Thoughts and Opinions needed.

[Seanstone]

We've been scouting a good stretch of river all spring for flathead holes. We watched limblines and trotlines to see how far they make it from the Ohio river. Six miles from the river and 2 miles from the closest boat ramp we found a shallow riffle that stopped most boats....and therefore most limblines and trotlines.


After the riffle we head up past several modestly deep holes on bends, 10 to 12 feet and cross another shallow riffle. The immidiate water after the riffle is one of the deepest holes in the river, 28 plus feet deep with the head of the hole getting as shallow as 3 feet. In the center of the hole is a submerged tree, and a massive one at that. It sets in 12 at the bank and ends at the top of the tree in 20 feet.

Now heres the question....where should we fish it for flathead? We have fished it twice from the head of the hole, well almost. We anchored in 5 feet and casted into 10. We havent managed a decent one yet and were kind of new to rivers so we need a little help. The first night we heard a big one swirl on the bank, so we know they aremake in there. I was at the bait store the other day and i overheardd a couple guys talking about noodling, and they said that flats have been off the nest for a week and a half.

The hole itself is rather large, i estimated it to be around 8 to 10 acres from rifle to the head of the hole.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

[bassmassey]

I would anchor down on top of the hole just like it sounds like you did and spread your baits out as good as you can. Also if the hole is big enough you can try fishing the front of the hole, then pull anchor and re-anchor right at about where your furthest cast was down river to thouroghly cover the hole......

[Catfishrollo]

Great points Massey. I would try the same. Also, make sure this time of year you don't overlook the riffle areas . Water is down, water temps are up. Some of our best summer spots to target river flatheads have been closer to the riffles than the holes. Esp. Later in the night towards morning when water temps. are cooler. Seems we have had good luck with active fish moving up shallow to feed more towards morning than early evening.... rollo

[Seanstone]

Thanks guys. We'll try to move around more next time. I always heard that the active fish feed at the head of holes. Thats kinda why we set up where we did. As we moved down stream we noticed tons of drum sitting in the riffle areas. I actually picked one up with my hand, it didnt care a bit.

We'll probably give it a shot this weekend, and try to stay away from the lakes. Its always pure madness on the fourth of july weekend.