How do you catch big flathead catfish?
Flathead catfish hang out in deep cover near the current. When they come out of cover to feed, they will move into the current while staying on the bottom. A good technique for catching flatheads is to drift the bait next to the current in river bends.
What is the biggest flathead catfish ever caught?
123 pounds
What was the largest flathead catfish ever caught? Ken Paulie caught the biggest Flathead Catfish back in 1998, and he still holds the world record, though some question its legitimacy. The Flathead was over 5 feet in length and weighed 123 pounds.
What is the best bait for big flathead catfish?
Flatheads feed primarily on live baits. Good hearty and lively baits like live perch, bluegill, sunfish, goldfish or mudcats are the preferred bait for catching flatheads.
What is considered a big flathead catfish?
Description. The flathead catfish grows to a length of 155 cm (61 in) and may weigh up to 56 kg (123 lb), making it the second-largest North American catfish (after the blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus). The average length is about 25-46 in (64-117 cm). Its maximum recorded lifespan is 24 years.
Will flatheads eat cut bait?
In colder water especially, flatheads will hit cut bait, especially when they’re feeding heavily. If you’ve get even a slight movement to the bait by fishing current or drift fishing that’s even better.
How do you target a large catfish?
Cut bait is one of the most effective baits for blue catfish Large live shiners, herring, and shad are deadly, especially on flathead and channel catfish. But it’s hard to top a section of cut bait from a herring, shad, or mullet for both of those species and blue catfish as well. Cut them into steaks ¾-1 inch wide.
Is big flathead good eating?
John Susman, from seafood consultants Fishtales, has seen flathead go from being a by-catch to one of the most important table fish in Australia, which he says is due to its wonderful eating properties. “The mild, sweet and fatty scalloping flesh is perfect for steaming,” he says.
How long is a 50 lb flathead catfish?
45.25 inches long
It kept hanging down deep, and when it finally came up to the top, we thought it might be a mermaid. I’ve fished the Susquehanna for years and I’ve never caught anything quite like it.” It took Bonawitz 25 minutes to land the 50-pound, 7-ounce fish. It measured 45.25 inches long.
Where can I find flathead catfish during the day?
During the day, though, flatheads primarily held in brushy areas or dense snags. At night, their nocturnal forays often kept them around cover, but active fish often moved through clear areas.
What size hooks for flathead?
Usually, size 2 to size 5/0 will be the range. Remember, these guys have big mouths. Anglers have their particular preferences for hook style, but it will depend on bait. A long shank will be excellent for worms and strip baits.
Do flatheads eat worms?
Gobs of nightcrawlers or river worms have long been a favorite bait option for many veteran flathead anglers. Three dozen river worms equates to about three “baits” for Agee.
Can you eat large flathead catfish?
Flatheads are excellent eating. There is no comparison to the other species. I have heard flatheads are great no matter what size they are, I have never eaten a large flathead. I have kept 5 or 6 flatheads in my life, all between 5 – 15 pounds.
Are large catfish good to eat?
Big catfish taste worse than smaller catfish because they have more toxins in their meat. The meat of old catfish also tends to get old and mushy, providing a different and more gamey flavor when cooked. Usually the cut off for eating catfish for me is 8lbs. Anything over that is getting released to live another day.
How do you catch flathead catfish?
From The Bank. Winter catfishing from the bank can be tough because you can only fish from a certain shore radius.
How to catch a flathead catfish?
Fishing At Dawn And Dusk. This method is basically stating that flathead catfish come out at night to feed.
What is the world record for flathead catfish?
[citation needed] The world angling record flathead catfish was caught May 14, 1998, from Elk City Reservoir, Kansas, and weighed 123 lb 9 oz (56.0 kg). However, a record from 1982, caught by “other methods”, shows that the flathead catfish would be North Americas longest species of catfish, after a specimen pulled from the Arkansas River measured 175 cm (69 in.) and weighed 63.45 kg (139 lbs and 14oz.).
What is the biggest flathead catfish caught in the US?
– Angler: Ken Paulie – Species: Flathead catfish – Weight: 123 pounds – World Record Line Class: All Tackle – Location: Elk City Reservoir, Kansas – Date: May 19, 1998 – Lure or Bait Used: Live minnow