Flathead rigs

[Moneymurphy]

What do you guys use for flathead rigs? Also, I have 80lb powerpro on my rod, do I need like a fluorocarbon leader or not?

[Gordie]

80lb PP is fine and I run a no roll on the line then a bead then barrle swivel to PP 80lb leader (about 12-18 inches) to hook I do not use momo or FC leaders I use what ever line that I have on my spool

[rushing]

Everything you ever wanted to know and then some can be found by looking through older posts.

[SteveD]

I do the same as Gordy. I run 65# HiVis PowerPro on all my reels. When I change line I save the old line and use it to make leaders. I pre-tie leaders so I am not fumbling around in the dark and make a variety of lengths but I usually use from 3" to 12". The more current and cover the shorter the leader. I make leaders out of HiVis PowerPro because they are easier to see in the dark - after catching a nice fish you will usually have a snarled mess in the bottom of the boat and the HiVis line makes it easier to sort things out and get untangled. Don't worry about the cats seeing the line - you don't need flourocarbon - they are not leader shy and are more focused on eating than anything else.

[blakeb]

i run 50 lb mono leaders, more than one way to skin a cat

[CarpinMNRiver]

I have 65lb Sufix braid and have been using 25lb big game for a leader. I have broke the leader twice in the past 2 trips to large cats. I think I need to upgrade.

Do you have a hard time busting loose from snags using PP for a leader?

[MinnesnowtaWild]

I used to use 30 lb Big Game for a leader and learned quickly that was not enough. I just simply use my main line for leaders. Like SteveD, I save my old line and use it for making leaders and then I pre tie all my rigs (some w/ octopus hooks, some w/ circles, some long, some short).

Breaking off 80 lb Suffix or PowerPro can sometimes be difficult, but normally it will break right at one of the knots. With a spinner, hold the spool and walk straight backwards while pointing the rod tip at the snag. With a caster get a stick or a wooden dowel and wrap the line around it and pull until it breaks. Most of the time this will pull the snag loose for me and I get everything back.

Last week I snagged something and pulled and pulled and it finally came lose...I reeled it up and there was 5 feet of barbed wire.

[SteveD]

Do you have a hard time busting loose from snags using PP for a leader?

Make yourself a Snag Buster and keep it handy and you won't have any trouble busting loose from snags:

Just cut yourself a short length of dowel, wrap it a few times with some tape to help hold the line, when you get hung up just give yourself about 6 feet of slack, snug up on the line until it is tight, wrap it around the dowel and tug until the line breaks or pulls loose. Simple & easy & you don't tear up your hands from the line.

[mrklean]

i have used water bottles when i had nothing else laying around

[Jeffreyyy]

nothing like feeling something tug on your bait and ya go to set the hook and all you get back is your weight and empty line. leaders are key.

as for the snag buster, steve that looks handy, i think i saw that posted elsewhere also. i think maybe my wife has something similar :? i however always got an empty bottle of coors handy to yank them suckers loose.

[CarpinMNRiver]

I think I will just start using braided for my leaders. Any good knot suggestions? I guess that is just part of the catfishing learning curve. It is nice being less than 5 minutes away from the Shakopee access. I can have the boat on the water in 15 minutes when I want to go out so it is easy to put my time in. Nightfishing sure messes up the sleep schedule though.

[Alagnak]

Losing fish on 25lb test should NOT be part of the learning curve. You should have read back a few posts!!!!!!!!

Yeah I use braid the same strength or sometimes just one notch down. The lightest I use for mono around rocks is 50 and for channel cats I use 25-30 usually but thats just me.

I think I will just start using braided for my leaders. Any good knot suggestions? I guess that is just part of the catfishing learning curve. It is nice being less than 5 minutes away from the Shakopee access. I can have the boat on the water in 15 minutes when I want to go out so it is easy to put my time in. Nightfishing sure messes up the sleep schedule though.

[DTro]

I started messing with mono a bit this year for a leader. I will never use anything below 50lb. I'm kind of leary even using that.

[CarpinMNRiver]

I was fishing for channels with cutbait and circles. I just need to up the leader size. Lost 2 fish when the fish bit when in the rod holder. The knots did not fail, line just snapped. Careless mistake.

[SteveD]

I think I will just start using braided for my leaders. Any good knot suggestions?

You will get a variety of responses to leaders and knots. It is all a matter of personal confidence in your line and leader connection knots. I prefer a snell knot on all my hooks to the leader. I've never had a snell knot fail on a leader. I can tie a snell knot with my eyes closed so it is my knot of choice.

Most cat guys use swivels to connect to their main line but I like to use snap swivels so I can change a leader quickly and easily. I use about a 1/0 snap swivel that I tie to my main line with a Palomar knot. I just tie a loop knot on the end of my leader and hang the leader on the snap swivel. I have never had a problem with a snap swivel nor have I ever had a loop knot fail on any of my leaders. I'm just confident in those connections and they have always worked for me so that is what I use. It is an easy rig to make in the dark and you can change up leaders easily.

[Larry FlatCaster]

I started messing with mono a bit this year for a leader. I will never use anything below 50lb. I'm kind of leary even using that.

Ive been using mono leaders for as long as I've been catfishing. 40-50lb

I would rather use mono vs. braid, personal preference. One little bonus is its alot easier to untangle if things get twisted.

Never had any issues that would want to make me change.

I like the little bit of give and the abrasion resistance.

[pureinsanity]

I started with 80lb PP. Than I found a deal on 100lb PP. So I am now currently running 100lb PP on my reels. I use the old 80lb as my leader. This way when and if I snag I will only lose my hook, not my weight. It has worked well for me. Id rather lose a hook over a weight anyday!

[wooduck26]

I use 80# for my main line, and 40# BigCat for the leader. Ive landed fish pushing 5o# on this set up and have hand no issues with break off's....even when forcing fish out of cover! Be sure your knots are solid, and there are no knicks, or rough spots in your leader.....40# line is VERY strong...try to break it once!

[TruthWalleyes]

I started with 80lb PP. Than I found a deal on 100lb PP. So I am now currently running 100lb PP on my reels. I use the old 80lb as my leader. This way when and if I snag I will only lose my hook, not my weight. It has worked well for me. Id rather lose a hook over a weight anyday!

Got snagged on sunday and straightened my 8/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hook before my 80# PP would break!

[phishnerd]

I have had better success with mono leaders and circle hooks. In the past I have had quite a few fish pop off when I was using PP leaders and circle hooks. I don't know if it's due to fast hook movement in the fishes mouth or just bad ju-ju but I am more confident with mono and circles. I can however see the value in PP leaders and J hooks. When you really need to put the corn into that hook set PP would ceratinly do the job!

[keepitreal]

Wow. I don't see how you guys keep your cool when you lose hooks and tackle to snags that stuff drives me insane!

[TruthWalleyes]

Wow. I don't see how you guys keep your cool when you lose hooks and tackle to snags that stuff drives me insane!

Half the time i cast it is into a snag and my bait isn't going to come out unless a fish takes it! I just plan on loosing a bunch of gear everytime!

[riverrat56]

Wow. I don't see how you guys keep your cool when you lose hooks and tackle to snags that stuff drives me insane!

You better find a new hobby then bud, it's all part of the game of fishing on a river. I could care less how many hooks, swivels, and sinkers I lose in a year as long as the motor stays running and comes back with a prop still intact...

[TruthWalleyes]

[quote name='riverrat56

You better find a new hobby then bud' date=' it's all part of the game of fishing on a river. I could care less how many hooks, swivels, and sinkers I lose in a year as long as the motor stays running and comes back with a prop still intact... [/quote']

+1

When i get back to the landing Skunked or not, i'm just happy everything is still intact!

Lost Hooks...Ha

[DTro]

lol, I don't even lose my cool after shredding up a perfectly good prop anymore. Just a shrug.