With Flatheads- its the challenge, the hunt, the anticipation, the excitement when you hear that “Thump”.
With Sturgeon- its just crawler on the bottom, really not much skill involved. The fight is totally fun but beyond that, there really isn’t much challenge. Both the Rainy & the Croix have well known community areas. Toss anchor, you’ll catch one (or 30).
I think the sturgeon fight much better for their weight. Flatheads do fight better than just about everything else once they get over 20#.. but they still dont fight as hard as the sturgeon. The amount of current will greatly dictate the fight out of either of these fish also.
Get away from those community holes hanson and lets see how easy it is 
90% of sturgeon fishing is usually refined to *community areas* that others have shown where they are, and relatively easy to catch some fish… Flathead fishing on the other hand isnt much different in the waters most of us are fishing.. the Minnesota river is a prime example. A bunch of fishermen fishing the exact same seres of spots in any given area.. all of 2007 we were seeing the same fish being held by a different angler on a weekly basis… How much challenge, or difference is their in that than sturgeon fishing in well known areas?
*stands up and waves* 
Hi I’m DTro and like to fish for big fish.
If that big fish lives in secluded areas with little boat traffic, where you can watch wildlife, listen to the crickets or frogs and gaze at the stars, then that’s where I’ll be first choice, everytime.
I don’t care how pretty, or cool that fish is. If it’s big and battle’s me physically and mentally, then that’s all I can ask for.
I guess I need to catch a sturgeon in the 50-60″+ range. So far the ones in the 40’s haven’t been to impressive. 
They are still fun though. 
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*stands up and waves*
Hi I’m DTro and like to fish for big fish.
If that big fish lives in secluded areas with little boat traffic, where you can watch wildlife, listen to the crickets or frogs and gaze at the stars, then that’s where I’ll be first choice, everytime.
I don’t care how pretty, or cool that fish is. If it’s big and battle’s me physically and mentally, then that’s all I can ask for.
Is this the start of a BFA (Big Fish Anonymous) cause if it is, sign me up 
And you can’t beat flatties on the Mississippi. The most people I have seen in a night of fishing is 2 boats, and they always leave before midnight. I have 150 miles of water to fish
If only those silly barges would stop making so much noise and waking me up 
Don’t they know I am trying to fish, and there they go transporting goods, and benefiting our economy, but WHAT ABOUT ME
If I was a sturgeon guide I would probably have to agree in promoting sturgeon this time of year, but with the name Flatcaster.
I would have to say that comparing my big Flats to my big Sturgeon.
On the upper end Flats hands down.
Even in the mid range… Flats hands down.
In the small range…. Its a tie…… but I will take a small flat over a small sturgeon any day.
Guess it all depends which you catch more of.
I still like cat fishing better! But they are both fun. We’ll see if I change my mind when I hook a big sturgeon finally!
Damn nice fish man!! And you caught it on cut shad? Don’t see that happen very often with flattys, that’s for sure.
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90% of sturgeon fishing is usually refined to *community areas* that others have shown where they are, and relatively easy to catch some fish…
I think a lot of you would be surprised at how widely distributed the sturgeon are on the St Croix. I’ve caught them from Franconia to the north and all the way down past the Kinni to the south. I’ve caught them ice fishing in Andersen Bay in 8 feet of water and I’ve caught them ice fishing off the Wisconsin shore in 32′ of water jigging a swedish pimple with a fathead. I’ve caught them on cut sucker off some ugly logjams fishing cats. Several times I’ve thought I’ve got a new state record flathead on only to have a big sturgeon come sailing out of the water right next to the boat. Some areas concentrate them like near the King Plant but they are all through the river. During the sturgeon contest Manny and I were trying to get away from the boat traffic. We moved up north of Stillwater to a No Wake Zone that neck downs the river. We set up in 10 feet of water at 3:30pm in the afternoon with a bright sun and had a 33″ sturgeon in the boat within 10 minutes. Most people would have never even thought to fish sturgeon there. I guarantee you that any neck down area, with bait fish present and with light current will give up a sturgeon. Don’t feel like you only have to fish the King Plant. That 80# sturgeon was caught by a guy fishing from the shore.
I agree with David Scott, a sturgeon can fight harder for the weight. To me there’s little doubt after my 38 pound sturgeon last night (wow..). I also like getting a tap and not knowing if the fish is there till you lift up on the pole.. But that may be just because it’s something different. The Mississippi at night is indeed charming. Also, the Minnesota during the day by Mankato that was always nice smooth water with no boat traffic. If not catching fish then for sure the Mississippi or Minnesota.. Also, catfishing is nice because you don’t have to watch your rod tip.. I can’t decide!
Say B Robinson, actually about a week ago on the Miss I caught 4 flatheads one day using cut shad, I was surprised too. And they were all nice size..
Sturgeon are fun but flatheads….well there is just something about them. I haven’t caught enough big sturgeons to really say which fights harder but either way they both fight a billion times harder than a stupid walleye!
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but flatheads….well there is just something about them.
Sums it up for me too.
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Say B Robinson, actually about a week ago on the Miss I caught 4 flatheads one day using cut shad, I was surprised too. And they were all nice size..
In the last few outings we put 4 flats in the boat, all caught on shad. One over 40,a 25,a 10, and another littler one. (Mn River)
We caught a few flatheads on cut shad this year too (on the Miss). None that big, though. They seem to hit cutbait in the later part of the summer and into fall.
Oh yeah… Hey Rollin, I want to see how big your flatheads are when you actually start watching your rod tip! 
……. 
I think after sturgeon fishing so much this fall I’ve trained myself where I’ll be watching my rod tip even when I’m fishing with a bobber..
Actually I was just thinking about it and it seems most of my big fish come from the slightest bites. With the flathead.. yeah.. and that sturgeon last night I don’t even think I saw it move, just had a gut feeling!
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but flatheads….well there is just something about them.
Sums it up for me too.
Pug, you have caught a flathead 
I run across a few mentally challenged ones every once in a while.
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