New to catfish

[KMR85]

Hey guys I have not fished for catfish on purpose before, but it sounds fun. I am going to get started tonight hopefully. My only question is have any of you tried fishing flatheads during the daytime or do you mostly do it after dark? Gonna give the minnesota river near mankato a try. thanks everyone.

[KMR85]

I almost forgot, do you think fathead minnows would work for bait? I have a some left from opener and want to use them up. If not, do any baitshops carry bullies? I live in Mankato, so if anyone knows where to get some let me know. thanks again everyone.

[sparcebag]

By reading these forums you live in the area where must catters here fish they could help you better than me but I'll try!I have caught flats daytime all smaller most of mine are after midnight but I'm way upstream.Get some bigger bait maybe suckers if ya cant find bullies,I'm gonna try sheepheads this year to see if there any good,but I always use bullies.I have caught them on cut bait,and your chance'es of channles would be better on it.I'm sure some area guys will reply to your post but if not you have some vague advice.GOOD LUCK!! PS I just read some good reports of the blue earth river below rip.dam.

[harvey lee]

I would try Bullheads, suckers or creek chubs as they will all work along with cut bait. Fromwhat I have seen from most if not all the catters in the area, bullies are the bait used by the majority. Last year I did have some luck on suckers and creek chubs.

I go to the lake and catch all my bullheads for the flatheads. I keep them in a tank in the garage with two air stones and they do very well. Also, I do change my water every three to four days and add some chemical to reduce the chlorine in the city water.

[sparcebag]

Harvey ya think bullies are prefered bait cause most other fish wont take em?? Or do flats really prefer them??

[hanson]

Quote:

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Harvey ya think bullies are prefered bait cause most other fish wont take em?? Or do flats really prefer them??

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I think they are a preferred bait for anglers.

I'm not sure that a flathead prefers a bullhead anymore than it prefers a sucker, carp, sheephead, walleye, sauger, bass, etc.

Bullheads are very hardy and fight like mad when you put them on a hook. Thats what the appeal is for me. This struggling action is what sucks the flatheads in to investigate and thus eat the bullhead.

Guys down south use big Goldfish for flatheads and do very, very well on them. Obviously goldfish aren't native to the rivers but they must have certain qualities that attract a flathead's attention. Bluegill is another choice bait down south that we can't use here.

[Scott K]

Fishing for flats during the daytime can be very productive. Deep holes, and snag piles are where you will find the majority of them in the daytime. Fish each spot for 20 minutes if you dont catch anything move on to the next spot. At night they like to cruise up and down shallower sand bars, and creek mouths, searching for bait fish.

In my expierence with them, live bait is the best. I will usually trap or catch my own creek chubs for bait. I prefer creek chubs over suckers, or shiners because they seem to live longer. Fishing with bullheads is new to me in the last couple years, they keep alive alot longer, and stay more active with a hook in them. But I still have better luck with a creek chub.

I have best luck with about a 5-8" bait in the colder river water( under 70 degrees), but in the dog days I will fish with upto and sometimes over 13" bait.

If you put some time in to it, it will pay off.

Good luck!

[KMR85]

Thanks for all the information. Its a good thing i havent gone out yet or I would have missed these tips. Hopefully the rain holds off tonight, or I will have to see what happens tomorrow. Thanks again everyone!

[aanderud]

Wow, 13 inch bait! That's huge! Geesh. I think they're going to relax the rules on bullies a bit this summer, maybe....up to 9 inches or something?

[KMR85]

well everyone i am glad to say i got my first flathead. not huge by any means, but it was still fun(around 5-6lbs). now to try and better that this weekend.