Best time for monster cats

What do you guys think is the best time of the year to catch monster cats? I would have to say late April and May. Th water is warming up and the old girls get HUNGRY!!! I love it.

Gator Hunter

I have never caught a monster but I do get a good number of flatheads in June. I have not had much luck in april or may. Last year it was a little on the chilly side maybe. I catch some here and there in july, but not as much as in june. I dont know why that is, but I know last year they were spawning in july. That might affect it a little bit.

Hey BP, I don’t know this from practice, but according to the folks in the know. June is “the” month around here.

So make sure you pencil a night out in June!

The reason I say May is that it seems like I am always hooking heifers while throwing jigs for wallys.

Gator Hunter

I’ve caught a few nice flatheads early in the spring on small baits, but my bigger ones come on those hot summer nights when the water temp is well in the 70’s on very large baits.

I read someplace that when the lilac are blooming the flathead are biting. Personally – as soon as the ice is off, I’m on the water. I’m ready for some soft water fishing. I watched some TV fishing shows this weekend and they were catching some big blue cats down south in March and I am trying to figure out how to get a little of that action.

I used to chase Flats on the upper Rock, when I lived in Rockton. I always caught more and bigger fish in September. Although, back then I had a 12′ boat, so I didn’t venture out in the spring. I never topped 40 lbs, but came close quite a few times. I would catch little gills during the day, and use them at night. Man, that’s been 20 years ago already. My young bride thought I was crazy!

in my opinion…….. i get more action in June into early July …….but it seems like it could be hit or miss….one night could be crazy, the next dead. I think location may play a bigger role early in the year since they are spawning. But later in teh summer…..July thru Aug and Sept it seems more predictable. You can go out and it are almost gaurnteed fish any given night, but it may not be hot and heavy like a few months b4.