Flathead questions

I’ve got a question for all you Flathead fishermen out there. I was just wondering what should I look for when targeting flatheads. I’ve caught a few by mistake with cutbait while fishing channels and want to target them this summer. I hear that anyplace where there is wood, current, and a deep hole near by should produce but I can’t think of any places like that that I know of off the top of my head. Are there any other areas too look for? I know of quit a few wingdams that I would think would hold some channels but haven’t made it there yet to try them. Would Flats be on these as well? Thanks for any information you guys could give me.

I’m sure the guys that fish wing dams frequently will chime in here Steve.

I’ve never intentionally fished for flathead catfish on a wingdam nor have a caught ‘that’ many, so take it for what it’s worth.

Every one I’ve caught was on a deeper dam and it either came way out off the front or fairly close behind the tip.

Hope this helps

i’ve only been pursuing these things hard for one year, so i don’t have much experience. but, this time of the year, i look for backwater areas, with timber, and adjacent to deep holes, and must have flow going through them, but not too much.

later on in the summer (post spawn), i get out of the backwaters and fish more on the mouth of the main channel, or in the main channel. although, i’m planning on doing some wingdam fishing this summer. wingdams adjacent to deep scour holes. if they have timber, even better!

when i fish the minnesota river, i just concentrate on fishing upcurrent from a deep hole that has cover. or fishing any hole with cover (which there is tons of on that river!)

this is just what has worked for me. i’m by no means an expert what-so-ever, so take it for what its worth.

Find the deepest water in your area of the river. Consider that the resting place, find where the bait hangs out around there and either fish the bait or the approach to the bait. Holes around wing dams can be OK to fish. Flatheads like overhead cover or deep water to rest in during the day. Find the resting areas and the other spots are academic. If there are any sloughs around you wood piles and places where two sloughs meet can be great resting areas. They will feed in as little as 2 feet of water at night. Dam washouts are often resting areas.

I focus on deep bends in the river, places where tribtaries dump in, and snag piles. Trial and error and lots of time on the river will be your best way of figuring out your section of water. Most of us on here probably have our “go to spots”, spots that have taken us years to find and figure out. Good luck out there!

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Most of us on here probably have our “go to spots”, spots that have taken us years to find and figure out.

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i just follow around BK in the dark, in stealth mode, and mark everything on the GPS…

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i just follow around BK in the dark, in stealth mode, and mark everything on the GPS…

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That would explain the low success-rate.

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i just follow around BK in the dark, in stealth mode, and mark everything on the GPS…

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That would explain the low success-rate.

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I really dodged a bullet by not having been drinking coffee when I read that. Such a well-played insult is hard to come by… you have my admiration.

PS – BK will actually SHOW you his spots if you give him money. Considering that he’s a cat man, you could say he’s a “man of the evening”, if you will.

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I’m sure the guys that fish wing dams frequently will chime in here Steve.

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I do on Pool 2. I start in lower current areas a few boat lengths up from the dam. No longer than one hour on any given dam. We have pulled some very big flats off of wingies!

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Most of us on here probably have our “go to spots”, spots that have taken us years to find and figure out.

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i just follow around BK in the dark, in stealth mode, and mark everything on the GPS…

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Perch,Your gps holds 2 waypoints????

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Most of us on here probably have our “go to spots”, spots that have taken us years to find and figure out.

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i just follow around BK in the dark, in stealth mode, and mark everything on the GPS…

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Perch,Your gps holds 2 waypoints????

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When did he get #2?

When a person has “the touch” more than one is not needed.

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When a person has “the touch” more than one is not needed.

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Is that what Perch looks like?

Why are you guy’s holding perch like that??????

‘Cause I didn’t have any gloves for Tuck!

He was ‘spose to be in the photo with his son.

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Why are you guy’s holding perch like that??????

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Most of us on here probably have our “go to spots”, spots that have taken us years to find and figure out.

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i just follow around BK in the dark, in stealth mode, and mark everything on the GPS…

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Perch,Your gps holds 2 waypoints????

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When did he get #2?

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he pulled a fast one on you guys then.

i followed him to 3 different spots….

Jokes on all of you…those were walleye spots!

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Jokes on all of you…those were walleye spots!

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Good! New bait spot!!

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Jokes on all of you…those were walleye spots!

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Good! New bait spot!!

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You are the Master

<snicker>

Sorry for the thread drift…it’s been windy.

A few of the guys I’ve talked to that have fished wing dams regularly try to anchor in one of two places depending on how long the wingie happens to be.

First, not all dams are created equal. Generally speaking the first wing dam in a group is the best, but I’ve seen the second and third produce some good ones too.

Most will anchor so at least one bait can be plopped on the inside of the current seam that goes around the dam then one in the slack water just behind the tip. Again, generally speaking this is where the feeding cats will be or be shortly after dusk.

Two other spots are the two inside corners in front and behind the dam. It really doesn’t matter if it’s shallow. I’ve seen the backs of flatheads feeding in shallow water in the dark after all, what’s going to hurt them?

Keep your baits lively, fish those areas and you will connect sooner or later.

What’s with the trebles? How are you fishing with them?

BK–Is it true that once the FLATS got over 30lbs. they taste like CHICKEN

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BK–Is it true that once the FLATS got over 30lbs. they taste like CHICKEN

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No, not at all. They taste like…cat.

Dean, your going to have to take the power cord along home with you when you leave the bait shop at night.

Hi Randy,

once they get past 40, they have a tenderloin just like a suckling pig.

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Hi Randy,

once they get past 40, they have a tenderloin just like a suckling pig.

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Mmmmm… and instead of wine, you can just crack a bunch of old mercury thermometers and drink it down straight from the glass.

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Hi Randy,

once they get past 40, they have a tenderloin just like a suckling pig.

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Soak your big cats in salt water with 10 4oz no roll sinkers over nite. The lead gives the mercury a better taste
Mmmmm… and instead of wine, you can just crack a bunch of old mercury thermometers and drink it down straight from the glass.

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Randy, I’m going to have to bookmark the bass forum for you.