What to look for?

I have been trying to catch a few cats for 2 trips to p2 now with 1 48″ flatty and not a single other fish. I have been fishing with crawlers/ chicken liver/ cut bait with no avail. tried downed trees and holes and edges of holes. I used to catch them from shore on the MN river out west. but can’t catch anything around here. A little advise would be great on areas to look for. depth, cover, etc needed to land a few fish. I am a walleye guy and have no trouble with the white tips. I am nw to p2 it is in my backyard literally se it from home but waited to go out as I would never work if I figured it out. I have been so busy this year I have had very little toime to go any where else. Never been skunked on walleye yet the stinken cats got me though.

A 48 is bigger then I have gotten this year. So way to go. It has benn a little slower for me lately. Wood with shallow water(5-8) feeding shelf and deep water(20) near by are areas I fish for flats.

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I have been trying to catch a few cats for 2 trips to p2 now with 1 48″ flatty and not a single other fish.

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What the Heck are you bawling about? You made 2 trips and only 1 flathead that was 48″. Only 1 flat 48″, you got to be kidding me!! Just so you know what you just said – a typical 48″ length flathead would have about a 28″ or better girth which would make it a 50 lb fish. A lot of fishermen go their whole life and never see a 50 lb fish and you got one in 2 short trips. You are doing what every Rookie does who catches a BIG fish and then starts looking everywhere else for a big fish. You found it – STOP – Do not pass Go. Fish right there until you know exactly what a good flathead hole looks like because you found one. Look for the key elements in your hole that caused that flat to be there and then look for those or similar elements in new pieces of water.

Slow yourself down and quit looking everywhere else for the magic spot. You have found it and you need to now FOCUS and analyze that spot so you know what a good flathead spot looks like.

Sounds to me like you have broken the code on where to catch a big flathead and don’t even know it. If I was you I would go back to that spot where you caught the 48″ flathead and learn everything there is to know about that spot:

#1 – Where exactly were you when you caught that flat?
#2 – Make sure you can find that spot again and in the dark.
#3 – Is there a hole or deep water associated with this spot? If so where is the head of the hole and where does it tail out?
#4 – Is there a current flow right now during low water and how is the current flowing through the hole that would help a fish find bait?
#5 – Is there cover or debris in the hole or near to it that will hold fish bedded down in it? If so, where is the cover located in the hole and how can you position baits for fish to find when they leave that cover? Think about it – that is the bedroom and when they wake up they will head to the kitchen to eat. You want them to find the food (your bait) right outside the bedroom door.

After you learn this spot – don’t tell anybody else about it – especially BrianK. This is your personal go to spot.

From now on when ever you look at a piece of water try to find pieces of it that look like what you found in this spot. Similar types of things – depth, cover and debris, current flow, similar spot on the spot locations that replicate where you caught fish in your honey hole.

You wouldn’t care to tell me exactly where you caught that 48′ flat would you? If you told me I would probably kick you in the A$$. Don’t tell anybody – you are now a Flathead Fisherman. Good Luck.

Sorry Mike, we took an oath not to give secrets to walleye guys.

I’m sorry u not have any luck.

Kidding of course.

With the flow at 5000 to 6000 cfs, I would be targeting shorelines with rock. Now I’m talking flatheads here, so skip all the other baits and use live bullies or if you have a friend along…cut sucker. And I’m talking 6 inches worth of tail cut off smashed with your foot cut sucker. Might as well slice the flesh with a knife before you squish it cut sucker.

I like to target the area where the rocks stop and the river bed starts. A downed tree nearby helps too.

Now while you’re sitting there…listen for a large fish swirl near shore. Not in the middle of the river, but near shore. That’s likely to be a flatty chasing bait. Fish up stream of that area or fish that spot next time out.

As Jake mentioned 5 feet isn’t too shallow and I would go on to say 2 feet isn’t too shallow.

For channels this time of year, it’s hard to beat Sonny’s or Secret Seven. If you don’t get bite in 10 minutes…move. The channels will find you!

Once you’ve found an area with some channels, switch to you chicken livers and other cut baits for the larger fish.

One thing about channel cats…they aren’t called Channels for nothing…(in a river)!

Good luck and let us know how you do!

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especially BrianK.

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Now that hurt

Btw sorry I was in your spot last night Steve.

Hey Brian – Sorry if I hurt your feelings, but you don’t need his spots anyway since you don’t seem to have much trouble putting fish in the boat. Now you stay out of my spots – besides at least I’m a long run from Pool 4 and you’ve got plenty of spots in between. Have you found that GPS locator I put on the bottom of your boat yet?
We are going to raffle off your GPS trail at the end of the year.

Just to echo what has been said–one huge fish in two trips is good! You can’t expect much better. Flathead fishing is a waiting game. Getting skunked is quite normal. Just enjoy the time on the river and think of the fish as a bonus.

Fishing for large catfish is a lot more like deer hunting than fishing. You got a 10 pointer on your first trip. Did you enjoy fising at night with the sights and sounds? You spend time on the water with baits in likely places and you’ll catch fish. I’ve been fishing catfish for 25 years and I’ve never even come close to a 50. There is no better place than here to learn the ropes but time and purpose will trump all and hiring a guide can improve the learning curve.

LMAO @ Steve

To the original question: I heard a good a term the other night. It’s called “paying your dues in reverse”

Basically that is when you connect with a big one on your first or second time out and then blank for a period of time. Dues will be paid, not a matter of if, just when.

As a catfisherman, and specifically one that targets big fish, there will be at times, long drawn out dry spells in which you question your sanity. To make it through these times there are a few things that might help.

Sleeping in the boat

Playing cards in the boat

Browsing the internet in the boat

Clonking

It sounds like you are not intending on targeting big fish by using chicken livers and nightcrawlers. If It’s simple action you are looking for, find a tree sticking up out of the water and throw some stinkbait on your hook and cast near the tree. It shouldn’t take long for a 1-3lb fish to find it.

If it’s big fish you are targeting, then you are going to need to switch over to live or cut bait.

Like Steve said, concentrate on the spot you caught that big fish at. Then find another spot similar to it. Give that new spot a couple of hours, if it doesn’t produce, go back to the original spot. Find a new spot the next time you go out and repeat. Sooner or later, one of those new spots will produce.

Now you have 2 spots that you know hold fish. Keeping doing that for several years and before you know it, you will have a couple dozen quality spots.

don’t sweat it, you’ve caught a monster already. this is only my second year fishing for these things, but its taken me this long to get enough proven spots marked to be able to feel confident to fish the whole night.

i fished friday night for 8-9 hours, and we didn’t have a single run. and we were fishing spots that have produced multiple fish in one night. it happens, and it gets really frustrating at times, but just take it all as a learning experience. i’m still trying to figure these dang things out, and it probably won’t happen anytime soon still…

I am sorry but this thread is either a joke or that 48″ is a typo. Right?

Steve, didn’t you go something like 13 trips without a flathead a couple years ago? I know I’ve gone at least 5 or 6. I am also in year two of a sub 25 pound streak. That is the way it goes.

Although I am pretty sure I had a 30+ on the other night who wrapped me up in the snag. Worst feeling in the world when you realize you aren’t going to get him out.

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Steve, didn’t you go something like 13 trips without a flathead a couple years ago? I know I’ve gone at least 5 or 6.

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Um, I went an entire summer. BK almost witnessed a mental breakdown after I lost one in his boat Granted, I don’t fish as much as some of you, but I was fishing at least once a week.

It wasn’t pretty.

Thanks for the advice. I have not been targeting large fish just some action for the rod. I also haven’t fished at night yet been to busy I am a earlybird gut for work landscaping business. I would be happy for a few channels. I might get out a few evenings but day is mainly the deal. weekends too only typically. I caught the 48″ at around 3 in the afternoon was really just looking for channels or whatever. I agree it is a monster just thought it might be a fluke. it does happen. I guess I will stick to it. I agree night is better for cats.

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Thanks for the advice. I have not been targeting large fish just some action for the rod. I also haven’t fished at night yet been to busy I am a earlybird gut for work landscaping business. I would be happy for a few channels. I might get out a few evenings but day is mainly the deal. weekends too only typically. I caught the 48″ at around 3 in the afternoon was really just looking for channels or whatever. I agree it is a monster just thought it might be a fluke. it does happen. I guess I will stick to it. I agree night is better for cats.

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Say What?? Got it at 3 in the afternoon looking for channels or whatever. I cannot help it you deserve this –

Maybe us cat guys have been doing this thing all wrong:
#1 – Crawling in at 3 in the morning when I should be tanning in the sun at 3 in the afternoon.
#2 – All serioused up trying to develop a flathead pattern based on weather, river conditions, trying to think like a flathead to catch one when what I should be doing is just looking for channels or whatever. The “Whatever” part may be a whole new Tactic to try and master.
#3 – Fishing through the skunks night after night thinking we are going to hit the BIG One tonight when all you have to do is not target large fish just try to get some action for the rod.

You may be on to something there that the Cat Fishing Crowd just cannot understand. We all have serious Excessive Compulsive Flathead Fishing Disorders (ECFFD). You are just to laid back for our crowd. You remind me of the Paul Newman character in Cool Hand Luke. Why did you ask us for advice? You may want to seek advice on fishing over on the Walleye Forum – we cannot help you over here. Sorry!!

Have a nice day – if you get another big cat, please don’t tell us about it. Especially if you get it in the middle of the afternoon. Please don’t tell our wives for sure.

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Thanks for the advice. I have not been targeting large fish just some action for the rod. I also haven’t fished at night yet been to busy I am a earlybird gut for work landscaping business. I would be happy for a few channels. I might get out a few evenings but day is mainly the deal. weekends too only typically. I caught the 48″ at around 3 in the afternoon was really just looking for channels or whatever. I agree it is a monster just thought it might be a fluke. it does happen. I guess I will stick to it. I agree night is better for cats.

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Say What?? Got it at 3 in the afternoon looking for channels or whatever. I cannot help it you deserve this –

Maybe us cat guys have been doing this thing all wrong:
#1 – Crawling in at 3 in the morning when I should be tanning in the sun at 3 in the afternoon.
#2 – All serioused up trying to develop a flathead pattern based on weather, river conditions, trying to think like a flathead to catch one when what I should be doing is just looking for channels or whatever. The “Whatever” part may be a whole new Tactic to try and master.
#3 – Fishing through the skunks night after night thinking we are going to hit the BIG One tonight when all you have to do is not target large fish just try to get some action for the rod.

You may be on to something there that the Cat Fishing Crowd just cannot understand. We all have serious Excessive Compulsive Flathead Fishing Disorders (ECFFD). You are just to laid back for our crowd. You remind me of the Paul Newman character in Cool Hand Luke. Why did you ask us for advice? You may want to seek advice on fishing over on the Walleye Forum – we cannot help you over here. Sorry!!

Have a nice day – if you get another big cat, please don’t tell us about it. Especially if you get it in the middle of the afternoon. Please don’t tell our wives for sure.

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Easy there C15…..
Sometimes early on we look for lighting to strike twice….quickly…. with out realizing how lucky we got the first time…. That’s where the questions start, especially if your targeting other species and then get a peek in Pandora’s box….Flathead.. (forever changing the way we look at fishing)

Cedarcreek, if your new to Flathead catfishing it could be considered pretty different compared to what you’ve experienced in the past. Lots of guys have been fishing for a long time with hope and effort to pull a fish in that was as big as yours.
Feel free to continue to ask questions, but I would encourage you also to look back in old threads and you will find a ton of FYI’s and other info that will help shorten your curve.
Make sure to check out Steve Demar’s Cat tip of the Day.

We very much would like to see pictures of that fish.. It is pretty rare.

Just goes to show you the amount luck has to play in catching a big fish. This guy is out in the middle of the afternoon on a sunny day just wanting to catch anything and lucks on a 50# fish. Kind of drives you nuts when you are sitting here with a sleep deprived headache after a week of skunk nights and trying to figure out where and how to fish tonight.

This guy is complaining and asking for advice after he only caught 1 fish in two outings and it was 48″ in length. Then he drops the rest of the story that it was the middle of the afternoon and he just wants to catch anything that will bite and really isn’t all that serious about cats anyway.

After it is all said and done he is holding the big fish .

I guess that really is why they call it Fishing.

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Clonking

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Not that again…it’s been a pretty slow year for me so far, but not enough to break out the catfish caller!

It is in my boat somewhere, not sure why…

Shawn