Catfish'n Pics!

[Fish'n guy]

I have just been stockpiling the pictures on my camera lately so I figured I might share some with you. Enjoy!!

Me and a 24lber caught near St. Peter a few weeks ago

Me and a 16lber caught near St. Peter

Joe and his 1st flathead ever and man is he addicted !! He has caught 6 flattys since then.

Joe with the big Gar!!!

Travis with a 12lber

And John with a nice Channel Cat!!

Go Catch'em now!!

[Andrew Erickson]

awesome fish man!

[Fish'n guy]

Thanks Andrew!!

[MidCoast]

Nice fish.. Just a question there, are people willing to eat catfishes that big?

[hanson]

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Nice fish.. Just a question there, are people willing to eat catfishes that big?

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I think I can safely answer for the majority of people here... No.

Most of us pursue flathead catfish for the sport, and they are released. They can be an extremely difficult fish to catch at times. There are many nights fishing them where you don't even get a fish in the boat, sometimes getting a bite is even tricky.

For table fare, I would say that most folks agree that 3-5 lb channel cats are delicious. I have no problem keeping channel cats of this size to eat. Anything larger than that gets released along with 100% of the flathead catfish I catch.

BTW- Nice fish guys!

[Fish'n guy]

I agree that the flatheeads are strictly C&R!!

Thanks

[mplspug]

Flatheads taste like liver, beets, cauliflower, spinach and castor oil all-in-one. At least that's what I heard. If your looking for eating cats, your better off with the little channels like it has been stated. Either that or cook up your left over flathead bait (Bullheads). There's a reason flatheads like'em you know.

[nitefisher]

but you guys know there are the ones that can't be released because they are injured to bad. this is what i do with those. flay them and soak over night in salted water the next day i rinse them and pat dry with paper towel and season with lemon pepper and your choice of seasonings then slice some onion and a couple lemon slices wrap in tin foil and cook on the grill. put a coulpe small holes in foil for steam to release. man is it good.

[harvey lee]

I dont have to worry about the C&R of the flatheads as I seem to have a very low hooking percentage with these creatures.As far as eating them,there are probably better fish to eat than a 40# flathead.I do like to eat smaller channels.

[hanson]

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I dont have to worry about the C&R of the flatheads as I seem to have a very low hooking percentage with these creatures.

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Hate to say it but that is the name of the game I guess. I bet my hooking percentage is like 20% this year (maybe less)when comparing fish landed to setting the hook on decent runs. Some day I'll start taking detailed notes so I'll know how bad I really am doing.

[harvey lee]

There has got to be a way to get at least a 50% hooking rate.More research to be done.I really dislike feeling that big fish for only a few seconds and then nothing.I guess thats what keeps a guy going back.I WILL get him yet.

[rushing]

I have been missing alot of fish latley myself. Only a couple of the fish were in the larger range. Most of the fish I have been missing have been tiny flats, ones so small(under 5lbs) they are only holding the bully in their mouths. Weak jerky runs, mostly rod bouncers. When I engage the reel I feel them let go and I get my bully back. I swear we found the flathead version of a preschool. Lots of small fish caught and even more runs missed. I have missed a few nice fish. We had been fishin this other spot next to some fast water and every fish hops right into the fast water as soon as they grab the bully and ziiiinnnnngggg goes the clicker. They are moving so fast I think when I engage the reel the circle hook pops out of the bully with such force it just goes flying right out their mouths. But I tell ya, when you do hook a fish and they are in that current they are fun to reel in!

[mplspug]

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but you guys know there are the ones that can't be released because they are injured to bad.

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Well if I ever get one hooked in the gills where I know it's over for her, I'll absolutely eat her. That's usually the only fish I eat are ones I know won't make it. I'd feel more guilty not eating it.