Fishing for Flatheads on the MN River (Advice needed!)

[PakAttack86]

So I've never been flathead fishing before, but I've read up on it so I want to give it a try. I'm limited with my tackle to an 8 foot pole with an extra large spinning reel that has 30 pound test line. I know that's lighter than what a lot of flathead fisherman use but I think I can manage.

I'll be fishing from shore beneath a bridge where the current doesn't seem especially strong, and there's two forms of structure; one being a cluster of fallen trees and logs to my left, and the other being the pillars of the bridge. I'm thinking I should be casting near the fallen trees.

Is a carolina rig the best to use? I have that option for live bait, and I also have a Pompano rig setup that I'm thinking could work too for cut bait. As for timing I hear night is the best, so I'm going to try fishing between 8pm and 11pm, is that a good time?

Thanks for the advice!

[jstrommen13]

Anytime I have fished it we camped out all night fishing them. I have always used live creek chubs or bullheads but if you can't get them best is to use decoy size suckers from your local bait store. We always used the same concept as Carolina rigging. Best would be to cast by the logs but try not to let the fish get into the trees as he will tangle and you will have to cut the line. Seen many fish lost above a log jam. Good luck!!

[Scott M]

No sense reinventing the wheel. Check this out:

[aanderud]

So I've never been flathead fishing before, but I've read up on it so I want to give it a try. I'm limited with my tackle to an 8 foot pole with an extra large spinning reel that has 30 pound test line. I know that's lighter than what a lot of flathead fisherman use but I think I can manage.

I'll be fishing from shore beneath a bridge where the current doesn't seem especially strong, and there's two forms of structure; one being a cluster of fallen trees and logs to my left, and the other being the pillars of the bridge. I'm thinking I should be casting near the fallen trees.

Is a carolina rig the best to use? I have that option for live bait, and I also have a Pompano rig setup that I'm thinking could work too for cut bait. As for timing I hear night is the best, so I'm going to try fishing between 8pm and 11pm, is that a good time?

Thanks for the advice!

Cast in several locations, don't limit yourself to one. If the bait isn't getting hit or isn't getting excited even, move it after 20 or 30 minutes. The rigging and gear are pretty easy, just a swivel about 12 to 18 inches above a hook, and a sliding sinker above that. Weight depends on current. Probably 4 to 8 ounces with live bait from shore, just use whatever it takes to keep on the bottom. Times vary but your 8 to 11 should net you something. You might get into some daytime flatheads too so don't be afraid to start a bit earlier, maybe 6 or 7 --- or stay out later. Some of my biggest fish have come between midnight and 2 am.

[delcecchi]

Interesting looking videos. Now subscribed and will watch with chromecast...

[aanderud]

Interesting looking videos. Now subscribed and will watch with chromecast...

Be careful, Del -- soon you'll be selling the place on Vermillion and buying a houseboat on the Mississippi and chasing cats in your spare time! On the other hand, why not keep both the place on V and the houseboat on the 'sippi.

[delcecchi]

Only about 40 minutes to river from Rochester. Let's see, Vermilion, River, Trout Streams... Smallies on the Root. I wonder how far downstream on the Zumbro I would have to go to get into catfish?

[DARK30]

A little futher down the sippi and you could get the Blues too

[delcecchi]

I thought blue cats were a good ways downstream. But just being in Iowa might give me the blues.

[DTro]

Hey Del, thanks for the sub!

Those were a couple of my first vids, I stumbled and bumbled through them.

I'd rather do vids of catching fish instead of demonstrating how we catch them, but I had so many PM's through YT, I wanted to quick link to something instead of typing it over and over again.

[delcecchi]

For some reason I would rather watch a fishing video that is instructional rather than the "O Son, it's a big old fish" Get the Frabill etc type videos. Just my personal preference.

Watching someone else catch fish.....