Timber…chances are if there is current in the river, there will be a scour hole associated with the timber to begin with. Flatheads seem to care more about what’s over their head than how deep they are. Although, with that being said, most of my fishing is on the Missouri river where timber is all but impossible to find so I end up fishing scour holes behind wingdams.
MC
Doesn’t look to “stocky” but 44.5 inches would make it a solid 40 and probably a little extra.
Nice cat!
Matt
You would negate the reason for using cutbait if you put stinky goo all over it. The bigger cats are more attracted to fresh food. They are not scavengers anywhere near the amount that smaller channels are.
I also suggest fishing shallow at night near deep water and cover. One very important thing to consider is where the baitfish are. If you find them, the flatheads will be nearby.
Matt
Ok, since I figured out how to post pictures, here’s the 41 inch flattie I caught on August 9th.
Matt
See if this works…
But how do I attach it. The photos need an internet host as far as I know. That’s the piece I don’t get.
Matt
Chitwood, I may have been working on it when you tried to open it. It should be working fine. The pictures are under the link on the left side CATS. There are 7 or 8 pictures up on that link. The picture on the main page is a flatty I got 2 years ago.
Matt
Luckily for that surfer, that was a dolphin!
matt
Regarding shining a light on the spot, it’s ok for getting anchored right and for shining for your casts, but I wouldn’t suggest leaving any light shining on the water for any lenght of time. Flatheads seem to be pretty light sensitive. If you look at their eyes, they look a lot like cat’s eyes in the dark. The smallest amount of light glows from their eyes like crazy. Just my thoughts.
Matt
Jake, up the size of your hooks and you catch those fish. A big flathead has a HUGE mouth and you can’t really overdo it on hook size as long as the hook isn’t too much for the bait. As for bullheads, they could pull a 2 lb weight around with all the energy they have. Give it a try.
Matt
I kind of like the adventure of finding a new spot each night when I go. If you have a boat..and can run the river pretty good, find 5 or 6 spots that you really like and just rotate them. Keeps things interesting.
Matt
Nice fish. How big was that first one at the very top? He looks pretty large. 
Matt
Here’s the method I use and it works great. The time it doesn’t is if you’re fishing VERY tight into snags. If you’ve got any room to spare, this is great. I am hoping you have baitcaster reels with clickers on them. When the clicker starts going, pick the rod up, point it straight at the fish and let him take some more line. Once he’s steadily moving off, take off the clicker, lift the rod tip to about 1 o’clock while letting the free spool take more line (don’t lock the reel in gear yet) Once you get your rod to 1 o’clock, lock it in gear and let the flathead pull your rod down. Once it gets to about 4 o’clock, HAMMER HIM! They will have the bait fully in their mouth 99/100 times when you do this. Also what dirk said about bigger hooks and hooking them behind the dorsal fine. You might also want to try 3 way rigs. Good luck.
Matt
If you want bigger fish, use cutbait or livebait. It sounds like you may be using nightcrawlers? That’s just one thought. Also, try fishing after it gets dark or just before it gets light out.
Matt
What are the advantages of these sinkers? I’ve been using bank sinkers in heavy current for a few years and have no complaints. Do no-rolls even work in three way rigging? I’m always looking to improve my rig.
Matt
They’re much less agressive in winter. It is the high density of fish in one hole that can make the fishing so unbelieveable at times. When you have 50 big flatheads fin to fin, it’s not going to take a perfect cast to get a fish. The key is actually finding them though. That can be pretty tough.
Matt
Looks like with the size of that head that the fish could have been even heavier at one time! Very nice shovelhead.
Matt
aah, another one finds out why us weirdos fish for flatheads to begin with. 
Good catch.
Matt
Try using a 1 to 2 foot leader of 50 lb mono and seeing if that doesn’t help stop the break offs. That superline just isn’t abrasion resistant enough in most cases to hold up against snags and rocky bottoms…let alone gar or toothy critters.
Matt
In addition to maybe going a bit larger, have you tried hooking the bullhead through the top lip just behind the jaw bone? If you’re fishing in current, this might be a better option. That struggling bullhead could put that hook through itself if it’s got enough line to wiggle with. Just my thoughts.
matt
I would strongly recommend not using lights if you’re fishing for flatheads. Any light at all will keep them away for sure. They are very light sensitive. I’ve seen a few articles that say that flatheads can be steered away from cover when hooked by shining a light in front of them. They turn the other way in a hurry.
matt
woooohooooo, finally someone else from Nebraska! 
Matt
I would definitely try fishing the below the wing dams that jet out close to the main channel. Cast along the current break on the tip of the wing dams. The active fish will feed there. Good luck
Matt
Look for any areas with water running into the main river. The incoming water should be warmer and attract cats and bait fish. Good luck
Matt
That’s a great buy Mike! Enjoy the Big Cat rod. Feel the power!
Matt
I have a Quantum Big Cat rod that I love. The only thing I would change would be making it lighter. I also have a Fenwick 6’6″ muskie type rod that I use for channels that is great. I’m able to zing a bait pretty good with this rod. I like a tip that gives a bit, but a solid mid section.
Matt
First key to catching a 30 ” + channel…get stronger line…
Dirk, I’d be very interested in those Quantum reels. I couldn’t find any info on whether they had clickers though. I have two of the Iron spinning reels and love them. Very smooth and easy to maneuver. I’m sure the baitcasters are just as great as the spinning reels. I’ll have to check them out!
Matt
