Just looking for some tips on what to look for when targeting flatheads. I plan on giving them a shot next weekend on p4 i’m not looking to move in on anybody’s honey hole. Would just like a few tips as this will be my “maiden voyage” if you will. LOL 
I’ll use anywhere from a 4/0-10/0 gamiktisu (sp?) jhook depending on bait size 
PM sent.
Awesome thanks guys now hopefully the fish will cooperate. I’ve “caught” them in the dead of winter walleye fishing and as lethargic as they were and still put up that kinda fight i can’t wait to stick one when I’m actually trying to catch one and it has some fire under its belly 
Quote:
I’ll use anywhere from a 4/0-10/0 gamiktisu (sp?) jhook depending on bait size
Apparently I can’t read today?? I thought you said what hook for. Lol. Do whatever Brian tells you he knows a thing or two about flats
Quote:
Quote:
I’ll use anywhere from a 4/0-10/0 gamiktisu (sp?) jhook depending on bait size
Apparently I can’t read today?? I thought you said what hook for. Lol. Do whatever Brian tells you he knows a thing or two about flats
I was wondering about your reply.
PM Sent!
let me know if you want GPS coordinates for BK’s spots… 
Schmuck. 
This might be a good thread to post some basic P4 ‘big water’ tips. Some of us are used to the smaller rivers like the Minnesota, but sometimes make trips to P4.. 
Quote:
This might be a good thread to post some basic P4 ‘big water’ tips. Some of us are used to the smaller rivers like the Minnesota, but sometimes make trips to P4..
X2
Quote:
Schmuck.
where is the emoticon for hugs and kisses?
nevermind, i found it…
Here you go!
Suckers generally work better this temperature of year. Another 5 degrees and bullies will take over.
Bait can be acquired at both Four Seasons and Everts Resort.
Where to go?
I would still hang around the mouths of tributaries. Since they’re slowly making there way out of wintering holes, these locations will have less and less activity. Structure near wintering holes are a good bet.
These brutes are waking up and as the temps start hitting that 65 degrees will be on the prowl more and more. Spreading out to become more and more solitary as the move towards pre spawn.
Start fishing your wood snags and wing dams. You won’t know if they are there unless you have a bait there…at least for a while!
If I had a choice, I would be using the smaller baits as in 4 to 6 inch suckers and bullies. When a sucker dies, don’t be afraid to cut it in half, scuff up the scales and wing it out there.
There, now I ‘spose I should take my own advice and hit the river…where did I put my SnoSuit?
PS This time of year I rather fish from 12-4 pm with Secret 7 or Sudden Impact Fiber Bait for channels. Lots of action and it’s the warmest part of the day.
<insert light weight Graemlin>
Quote:
PS This time of year I rather fish from 12-4 pm with Secret 7 or Sudden Impact Fiber Bait for channels. Lots of action and it’s the warmest part of the day.
<insert light weight Graemlin>
I have found live bait to outperform everything for channels right now in my neck of the woods. a 4/0 loaded up with 4-5 large live fat heads, all hooked under the dorsal.
Most walleye guys say that.
Good info Phigs!
Thanks BK! We have not focused on flatheads much when staying at Everts, but we have vowed to get in some night fishing this year. 
Quote:
Thanks BK! We have not focused on flatheads much when staying at Everts, but we have vowed to get in some night fishing this year.
just from walleye fishing, i have found numerous spots i want to try for flats. hopefully this summer i can make my way down there and give it a try.
Got any coordinates? 
We have found some good looking flat spots while fishing channel cats out of Evert’s in years past. Last year the water was so high in June it was tough though.
Quote:
Here you go!
Suckers generally work better this temperature of year. Another 5 degrees and bullies will take over.
Brian…Do you use shad for bait? Don’t know the rules in Minn…maybe you can’t. Just wondering if you do and if so, when do you start? Are the suckers and bullies better than shad? I have a lot here and use them a lot. I also use sunnies and chubs pretty regularly. Going to try the bullies this year…shhh…I found a spot near by that has some.
L8R…Ken
Quote:
Do you use shad for bait?
Man would I love too!
Not only can we not use a cast net to catch them, even if we did, we can’t catch a bait fish in the ‘sippi (it’s infested), put it on our hook and fish with it legally.
I’ve been trying to import shad from a state down south, and can’t get a permit to do it…even if they are dead and frozen. So crossing the state line would not be advisable.
Nope, no sunfish either. However since you’re from IA, I would suggest getting a WI Non Resident license. If you would happen to catch sunfish from another (uninfested) body of water, one could transport them…dead to the river and use them for bait.
Actually with a WI license, I THINK you could hook and line bait in the ‘sippi.
I follow the MN rules, because it’s too much hassle to try and remember both state laws and when I should be compiling to one or the other.
I’ve had close friends from out of state tell me bluegills work great.
My experience tells me early and late is a good time for live suckers. Pre spawn and spawn it’s bullies all the way…unless I could use gills.
Just another note on shad. Chris Winchester wrote an article some years ago about fishing the first “hole” below tributaries in early spring. The thought behind it was the trib was being flushed of all the dead shad and they would collect in the first hole down stream.
It’s a bite late for that this year, but he knows what he’s talking about!
Brian is it legal to catch a non game fish excluding carp out of a body of water and cut it up for bait? I have always thought you could but this goofy state likes to change laws about 5 times a day and then they like to give the most vague description of most of them that they can. Notice i haven’t read my regs for 2012 yet lol sounds like a good way to pass the time tomorrow with our lovely weather forcast
Long answer to that question.
Yes you can if you’re on a body of water that is NON-infested.
No if your on an infested body of water…like the St Croix, Mississippi or Red River of the North to name a few.
If the game and fish bill past today, the Minnesota Catfish and Sturgeon Alliance and other interested cat fishermen made a case to the DNR last January to have this changed.
If you care to see the presentation, here’s the link to the video.
well what sense does that make??? so because the body of water is infested you can’t catch a fish out of that body of water then cut it up and use it in that same body of water?? And most of the people that make these laws have 4 or more years of college?
The grass is always greener… We can use bluegills in IL but many of us rather use bullheads, green sunfish, carp, etc. Bluegill, though readily accesible, do not tend to be as hardy.
No kidding Moose. You are the first person I’ve ever talked with that would say bullies are better.
Not doubting you and all.
Got my reels today!!!!!!!!! 2 okuma avengers with the bait feeder option. The only size that cabelas had on hand was the 65’s man they are huge i wanted the 50’s but maybe the larger reel will be an advantage idk. I loaded them up with some 80# pp. Next up i gotta get my poles. Does anybody know if gander or fleet farm carries 4 oz sinkers?? cabelas had them but i wasn’t about to pay 12 bucks for sinkers. Also the biggest hooks i could find were 8/0 will that be big enough?
Quote:
Got my reels today!!!!!!!!! 2 okuma avengers with the bait feeder option. The only size that cabelas had on hand was the 65’s man they are huge i wanted the 50’s but maybe the larger reel will be an advantage idk. I loaded them up with some 80# pp. Next up i gotta get my poles. Does anybody know if gander or fleet farm carries 4 oz sinkers?? cabelas had them but i wasn’t about to pay 12 bucks for sinkers. Also the biggest hooks i could find were 8/0 will that be big enough?
For sinkers in bulk, look online. In fact, look no further than the site sponsor on this page. CheapSinkers.com has them cheaper than you will find them in any bait shop, even with shipping. I have seen little bait shops ask almost a buck apiece for 3oz no rolls.
Quote:
No kidding Moose. You are the first person I’ve ever talked with that would say bullies are better.
Not doubting you and all.
There are times I wish I could find anything but bluegills but without a honeyhole, impossible to find in quantity. It is easier to hook a bullhead in the lips and therefore much harder to drown them, especially when fishing in a current seam or something where the current can spin them around. Greenies are really nice bait but the only ones I’ve ever seen for same were maybe 3″ long and $1. Perfect for bass bait or whatever. Not really what we’re after though. The downside of my regulations is that there is no really good bait for sale. It’s usually horny headed chubs, maybe shiners or if you go to one place maybe a few suckers.
So we end up having to catch bait. On the other hand, I can’t imagine what you guys spend on bait fish?? It sure would be convenient to just go buy them though.
Quote:
The grass is always greener… We can use bluegills in IL but many of us rather use bullheads, green sunfish, carp, etc. Bluegill, though readily accesible, do not tend to be as hardy.
First off, thanks Brian for your response. As I mentioned, I do not know the Minn. regulations. It’s too bad you can’t use gills, sunnies or shad. They are abundant and usually work really well.
I have always had much better luck with greenies that gills. Gills are good, but I think the greenies are a softer fish and the flatheads like them better. Fishing greenies and gills side by dise, the greenies always work better. Never tried Bullheads yet…YET! But I will this year. I finally found a small lake that has some.
Yeah, Minnesota sounds a little twisted with some of their laws. I really don’t see ANY problem using anything cut up for bait. Or even dead for that matter. Not like they are going to breed again. Well, maybe some day more logical heads with prevail. Somebody mentioned how educated these law makers are…but I have found that all the education in the world will not teach common sense…and that sounds like something that might be lacking.
Good luck, it’s getting really close to flattie time.
L8R…Ken
Quote:
Got my reels today!!!!!!!!! 2 okuma avengers with the bait feeder option. The only size that cabelas had on hand was the 65’s man they are huge i wanted the 50’s but maybe the larger reel will be an advantage idk. I loaded them up with some 80# pp. Next up i gotta get my poles. Does anybody know if gander or fleet farm carries 4 oz sinkers?? cabelas had them but i wasn’t about to pay 12 bucks for sinkers. Also the biggest hooks i could find were 8/0 will that be big enough?
Order these rods to save some bucks – they’re light and strong: American Spirit Spinning
Catfish connection is fast, too. I love these rods.
While you’re there, order some hooks – great selection. These are my favorites: Eagle Claw 7/0 Kahles
I love the Avenger 65s – it’s the perfect size for flathead fishing. A big spool means smoother drag, but going up to the next size is too far – they’re not strong enough for the size.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
