Peak of the spawn

[chuckd67]

Has anyone ever went fishing for Trophy Cats during the peak of the spawn just for the heck of it and ended up having a good trip.

[bobbybobber]

yes and dad caught what would of been a state record and i caught one in the 50's

Attachments:

[Smoothkip]

The way I look at it is, not every fish spawns at the same exact time and also the females will feed again after they lay there eggs. It's usually a little slower fishing during the spawn but there's still big fish to be caught. We have caught good flatheads during the spawn.

[ducky]

Gota fish when ya can, May not be as good but ive still caught quality Flathead during spawn, I also like to try to time the lakes I fish certain lakes tend to have a week or two difference than others when Flathead spawn, typically saltfork flatheads spawn first, then tappen then clenndening, and the rivers last, so you can time your bite accordingly.

[bassmassey]

I like to look for riprap/rock......especially on your medium to bigger rivers. If you can find a big chunk rock lined bank or even maybe rock outcropping along the bank I would give it a shot. The bigger the chunk rock the better I beleive....

[captainbrad]

May 11, 2012 9:36:43 GMT -5 Smoothkip said:

The way I look at it is, not every fish spawns at the same exact time and also the females will feed again after they lay there eggs. It's usually a little slower fishing during the spawn but there's still big fish to be caught. We have caught good flatheads during the spawn.

This is the ticket. I fish through spawn and find you just have to fish very aggressive to find that active fish.

[chuckd67]

Capt Brad, By agressive, Do you mean cover ground and present the bait with a jigging / bouncing bottom type approach.

[captainbrad]

Cover ground. I normally look for fast current where they feed between holes. No more than 20 min without a fish.

[chuckd67]

Thanks for the tips Capt Brad, Gotta get my Trolling Motor repaired ASAP.

[katfish]

Chuck

The best time to fish is any time you can. So many "experts" were claiming you couldn't catch flathead during spawn that I felt obliged to do it.



The best way to do anything is to learn as much about it as possible. By understanding flathead behavior through all cycles, including spawn, you can improve your catches.



You may have to change locations or tactics a bit during spawn but flathead still have to eat.

Actually fishing during spawn helps me determine the size of flathead in a waterway as well as how many are in an area. The males guarding eggs reveal themselves as they guard eggs and fry.

In many cases the males remain close to the spawn sites after spawning and locate in nearby deeper water. The females disperse widely but start feeding after the males drive them from nests. Most of the female flathead I catch are within 3 days after laying eggs before they go to secluded isolated spots.

I can catch flathead anytime the water temperature is over 55 degrees.

[pip]

Katfish you have the know how for sure. We've still been going even though I think they are on spawn here, haven't had much luck though.