Information You Need To Know Before You Go Flathead Catfish Fishing

Fishing for the flathead catfish is a little different than seeking out the other types of cats such as the blue cat or the channel cat. The flathead cats have their own unique qualities that are different from the others.

If you want to be successful at reeling in this species there are a few things that you should know about them. The more information you have the easier it will be for you to make choices that will make your fishing trips more productive.

Don't think that because you found one species of catfish in a certain area that this means the flathead will be there as well. They don't always inhabit the same areas as the other species of catfish. In fact, they tend to like having their own space and prefer that other fish stay away.

One of the main characteristic of the flathead catfish is that they are very territorial. This means that they tend to find a specific area of the water they are comfortable in and they stay there.

If the conditions are right they will even stay and spawn in the same area where they can be found during other times of the year. Since they are territorial this means that they will go out of their way to defend their home.

The flathead will even strike out against another catfish if they get too close. They are extremely aggressive and will respond very well to live bait making this one of the best options to use when fishing for this species. Carp, shiners, shad and other smaller species of fish are all good choices for live bait to use when fishing for the flathead.

When to Seek Out the Flathead

The best time to seek out the flathead catfish is when the temperature of the water is between fifty-five and seventy-five degrees. This is when they are the most active and feed the most aggressively. This is usually during the months of May through September depending on where you live.

The action may drop off or slow down a little during the end of June and the early part of August when the temperatures rise above seventy-five degrees but the activity will usually pick up again by the end of August.

The best time to fish for the flathead is at night but many anglers have caught them during the day as well. It all depends on your location and the conditions in which you're fishing. Some areas are more populated than others or they provide a better environment for the flathead to grow and thrive.

Always use a technique that will allow you to get the bait on the bottom of the water where they will be located. Otherwise, you'll be wasting your time because the flathead is not going to chase down your offering.