Post by National Paylake Directory on Jun 3, 2012 10:52:52 GMT -5
Flathead Is A Big Fish - Learn How To Deal With The Tough Fighter By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=George_Landrail]George Landrail
The Flathead is the largest catfish species of North America. They have been known to weigh over 100 pounds. North American anglers love fishing for flathead; they are often prized as excellent trophy fish. Some anglers fish for flathead catfish because they love its delicately flavored flesh.
Flathead noodling is also common in The United States and is generally regarded as an extreme sport. Flatheads are commonly found in all the great lakes and the river basins of Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio. These fish have been introduced in several lakes in the north too. Flathead catfish are even found in Texas and New Mexico. Setting up a fishing rig for flatheads is no different from setting up the rig to fish for larger catfish like the blues. You will need a strong and supple fishing rod of over 6 feet in length. You will also need a really strong line.
These monster critters can grow up to 61 inches and can weigh over 120 pounds. It is therefore essential that you carry a line that won't break when these monsters give you a fight. You can find the exact specifications for the rod and the line in my other articles. Quite unlike other catfish, who are all scavengers or detrivores, the flatheads are hunters and carnivores; they prefer live bait, almost like other top-order predators.
So if you are planning to go fishing for the yellow catfish, you will need live bait-fish like sunfish or shad. If you find this distressing, you should bait your hooks with large chunks of chicken liver or meat. Cut up fish bait like cut shrimp, sardines, and carp work well too. Just make sure your bait is big and attractive. If you don't get the monsters' attention, spread some chicken blood all around in the water. That will get their attention right away.
When you are fishing for flathead, keep in mind that these fish do not like to live in shallow water. They prefer the depths. So if you find an underwater hole or deep pocket of water, you should cast your line to see if the flatheads are hiding there. Other places to look for catfish are under the underwater logjam and beneath the vegetation or algae cover. These catfish do not come to the surface unless it is cloudy or dark. They hate sunlit water, unless it is winter. They come out to the shallows to sunbathe in winters. You will have a lot of luck catching flatheads with fly fishing rigs in winters. Most fishing enthusiasts fish for the yellow monster during the night. That is partly because of the fact that most flatheads come out to hunt at night and will gobble up whatever smells good. A cloudy day is just as good. Flatheads like to hide in the shallows in winters, so it is easier to catch them in winters. If you have never tried an extreme sport and would like to start now, noodling for flatheads will present an excellent challenge.
The fish can grow up to over five feet and have a sharp row of teeth in their mouths. Take a friend along to help you in case you have trouble. [http://www.catfishingpoint.com/flathead-catfishing/]Flathead catfishing could be very difficult task. Click on the link and discover techniques and baits secrets used by pros [http://www.catfishingpoint.com]http://www.catfishingpoint.com. Talk to you soon. Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Flathead-Is-A-Big-Fish---Learn-How-To-Deal-With-The-Tough-Fighter&id=6273697] Flathead Is A Big Fish - Learn How To Deal With The Tough Fighter
Flathead Catfishing - What's So Special About It?
By ezinearticles.com/?expert=T-Beb_Boudreaux]T-Beb Boudreaux
A lot of folks think catfish are these ugly nasty fish considered by some folks as trash fish. But to sport fishermen the flathead catfish is one of the best for angling. These critters can grow to 5 feet and can live up to 20 years! And guess what, these monsters can be found all over the United States. In fact they are indigenous to the Mississippi River and its waters. The largest one ever caught weight over 123 pounds!
Flathead catfish get their name from the fact that they have flat heads with a protruding jaw. One of the reasons people like to go after them is that their flesh is probably the tastiest of all catfish. And of course their size makes catching one an exciting experience for the angler since catfish are known to be great fighters in the water.
You can find them in large rivers like the Mississippi, Ohio, Missouri and Colorado Rivers and you can also find them in much smaller rivers. They like deep water and like hanging under submerged wood and roots in river bends. They also like a little current and a lot of available baitfish like drum, shad, or suckers.
You can also find flatheads in lakes and reservoirs where they have been transplanted. Picking the right spot to fish is all important whether you are in a boat or fishing from shore. It's taking the time surveying the landscape to find the spots you feel these catfish are most likely to hide.
Since flatheads use their eyes to feed you can catch them during the day but usually not when the sun is high. Early in the morning is a good time to fish for them too but usually the best time is at night for that's when it seems these great fish really like to feed. Some anglers have had luck with hanging a lantern or some type of light over the water to attracts bugs and other critters the flatheads like to feed on.
Because these fish can grow so large you'll need some strong tackle like medium to heavy rods of about 6-10 feet or so and line of 20-80 pounds-force. Anything less than this and you could break a line or a rod.
What makes flathead catfishing so special is that they are fun to catch and great to eat and if you catch a big one you could feed a family for a week!
T-Beb Boudreaux lives in south Louisiana and is the owner of Great Catfishing Secrets. Visit the site to learn more about [http://www.greatcatfishingsecrets.com/flathead-catfishing/]flathead catfishing.
To get a free 10 series mini-course to learn more about the joy and fun of becoming a catfishing expert please visit [http://www.greatcatfishingsecrets.com]http://www.greatcatfishingsecrets.com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Flathead-Catfishing---Whats-So-Special-About-It?&id=6268990] Flathead Catfishing - What's So Special About It?
Flathead Catfishing Tips
By ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ronald_G_Hoff]Ronald G Hoff
The more you know about catfish the more chance you will get a great catch. This sport tends to be more fun and exciting when you are over the greenhorn level. The only way to expand your experience is by applying techniques and tips from successful anglers. I have learned and picked up tips that really helped my fishing skills a lot. Here are some great tips and tricks that will surely help you experience exciting and successful cat fishing. Flathead catfish are famous when it comes to their size and taste. They are good for game fish and as well as for food fish.
First thing you need to know about flathead catfish is that they are attracted to light. They feed during the day as well as at night. If you go flathead cat fishing in the evening, it is best to keep a good source of light slightly near the water to attract these cats. Flathead catfish feed on sunfish. It was reported that when flatheads are placed in a pond or lake, sunfish highly decrease in number. It is best to use sunfish as live bait. You can also use bluegill and shrimp. When using a shrimp remember to remove the skin and tail.
Your timing is important. I advise you that the best time for flathead cat fishing is by early spring. Flathead thrive in warmer temperature. So it will be a great idea to take advantage when the water is warmer to be able to catch a big healthy flathead catfish.
You can use a size 7 or 8 hook and make sure that you use a strong fish line. It is very wise to prepare for a big catch. You will need a 6 foot rod with spinning reel for common farm pond flathead cat fishing.
Be location wise. When owners of lakes or farm ponds promote huge flatheads in their waters, make sure that you ask them for pictures or videos of latest catches. You want to get your money's worth if you will be paying for their lake or pond privileges.
Search for large logjams, tree stumps, and rocks these are the areas where flathead catfish prefer to hangout. It will be a good idea to know, explore or familiarize yourself with the area where you will be flathead cat fishing. This will give you the best chance to find a great spot.
Patience indeed is a virtue. It will not be everyday that you will catch a great flathead cat fishing. You may experience a 3-4 failures in a day and sometimes wait for 12 hours. This can be avoided if you know the lake, farm pond or creek very well.
Lastly, flathead catfish prefers bait that is lying still so make sure that you keep your baits from going here and there. Keep it steady and you will see great results. Any activity can be very satisfying and invigorating when you are enjoying it and gaining something out of it whether a skill, knowledge or a great meal.
If you want more information on cat fishing feel free to visit my website [http://www.catfishsite.com]http://www.catfishsite.com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Flathead-Catfishing-Tips&id=6512513] Flathead Catfishing Tips
Flathead Catfish
By ezinearticles.com/?expert=Marilyn_Roberts]Marilyn Roberts
The tiny eyes and flattened forehead make this catfish easy to identify. Their coloring is light brown and has some black or darker mottling of the back and sides. The belly can range from pale yellow to creamy white with smooth, no scale skin. The mouth has barbels around it and the back and fins have sharp spines.
Flatheads are sometimes called shovelheads, mud cats, Johnnie cats, and yellow cats.
Their usual habitats are the large rivers. They mostly like cloudy water and currents that move slow and can be found in some canals, lakes, rivers and reservoirs.
The flathead cats like warm water temperatures ranging in the mid 70s to the low to mid 80s. They spend their winters with large groups of flat heads mostly in large bodies of water that have sufficient cover that will break down the current. Once they find their ideal spot they just lay at the bottom of the water while silt accumulates to cover their body. They will stay like this until the warmer waters of spring begin.
These cats are picky eaters and like to feed on live bait such as fish, although they will sometimes eat crayfish or clams. They do not like to eat rotten food so be sure and use live bait. Sunfish are one of their favorites and makes this a popular bait to catch the flat heads. Some of the larger flatheads will eat carp, other catfish, and even largemouth bass.
Night time is when you want to fish for flatheads because night time is their feeding time. They just leave their resting spot at night and after feeding will return immediately.
If you are fishing in the deeper water these cats will give you a hearty fight so you will need a strong line. A lot of fishermen prefer a trotline instead of using the standard rod and reel. Also, many like to use catfish noodling where you catch the cats with your hand, but although exciting, it can be dangerous also.
Flathead catfishing can be a challenging sport with lots of excitement and action and also some good eating. So for an exciting fishing adventure you can try your hand at catching these cats.
Visit www.squidoo.com/catfish-tips for more catfishing tips and you can begin planning a great catfishing adventure.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Flathead-Catfish&id=2602282] Flathead Catfish
Note, it is illegal to noodle for catfish In Indiana.
Indiana Fishing &Hot Spots PO Box 1270 Martinsville Indiana 46151 www.indianafishing.co/