Are you guys getting ready!?

Interesting exchanges about channels vs flatheads vs stugeon.

I think we do have a few bodies of water in Illinois with sturgeon still around, but nothing like up in folks in the Northwoods have access to.

I enjoy fishing for channel cats when there isn’t a targeteable flathead population. But, I’d much rather target flatheads and don’t mind the incidental channel cat here or there. Sometimes, that’s a good indication of when to move!

As far as fighting channel cats versus flatheads, I’ll kind of agree with MJ and Brian…I’ve mistaken a giant (8# or more) channel cat for a flathead a time or two, but even those smaller flatheads can sure doggedly hold to the bottom with sheer determination and brute force.

Guess that’s really the attraction. No fancy jumping, splashing or any of that stuff. More like hand-to-hand combat..power against power..never say die…

how long until the water temps hit 50 degrees?!?

I also like incidental channel cats on big flathead baits. Yields fish like this:

I see people talking about fishing for cats with 12 to 20 pound line. I must be going over board cause I try and get at least 30. If i could get it I would go with heavier! Lol

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I see people talking about fishing for cats with 12 to 20 pound line. I must be going over board cause I try and get at least 30. If i could get it I would go with heavier! Lol

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Open water? I use 60# PowerPro for channels and 80# PowerPro for flatheads. That’s pretty standard for all the cat guys on here…except Ryan (RapfWiggum). He’s always got to go against the grain. He uses heavy mono 20-30# I believe.

What Pug said.

To me, it really depends where your fishing and for what.

The area I fish for flats normally has wood all over the place. Not just in the snags. Using 80 pound Tug O War really makes sense in these conditions because there’s a very good chance of hooking into a 50+ pound flat and having to keep it out of the wood or get it out of the wood. Mono would just stretch (which is good and bad)when pulling a fish tangled in trees. Less than 80 pound and the chances of it breaking increase.

For channels in less woody water (even flatheads) lighter test line is fine.

Bottom line on line (get it? ) is cats aren’t line shy so why go lighter when heavier will better insure the fish in your boat or on shore.

My 2 pennies worth.

I go with 20lb power pro because I fish with floats most of the time and I want to be able to throw them a country mile but they don’t go as far the heavier line you use.. There generally isn’t any wood for them to get into so I just need something that will cut through vegetation. If I were to use 30lb or heavier the fish would have no chance at all to get away and what fun is that? also when you have 6 to 9 bobbers out and one big fish takes a couple orbits around the boat which often happens. you might have a mudshark (knot too nasty to get out) that might cost you 6 new spools of line.

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mudshark (knot too nasty to get out)

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You river guys are purists. I used to hate channel cats too but I’ve converted. I used to fish the river almost exclusively for flatties. I’ve stuck a few big ones in my day. I spent many an hour without even a bite too. If you know what you are doing and use channel specific gear, I’d argue they are better fighters, and more predictable biters. The flatheads I’ve been fortunate enough to catch have been strong hitters and good battles but big channels see the boat and run like hell.

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Hey not all the river guys are purists! I shoot for channels out on the river… all the flatheads I get are ones hungry enough to go after cutbait o.O

I think the rush for flatties for people is chasing the fabled monsters, which I can understand… but to me..the moderate sized of either taste just as good!

As far as line goes, I’m hardly an expert but I went with Brian’s method of overkill due to the amount of snags I get in the river areas.. I’m not chasing monsters, so I was using 10lb braided, but after having to retie so often after snags, I refitted one pole with 30 and the big pole with 50lb braided… granted, I have crap gear compaired to the majority of people here, so my poles will break before that line, but I’ve been doing good clearing the bottom of the river of debris o.O

Nice post Josh,

I would like to at least try a flat sometime and wish I would eat a few channels once in a while. Heck, I’ve lower myself to eating walleyes that were given to me!

I like your thought on rods and line, what better reason to buy a new rod then having your old one break on you!

I have all ready been down the MN river checking on my fav spot. The creek is open and flowing river is open to the bank all nice and sandy. 30 or 40 foot hole right in front. With the most inportant part LOTS of fire wood! What should I do tonight?

Getting ready!!?? What’s your aversion to the cold Katman? Shovelnose and pesky channel cats free for the taking in all the walrus wintering holes down here in Ioway……. Worst winter i’ve seen for them. Got another shovelnose with an old rusty tag last weekend.

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I have all ready been down the MN river checking on my fav spot. The creek is open and flowing river is open to the bank all nice and sandy. 30 or 40 foot hole right in front. With the most inportant part LOTS of fire wood! What should I do tonight?

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Thinking about hitting some feeder streams in the Kato area this weekend to fill the bait tank. With the higher temps this week and lack of snow cover down there, the water should be kickin’!