Flathead Eating habits

Do flatheads eat everyday? Lets say a 5lb vs a 40lb for example. What are your thoughts?

Heres my thoughts because I’ve asked myself the same question too. Beings flatheads have too look for food and its not there alot of times they feed when they can. I also think that when they have a big meal and it fills thier stomach they may then slow down a little and not feed at all for a couple days,,,but beings food isn’t on every corner they may eat a big meal filling thier stomachs then turn around and gorge themselves again. I think they eat when they can but after they eat a good meal they may or may not be as aggessive feeding the next time.

Generally speaking I believe they eat pretty much anytime they can.

I don’t recall what publication I read it in, but one said they eat 1/3 their body weight in a 24 hour period.

Ido Pro Guide Greg Vandermark caught a flat on a plastic in the fall. It had and 18 inch sauger sticking out of it’s gullet.

I say they are opportunistic feeders. If there is food around, they will eat, no matter the size. Are you talking like a snake, where if it eats a large meal it will chill out for a few weeks?

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I say they are opportunistic feeders. If there is food around, they will eat, no matter the size. Are you talking like a snake, where if it eats a large meal it will chill out for a few weeks?

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I wish this were true, because they sure didn’t want the bait I had sitting in front of them last night. I am sure weather and other things factor into also, but just want to think of a good reason why I got the big skunk last night

I guess I should amend my statement then. If cats are not on the spawn and conditions are right, they will eat constantly. Still gotta be in the right place at the right time!

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Ido Pro Guide Greg Vandermark caught a flat on a plastic in the fall. It had and 18 inch sauger sticking out of it’s gullet.

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YA! I know,I still have a rash from that night

In all species, smaller fish = higher metabolism = eat more as a percentage of their weight.

Also like all fish species, before the spawn I am sure flatheads eat a lot more in conditioning themselves for spawning and less after the spawn.

I think we would all be pretty amazed to learn how much these guys eat in a 24 hour period May – August.

We should ask the guys in Iowa who kept the fish to eat what was in the stomachs of those fish.

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We should ask the guys in Iowa who kept the fish to eat what was in the stomachs of those fish.

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Just make sure they warn the walleye guys with a ‘graphic images’ tage or something!

<Snicker>

I know if I don’t eat twice a day I get honery and so do they.

Wisker? Did you mean ornery or horny?