Flathead first-timer

[Herky2002]

My son is only 7, but he's been bugging me about going out for flatheads ever since seeing some of the pictures you guys posted last year. I picked up some gear yesterday and we plan to head out this weekend for some river shorefishing. I've read all the tips on this site and think I have the basics figured out, although I don't expect much success at first.

Anyway, I was hoping for some help with a few questions:

1. I spooled with 65# PowerPro, and should I tie that directly to the hook, or use a leader? I have some 80# fluorocarbon muskie leaders that I was thinking about using.

2. We will try to catch some bullheads to fish live. We'll also buy some big suckers. For fresh cut bait, do you just hook the sucker as you would live bait, but then slit the belly?

3. Time of day -- is it worth even bothering before evening?

4. Location -- Any suggestions? This time of year, should we cast out as far as we can, or are they in closer to shore?

Thanks in advance! I'll be sure to post pics if we have any luck.

[Surreal Deal]

Herky, as the father of a 7 year-old myself I think that it's a riot that you're getting strong-armed by your boy like that. Way to go, Herky Jr!

I was going to leave my son at home this past Saturday night (I was afraid he'd get rained on and melt or something) but he persisted and talked his way into going. Long story short my son, my father in-law and I (three generations of us) had a great time spending time together ....and catching some fish! We didn't roll in until after midnight. I got lit up by the missus but good for that but it was totally worth it.

Your son will never forget his fishing trips with you.

[aanderud]

For cutbait, there's a million ways to do it, but you definitely don't want the whole minnow on there (unless you're using fatheads or something uber tiny). Here's Steve D's tutorial:

Steve D's Cutbait Tutorial

As for where to fish, find a current break -- rock points, wood snags, etc -- and fish the seam where the fast current meats the slow current. I've caught most of my fish within an easy cast from shore, definitely not out in the middle of the channel.

I would definitely suggest that you throw both a cutbait and a live bait, as you're more inclined to get action for the kiddo. Have fun, and good luck.

[blakeb]

1) the power pro is good, dont use the musky leader, use a leader made out of 50lb + mono or some of your power pro, use a swivel between the two, and make the leader 12-18 inches

2) bullheads are great just use enuf weight that they wont drag your rig around and get snagged, if you choose cut sucker works well, but use chunks golf ball size works well for me, switch em out every twenty minutes so it keep fresh scent, and gets the bait moved around.

3)Time of the day dont matter IMO but the dusk till dark and a while after is a higher percentage time of day

4)location as stated boveis good, dont have to fish deep as they come up shallower too, try to pick unique spots wood is great.

Good luck, have fun come back and report how you end up doing?

you on the miss or minn?

[Herky2002]

Herky, as the father of a 7 year-old myself I think that it's a riot that you're getting strong-armed by your boy like that. Way to go, Herky Jr!

I was going to leave my son at home this past Saturday night (I was afraid he'd get rained on and melt or something) but he persisted and talked his way into going. Long story short my son, my father in-law and I (three generations of us) had a great time spending time together ....and catching some fish! We didn't roll in until after midnight. I got lit up by the missus but good for that but it was totally worth it.

Your son will never forget his fishing trips with you.

SD:

Herky Jr. is a hoot the way he is totally obsessed with fishing. He wants me to pick him up from school every afternoon to go, he wakes me up on weekends at 6:00 a.m. to go, he wears his lucky fishing shirt all weekend long, he's constantly glued to fishing shows on tv, and he wants to be a guide when he grows up. Ice fishing, open water -- he loves it all. I've fished all my life, but this kid is just obsessed.

He's had a lot of success and is getting a bit spoiled on big fish, however. At his age, a successful day for me was a few potato chip sunnies, a bullhead or two, or some creek chubs. This kid has caught decent walleyes, northern, smallies, largemouth, channel cats, and crappies. His goals this summer are to catch a flathead, muskie and sturgeon, and right now he's hounding me about flatheads. I plan to take him out this weekend, and like you, there's no way he'll let us leave early enough to avoid getting lit up by Mrs. Herky when we get home.

Here are a couple pics from our trip over the St. Croix this weekend (16" bass, 30" northern, he landed both):

He's got a scrapbook with pictures of all his big catches in it. You are absolutely right -- these are days we will both cherish forever!

[Surreal Deal]

Great looking kid, Herky - That Northern is almost as big as he is!

Enjoy your time together out on the water. The other guys on here are giving you good advice re: location and presentation. If you're specifically targeting flatheads then you probably want to keep at least one live bait (Bullhead or sucker) in the water. If you want to temper that with some action from other species you should take aanderud's advice and keep one of each.

It looks like you've fished the St. Croix before so just a reminder that it is a border water and you are entitled to use two lines each. (If you're fishing the MN or the 'Sip upstream of the St. Croix confluence inland water rules apply and you can only use one line each.) So if you want to up your odds you may want to fish the St. Croix.

Good luck Herky and Herky Jr.!