement is dictated by a number of factors.
If you are fishing a bait under a bobber, you want the bait hooked on the dorsal fin in the center. The balance will enable the bait to swim upright with the least effort and threfore last longer.
When fishing in surrent you would want the bait hooked in the mouth. This will enable the bait to stay facing into current and live longer.
I almost always hook suckers in the bony part of the head. The rest of a sucker is soft and they will be torn off hooks before the fisherman can get a hook into a flathead.
If bottoms have some vegetation, I may hook baits on bottom below the anal fin. This causes them to swim up off the bottom as they struggle and make them more visible.
Normally I hook baits just behind the dorsal fin and use the cartilage of the fin to help hold them on a hook. On baits I cast I will hook them just a bit deeper to make sure I don't cast them off.
I guess you should just assess your situation and decide which hook placement is best for what you want from the bait.
|
|
|
Post by katfish on Jul 26, 2013 8:11:14 GMT -5
The percentage of females does seem to be up for us also. This may be due to a number of factors. My best theory is that dominant (larger) males often spawn several nests of eggs each year and become so thin they cannot recover their fat before winter and then die.
This would cause the ratio to be unbalanced and females would be larger and dominate areas they normally do not reside.
Another idea is that increased popularity of noodling from TV shows has decreased the number of dominant males. Although it is illegal in Ohio, I still see signs of it in areas I fish.
I am not surprised at the number of females at this time of year because we normally catch several females that hang around spawning structure after being run off the eggs by males.
|
|
|
Post by katfish on Jul 24, 2013 8:12:37 GMT -5
This female was in exceptional shape for just finishing the spawn. A tail nip and bruise either from foreplay or being run off the nest after laying eggs. The "experts" often say flathead don't bite during spawn and flathead don't bite during a full moon. This fish didn't get their memo
|
|
|
Post by katfish on Jul 22, 2013 11:27:46 GMT -5
I hope the drought is over
|
|
|
Post by katfish on Jul 20, 2013 14:12:34 GMT -5
All flathead fishermen experience the frustration at some time. I normally tell guys that trophy catfishing should only be attempted after you have masterred the other fish. That way you are at least able to get bait I look at things in a different light. When I catch bait it helps soothe the sting of nights of skunks waiting on big flathead. It helps my confidence that I can still catch fish even if they are not 50 pounds. If you want the ultimate pain try catching bait in October. We have found that flathead are biting yet we struggle to get enough baits up to fish each night.
|
|
|
Post by katfish on Jul 14, 2013 7:30:19 GMT -5
My 4th article with In Fisherman and this is the 1st flathead pic over 60 they used. I hope you all enjoy it and the info helps ya'll catch a biggun!
|
|
|
Post by katfish on Jun 19, 2013 9:05:59 GMT -5
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.
|
|
|
Post by katfish on Jun 18, 2013 10:45:42 GMT -5
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.
|
|
|
Bait
Jun 13, 2013 23:04:43 GMT -5
Post by katfish on Jun 13, 2013 23:04:43 GMT -5
Redcat
The Mooneyes here are similar to goldeyes. I had Kayla catching goldeyes in the lock at Selkirk on ultralights and she hooked a big sheephead (silver bass to Canadians) She fought it till the hook straightened and told me that was a big goldeye!
Kayla and Coyotes son each caught citation cats and silver bass that day.
|
|
|
Post by katfish on Jun 13, 2013 22:56:27 GMT -5
nice Flathead i caught a little one in Bridgeport it was at least 8 pounds man i need to catch bigger like my grandpa says that's y they call it fishing not catching. I really believe many fishermen underestimate flathead catfish. Their predatory nature makes them greatly distributed in waterways, Anyone who has attempted catching several 40 + pound flathead per season will tell you they are not an easy quarry I do not attribute them with superior brains but to survive to trophy size they must possess instincts to evade other predators. These habits carry into their adult life and make them pretty elusive. Just about the time you think you have them figured out, they change their patterns and you go for weeks without a run.
|
|
|
Post by katfish on Jun 12, 2013 18:09:46 GMT -5
Fished one of the spots Chad and I cleared off Friday. Got a 5 lb channel a 6 pound flathead and an 18.47 flathead. The digital scale gives a real precise weight All were released.
|
|
|
Post by katfish on Jun 11, 2013 11:12:05 GMT -5
Got a 41 last night. Collected more bait this morning but weather may prevent fishing tonight.
|
|
|
Post by katfish on Jun 11, 2013 11:07:50 GMT -5
Kip had bad Ju Ju on Mon Tue nite I got this one.
|
|
|
Post by katfish on May 24, 2013 8:55:51 GMT -5
Put a little oil on hinges of your mold from time to time untill they get broke in so the mold doesn't bind up on you. I keep a rag handy with a little oil on it to wipe my pull pins when they start sticking.
Wheel weights are not pure lead. They have alloys to make them stronger so they will stay in place on the rims. If the molten lead is not hot enough you will see voids in your sinkers.
Here is a link to my sinker making article that may help.making sinker
|
|