What Is So Special About Flathead Catfishing?
Out of 2500 catfish species around 30 different breeds are found
in the waters of United States alone, Flathead catfish being one of
them. Mostly bottom dwellers of slow moving waters, Flatheads have
gained the title of the most popular game and food fish. They are found
abundantly in the Mississippi river and its smaller tributaries. Over
the years the Flatheads have been introduced across the nation in
smaller lakes and bigger impoundments. Submerged rocks and logs offer a
safe haven to these shy creatures in shallow and deep waters, making the
perfect spots for flathead catfishing.
The most distinguishing feature of a Flathead catfish is its long and flat head, therefore the name Flathead. The eyes of a Flathead are oval and the lower jaw is much bigger than the upper jaw. The coloring of the Flatheads is mottled brown and yellow which lends it invisibility in murky waters. An average Flathead catfish is around forty to fifty pounds but is strong enough to give any angler a tough fight. A fully grown Flathead can weigh up to 100 pounds.
Flatheads on hatching, experience a growth spurt. At only fifteen to nineteen inches they gain sexual maturity albeit, their body weight and size keeps increasing throughout their life time. Flatheads enjoy a life span of twenty five years. These 'Cats' possess a voracious appetite and would devour anything that they can bite into, fish being widely preferable over all else. Bream, Perch and Sunfish are delicacies that would drag a Flat out of its hiding even in the brighter hours.
When Flatheads were propagated in Georgian Rivers, these vicious predators wiped out most of the redbreast population. Introducing Flats in smaller bodies of water in which they are non native always proves disastrous for the smaller fish breeds. Catfish are generally nocturnal predators but the Flatheads exhibit no such tendencies. They hunt during the day as well the night and tend to do it by sight. Anglers who practice fishing in the dark hours use light to attract the Flatheads, which wade in closer to the angler's boats in pursuit of bait.
Locating catfish isn't difficult if you know where to look. River bends which are partially covered and have shadowy depths are a good place to start. Flatheads like to take cover from the exposed surroundings by hiding in rocks, logjams and tree stumps found under water.
When cat fishing on a river, the outside bends are rejected in favor of the inside bends by the anglers because of the difference in the flow. Finding the right spots the fishers cast under the edges, wait for the weight to settle, and for the big one to come along.
When fishing in lakes and reservoirs, a seasoned angler goes straight for darker and secluded areas where under water brush piles form the perfect abodes for Flatheads. In lakes and reservoirs, creek channels also hold possibilities. The Flatheads cross these channels to get to the shallows and hunt for food. Anglers who are aware of these habits set up their rigs around these areas for catching the crafty Flathead.
Seasoned anglers advise going after the Flatheads in the earliest part of the day. Early evenings or after dark hours during the summer months are also recommended. Although, Flatheads hunt during the day and night, they are just a bit weary when the sun is up. Bait has to be offered to them from the least possible distance because a Flathead wouldn't step up to take it. Remember to use a good steady weight which will keep the bait on the river bottom, right where the Flathead is.
The most distinguishing feature of a Flathead catfish is its long and flat head, therefore the name Flathead. The eyes of a Flathead are oval and the lower jaw is much bigger than the upper jaw. The coloring of the Flatheads is mottled brown and yellow which lends it invisibility in murky waters. An average Flathead catfish is around forty to fifty pounds but is strong enough to give any angler a tough fight. A fully grown Flathead can weigh up to 100 pounds.
Flatheads on hatching, experience a growth spurt. At only fifteen to nineteen inches they gain sexual maturity albeit, their body weight and size keeps increasing throughout their life time. Flatheads enjoy a life span of twenty five years. These 'Cats' possess a voracious appetite and would devour anything that they can bite into, fish being widely preferable over all else. Bream, Perch and Sunfish are delicacies that would drag a Flat out of its hiding even in the brighter hours.
When Flatheads were propagated in Georgian Rivers, these vicious predators wiped out most of the redbreast population. Introducing Flats in smaller bodies of water in which they are non native always proves disastrous for the smaller fish breeds. Catfish are generally nocturnal predators but the Flatheads exhibit no such tendencies. They hunt during the day as well the night and tend to do it by sight. Anglers who practice fishing in the dark hours use light to attract the Flatheads, which wade in closer to the angler's boats in pursuit of bait.
Locating catfish isn't difficult if you know where to look. River bends which are partially covered and have shadowy depths are a good place to start. Flatheads like to take cover from the exposed surroundings by hiding in rocks, logjams and tree stumps found under water.
When cat fishing on a river, the outside bends are rejected in favor of the inside bends by the anglers because of the difference in the flow. Finding the right spots the fishers cast under the edges, wait for the weight to settle, and for the big one to come along.
When fishing in lakes and reservoirs, a seasoned angler goes straight for darker and secluded areas where under water brush piles form the perfect abodes for Flatheads. In lakes and reservoirs, creek channels also hold possibilities. The Flatheads cross these channels to get to the shallows and hunt for food. Anglers who are aware of these habits set up their rigs around these areas for catching the crafty Flathead.
Seasoned anglers advise going after the Flatheads in the earliest part of the day. Early evenings or after dark hours during the summer months are also recommended. Although, Flatheads hunt during the day and night, they are just a bit weary when the sun is up. Bait has to be offered to them from the least possible distance because a Flathead wouldn't step up to take it. Remember to use a good steady weight which will keep the bait on the river bottom, right where the Flathead is.
Ron Sharp is a catfishing expert. For great information on
Flathead catfishing, visit flathead catfishing
[http://www.catfishingcatch.com/flathead-catfishing/]
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ronald_Sharp/1015286
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