when do flatheads spawn

[South_Metro_Slayer]

when do flatheads spawn, and do they shallow up, and how shallow will they go?

[dps]

Flatheads will FEED in as little as 1' of water. I know they spawn in 5'-15' depths for sure, maybe deeper, possibly shallower. The flats will spawn starting from now, to mid-late july. The peak of the spawn around the general metro is usually around the 1st-2nd week of July. They spawn on cut bank structures usually subject to some current.

This year the water is very warm, anything can happen.

[sparcebag]

Do they have a AVG. water temp.to spawn??

[rushing]

The spawn has moved up a week or two due to our early season start. Got a 36lb male last night that was leaking sperm when we landed it.

[DTro]

Thanks for the confirmation Rob. It's very easy for everyone to throw out guesses and theories, but I'll take that report over any of them

[Cooter]

How bout the same question for channels?

[DTro]

They generally will spawn at a slightly cooler water. Best guesses put the spawn as past tense already this year. I haven't seen any spoo though

[South_Metro_Slayer]

thanks guys I'll be hitten the river hard from here on out till I die so thats good to know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DTro]

Our fish tonight were very skinny as well as reports from others in the league. They are either in the process of dropping or have dropped.

[Scott M]

72 degrees or thereabouts for flatheads and channels.

Just got word of some spawning activity kicking in. Just when things were starting to peak, the fish will get other things on their mind and slow their feeding down

[mplspug]

Has anyone noticed battle wounds? I thought we always saw some wounds right around the spawn, but I haven't seen any fish pictures with that evidence. I hope a spring can't be so screwy that it messes with their physiology and that perhaps more than the normal estimated 20% don't spawn (I think that's the number they throw out there).

[Larry FlatCaster]

Has anyone noticed battle wounds? I thought we always saw some wounds right around the spawn, but I haven't seen any fish pictures with that evidence. I hope a spring can't be so screwy that it messes with their physiology and that perhaps more than the normal estimated 20% don't spawn (I think that's the number they throw out there).

I think like the bite.. when the water temp hit 70+ all that are able will go into spawn. You haven't seen any pics of recent fish in the last week..

I would be interested in hearing more on your 20% theory

[Shack]

I have been doing some research this season on the “cat fish spawn”. What I have found is the magical water temp numbers for the spawn in a good/normal year is 72-75 deg… The males rule the roost and chase off the females (at least with flats). They build nests and flats will even use their mouths to build the nests. The females go off and do their normal thing and the males stays and protect the young for about a week or so. Channels are the fish that is most prone to aggressive behavior. I have caught post spawn channels that have open wounds and sores to the head. Plus they are skinny as a rail. Kind of sick looking. Some of my best channels night (as far as numbers) have been post spawn nights. They seem to put the great old feed bag on and start building bulk for the winter months. It is a shame though, a 15lb fish could have been a 18lb fish pre-spawn or in the fall time.

As far as the 20% thing. I am sure there are a number of fish that fall to reproductive issues like us humans. Plus, some that can reproduce just decide not to or do not want to. The conditions might just not be correct for them in their life styles. 20% seem a little high though, but who really knows.

I would hate to interfere with a post spawn male flat. For some reason they serve a protective purpose and the last thing I would want to do cause issues while they are caring for their young.

I think why we see this lull during and after the spawn, is because of a major shift in the flats life patterns. They still need to eat to some point, but they are not in the spots they where prior to the spawn. I think, flats are still eating some where’s.

I also have put some of my theories to test about the pre-spawn bite action that has been going on. I think it is not to far from us humans and the Sigmund Freud theory. Bigger the better! The bigger a male flat makes him self look, translates into a better chance of mating. I will throw in the possible fact of sustenance. During the riggers of the spawn, this is major stock up time (pre-spawn) for both female and male flats.

All I know is with this high water we have going on, I can not wait for a couple weeks down the road. On the Miss. North, the channels will school up after spawning in a predicted area. That is when a 20-30 fish nights are not out of the question. A channel is a channel when counting . bigger bait means bigger fish

In the end, we think we may know, but do we really know .

[mplspug]

Originally Posted By: mplspug

Has anyone noticed battle wounds? I thought we always saw some wounds right around the spawn, but I haven't seen any fish pictures with that evidence. I hope a spring can't be so screwy that it messes with their physiology and that perhaps more than the normal estimated 20% don't spawn (I think that's the number they throw out there).

I think like the bite.. when the water temp hit 70+ all that are able will go into spawn. You haven't seen any pics of recent fish in the last week..

I would be interested in hearing more on your 20% theory

I just saw a picture. Time to get out the bass'en gear.

The 20% theory is not mine. I read it in one of the studies that have floated through these forums.

I did not find anything with a quick search of the 4 studies I have downloaded. It very well could have been the voices in my head.

Best Link I Could Find...and It's Dead

I assume by the title though, they are referring to a study. I am pretty sure my 20% number is a bit of an exaggeration. I am a fisherman. It happens.

[Slowhand]

I am sure there are a number of fish that fall to reproductive issues like us humans. Plus, some that can reproduce just decide not to or do not want to.

Female Catfish: " I got a headache, leave me alone."

I like the theory. I always wondered why if you take two fish of the same approximate size and why one might fight harder than the other. Answer: The harder fightn didnt get any.

[mplspug]

Originally Posted By: shackbash

I am sure there are a number of fish that fall to reproductive issues like us humans. Plus, some that can reproduce just decide not to or do not want to.

Female Catfish: " I got a headache, leave me alone."

I like the theory. I always wondered why if you take two fish of the same approximate size and why one might fight harder than the other. Answer: The harder fightn didnt get any.

I have no problem horsing a fish in. I guess it goes both ways.