Flathead Catfishing Recommendations For Reeling In One Of The Biggest Catfish Species

Flathead catfishing is made simpler when you understand a bit more about the Flathead species. In terms of consuming fish, the Flathead is a fantastic choice. It does present a challenge in terms of reeling them in as they combat back and are one of the greatest species of catfish you can come across.

As far as dimension goes, when you're fishing in lakes and rivers, you'll usually uncover that 40-50 pound Flatheads are caught. However, that's not to say that you can't come across much bigger ones...even over 100 pounds.

With its noticeably flattened head, it's easy to see where this variety gets its name. You'll notice that its jaw protrudes past its higher jaw and that it has oval shaped, flat eyes as well. This species of catfish is different from other catfish in that its tail fin is slightly notched and is more straight-edged.

Color wise, the Flathead is usually observed in shades of yellow and mottled brown, with their underbellies being yellow and the brown displaying on their sides and back.

Because of their eating habits, the Flathead can be very harmful to a few species of sunfish. In more compact bodies of water, entire populations of sunfish can be wiped out as Flatheads eat them. Flathead catfish also consume perch and bream, with their favorite delicacy being bream.

Although the above foods are their typical food plan, be conscious that the Flathead isn't often "picky" and will grab most other kinds of fish and food it can find in its path. This catfish species feeds both during the day and night. It does so through sight and is why it's enticed by light...understanding this helps you to select the right catfishing bait.

Summertime is their spawn time and the male operates as guard after the female lays anywhere from four to ninety thousand eggs that remain on the bottom of logs (or anything else they discover for excellent cover) mainly because of their stickiness.

As they grow, this species of catfish will grow to about fifteen-20 inches long, at which time they're regarded as "mature". However, they keep developing throughout their life span, which can get to over twenty five years.

When Flathead catfishing, look for this species at river bends (outside edges of the bends) where they like to take cover in the deep holes made by rocks, tree stumps, big logjams, etc. Sometimes, though, these outside edges can have robust currents and you'll have to cast where there is less current at the inside bends.

You can also go to larger reservoirs and lakes and come across your Flatheads in locations like flooded brush piles where they like to take their cover. A wonderful time to capture this species in these places will be at night time, when they move along more aged river and creek channels and end up in shallow waters looking to have a meal.

Daytime fishing can be reasonably good for you, too. Just understand that Flatheads aren't going to travel great distances in the early evening or morning to eat. This means you have to appreciate where they are taking cover, dependent on the body of water you're fishing in, so that you can cast your bait in the correct vicinity.