?????????????

[Here-Kitty-Kitty]

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that there seems to be a lot of 47+ inchers that have been boated. Just in the few years that I have been apart of FM it seems like this season is shattering all the rest of the seasons in high quality cats. Anyone have any thoughts to why that is ?

[DTro]

3 reasons I think

More people fishing

More people are measuring them

Fish are slowly getting bigger

[Scott K]

3 reasons I think

More people fishing

More people are measuring them

Fish are slowly getting bigger

I would have to agree with all 3 reasons. I would like to add one more thing, the water quality has improved a lot, and the warmer weather as well. Years ago, nobody measured their fish, they were either weighed, or just eaten. I think as the years go on, and the water gets cleaner, I think we will start seeing the sizes growing every year.

Just remember, "Let them go, so they can grow" !

[Shack]

Could it be the fact the River Rats are honing their technique better every year? If you play a game, learn a thing or two from the last round you lost, then apply those thoughts & ideas to the next, eventually you have to start winning?

You can only stay interested in something you know (at least gradually) you are getting better at.

[rushing]

Every fish I have ever caught has been 47 inches

[Here-Kitty-Kitty]

I'm not talking woman rob

[Carp-fisher]

I fed em a crapload of bullheads and shad last year...maybe that led to the growth spurt?

[audemp]

GLOBAL WARMING!!

[Papa Grump]

GLOBAL WARMING!!

So that's why

[DARK30]

George Bush!

I have to say more people fishing...and more people releasing fish. We have a great fishery here guys....we need to keep it that way.

[hanson]

Bottom line is it all comes down to Honesty and Accurate Measurements as well.

I personally think there is a bit of "creep" factor going on with measurements.

If 44-45" fish were taking the top of the KOTC last year, why not bump it up a bit to a 46-47" fish. Its just an inch, right?

I'm not measuring fish anymore, that way nobody can debate it. I'm going with BIG and F'n BIG. Gotta catch one first though.

[icehousebob]

I think Dark hit the main point. Years back, if some people caught a big cat, they would take it home or to the bar to show it off, then it got chucked out. Now, most people carry cameras and can snap a quick shot and let it go. It would be interesting to know how many times a 47 incher has been caught in its lifetime.

[MinnesnowtaWild]

George Bush!

I have to say more people fishing...and more people releasing fish. We have a great fishery here guys....we need to keep it that way.

You nailed it...we indeed do have a great fishery and my hopes are that it stays that way or gets even better. There will always be naive people fishing the river but I think there is a big enough core group of guys on the river that spread catch and release by word of mouth. And by showing others that is the right thing to do for those big fish is key in changing poor habits.

Catch, Photo, Release!

[Gordie]

The DNR BIO guys at Franklin that I have talked with year after year said that Flathead grow on average 1 inch a year and on average around a pound a year this will vary depending when the fish was caught like before a meal or after a meal. They have some data to back this up.

and as its been said More fishermen = more fish

I was talking with shack and I think thats in the next 3 years we could see a state record come out of one of these rivers and I belive that these fish exsist and it just a matter of time before Hotpocket or I catch it no seriuosly I do think that the 70 lb mark will be broken in the next 3 years.

Its up to us to protect these great fish and we are showing everyone that we can do this by the CPR techniques we use.

Its great that we dont have that "cleaned and ate it" additude as it so used to be.

[Shack]

Gordie I have read studies that have said (with out looking) flatheads grow rapidly fast up to 15" and then slow to a growth rate as you said.

So no one thinks the reason might involve more advanced flathead angling tactics?

I known if I look back at the way I approached fishing for flats now compaired to even 5 years ago, darkages describes it best. Heck even these forums could could be wrapped into these advancments. You can increase the amount of involvment in anything, but those who strive to learn better ways are the ones who reap the rewards.

Anyone can get lucky I guess, but the people who say "I want to fish for flats", go out and use the primative/basic/starter stuff, plop them selves down at Black Dog and cast out IMO are fishing for luck.

Case in point: Larry & I were loading up the other week. Right at the ramp 3 guys who said they never been on an on-line forum were fishing for cats. They were using small chucks of cut sucker with I would guess around 10lb mono and basic 3/0 j hooks. We got to talking and they fell around them selves when Larry through them a couple bullies. IMO their odds just went up 300% in even getting a flat to bite. If that had not happened, they got skunked 4-5 times in their new thing, they would I assume just give up.

I guess we were all experts 3, 5, 10 years ago. I do feel C&R plays a big role in things, but I have no doubt the majority of Flat fisherman who would keep a 40lb fish 10 years ago would not have any issue with keeping one today. The word must be spread, but I give the credit of the larger fish being caught to the anglers who catch them.

I have yet to even wait when loading up between 2-8am, let alone wait 15-20 minutes. Their does seem to be more people intrested, but when I am in a line of 5-7 vehicles at the Lillydale boat ramp at 3am, then I will be saying "there is more people fishing for flats". I guess seeing 2-3 more boats of people you do not know during an early weekend morning is an increase. Just think the guys who live to flathead are getting smarter. Could be wrong though. Fact is fishing for flatheads is catching on (or in it's cycle of intrest) but I have no visions of it going Sportfish mainstream any time soon. People will get into it & say they want to do it, but like someone just told me, the fact you have to launcha boat on the river keeps many at bay.

I know being modest is one of things many of the cat guys I know are, but do not discredit your selves. we are for a fact fishing smarter today more than ever in rivers that are some of the best for flats in the country.

[Shack]

I used to never even look at what the temp the river was at. Now it is the first thing. The old stand by was wait till you have hot summer nights and do not think of going before. Heck, did not even cared way back when to even know when flatheads spawned.

[DTro]

I think you are lookig at your own situation too much Shack. Tactics have changes very little in the past 10 years.

If there is any one big tactic I see that is different is that people are realizing that May/June is primetime and not July/August as has been so popular in the past and still ingrained in a lot of old river rats. I hear it all the time, "Your fishing for cats already? It's not good till the water gets low, and they are in the holes".

No doubt about it, if you want the best shot of numbers and a trophy size fish, you better be fishing 24/7 during that May/June period.

I still think the fish are getting bigger little by little each year though.

[Gordie]

Shack I think that the techniques are close to the same and yes the gear has changed for the better but still the smae old way hook--swivel---sinker, thats been a main stay for the catfisherman and as DTro said its the time of the year that seems to be a major change for the angler years ago we always looked forward to the dog days of summer cause that ment flats on the river would pick up but what I really belive it was we were fishing for the other species that were on the hot bite earlier in the season than the summer. I have to admit that I fished for eye,s until july then it was nothing but flats for the rest of the year partially because of the old river rats way of thinking.

[Blue Kayak]

This is an interesting question. I think many people new to catfishing expect it to be pretty easy. I took a look at the standings from the Belle Plaine Catfish League in 2008. (BTW -- The 2009 standings have been erased and now mirror the 2010 standings). In 2008, a league participant had nearly a 50 percent chance of being totally skunked for both channels and flatheads on any given league night. That is fishing from 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM and one all nighter. That is a pretty low catch ratio, especially considering the level of experience.

How long does it take a bass fisherman to catch his first catfish? Well, I started with my most sturdy bass rod and reel with probably 8 pound test line. Then I got some large frozen suckers from the bait store and put them on a 2/0 Eagle Claw hook. Never caught a catfish with that method.

It wasn't until I joined the BPCL and Darren got me onto a 24 inch channel, that I finally realized I had a lot to learn. By that time I had upgraded to 10/0 hooks for flats, a salt water reel, heavy catfish rod, 80 pound PowerPro, and learned the importance of large live bait or fresh cut bait. All this I learned from FM and attending the BPCL introductory meetings. Without FM, I would still be bass fishing.

Sites like FM and the opportunities to network with experienced anglers have to help increase the size of fish caught. Also, it makes it so much easier to report the large fish caught.

[Shack]

Pretty much the "term" advancement could be used for many things. I have no doubt River Rats from the 80's & 90's and before, learned the river in the ways they had. Advancement could mean anything from side imaging, rattling crappie bobber, keep bullies at home for use longer, or just plain out learning the fishs life style and habbits.

Fact is (and I have heard it right from the source) even our own Mn DNR admits to not knowing much of anything about MN flatheads. We have been looking at the what has been presented over the last 3 years and have found some things that make you go "Eh?". We are striving to learn and share at the same time, in detail I might ad. It does come down to the same basic presentation, but does it? You have hook styles, leader lengths, & weight options people are exploring every night.

If flatheads had been just stocked 15-20 years ago, yes, I would buy the idea they are just growing bigger every year. Fact is they have been here all along. Concern for the "let them grow so they can grow" being spread is at the longest (grasping for long) maybe 5 years young. To say catch & release ethic is the answer of why bigger fish are being caught may make a person feel good, but for me the time line of this has no been in place long enough yet. Just me though.

I will give clout to more people being involved in this forum & flathead catfishing. That is a fact. On the other side though, looking back to the summer of 07', we have also lost many anglers I thought would be fishing for flats hardcore still to this day.

I know most times with the basic stuff in regards to flathead catfish, we are just reinventing the wheel, but it seems every time somthing comes back around a new twist is added. Next year who knows what will be had?

To say it only applies to me or that our advancments we share mean nothing as to what is going on is cutting all of use short. It is a combination of things I agree. Not trying to pat anyones back here. Just trying to give credit where credit is do.

[hanson]

Up at the Cat's Incredible Tournament, believe it was 3 years ago now, we were tipping beers in Opie's hotel room with the Montana boys, Rusty, Dennis and Opie. To hear Opie & Dennis talk about what they called "the good old days" on the Minnesota was pretty fun.

Difference now is more anglers and fishing pressure and I don't see that changing, just getting more popular. This does have an impact on how many fish you catch, when, and where. This is probably the biggest issue we have to deal with now compared to the "good old days".

[PoorWordUsage] hits the fan with the economy, your job, and your outlook on life, you gotta cut back where you can. This is not unique to the catfish circle but fishing, outdoor sports, and maybe recreational sports in general. Life has sucked for the last two years for me, thats the bottom line.