Winter Flatheads

[tdpasser]

Hi all,
new to the site, anyone catch the flats in the fall/winter time we do good in the spring and summer using live bluegill and green sunnies but I want to try this cold season. any suggestions are appreciated.

[Schoe]

Well Terry, one problem you probably don't have to deal with there is low water temps. It seems as the water temp gets close to 50 or so the Flats here go dormant. Then we have to Chase the Blues and Channels.
We use pretty much the same bait as you except for maybe Shad and Skip jacks,but Bluegills are hard to beat. Looking foreword to hearing more about your fishing adventures. Schoe

[tdpasser]

Thanks Schoe,
They go dormant here too, i found an island at bartlett res. and on one side it's 5ft deep and on the other side it's 30 ft. i think this is a good spot because I'm thinking the flats might come into the shallows to warm in the sun chow on a gil and then go deep after feeding. I'm betting they still eat in the winter but not as much. This spot is a good producer in the warm time. I'll post good or bad after I go. No blues that I know of here, I wish because they are a beautiful cat and I bet they fight good. The flats are so good eating, like halibut, white thick meat. Haven't tried channels we catch'em up to 5 or 6 lbs. Do you like to eat the channels I heard they are pretty good?

[Schoe]

I like most people prefer channels from 1 to 3 lbs to fry whole but there are some that prefer the bigger ones. I agree 100% that the Flatheads are the top shelf fish. There was an article in a Fla. pamphlet that stated that the flathead was the only fresh water fish that improved with taste the bigger they get. I released the majority of the Flats over 10 lbs. this year but had a 29 lb that died on me and you talk about good. Like any other fish you have to trim any red meat and fat off to make it palatable. Schoe

[Fatkat]

I agree with ya Schoe, them smaller channel cooked whole are really the best, fried or on the grill. But where I disagree with most people, I prefer channels over any other catfish meat. I'm kind of weird that way, I like the stronger tasting fish. To each his own I guess. lol

[Catbird]

It's not quite winter...yet...but is starting to feel that way. Temps outside are about 36 degrees and the river temp is supposed to be around 55 degrees. Heading out here in a few minutes to give it a try. I will be using frozen shad and chicken liver unless I can get some fresh shad down there. I will also be checking to see if any skipjacks are showing up yet. Will post this evening with results.

[Catbird]

Back home, not a bite. The river was up and cranking. Marked suspended fish, but wouldn't bite on what I had. River temp...52 degrees.

[Schoe]

Well didn't get to fish this morning but shot a real nice 10 pt buck. Schoe

[Catbird]

I just got back from catching fresh shad. I got them iced down (not that they need it). It is around 20 degrees out and supposed to be a few degrees colder in the morning. I am going to try at a hot water outlet from a power plant. I will report back.

[Catbird]

I went out for 7 hours and only got 2 bites from catfish. No runs, they just played with it. I did catch 2 white bass and one large mouth bass while throwing out crappie jigs.

[RamRod]

At least your catching fish, that's a good thing!