Flats on a Float

[Blue Kayak]

Finally a report about me catching something and not just fishing for something. It took a totally different approach for me to start catching flats on my own. Previously, all my flats have been caught with the BPCL, but this weekend I landed five, and all were caught using a float.

My first flat was Friday morning at the mouth of a creek. I was just using a bullhead with no sinker and the hook was about 14 inches from the float. The water was shallow, and it was caught about 5:30 AM before the sun rose. I did not measure it, but it was about 27 inches.

Saturday night I got another flat about 23 inches; this time in the kayak. I was tied up to a snag and fishing in a pretty strong backcurrent eddy. The water level was quite high and there were lots of rocks but not much timber. For the first two flats I was using a 10/0 Gami Octopus hook. The second flat swallowed it deep and I decided to try circle hooks. In my notes I had written that the float was set at about 8 feet and the depth was 10 to 11 feet. However, I think the depths may have been shallower. But the bullhead could move freely without snagging on the bottom.

Sunday night I caught three flats with the kayak tied to the same snag as Saturday. The river is falling, and the depth at the kayak was 3 1/2 feet. My float was set at 4 feet, and the bullheads never snagged the bottom. I just let the float drift about 15 to 20 feet from the kayak. The first (only about 16 inches) was caught around sunset. The other two were caught before the full moon rose, probably by 9:30. They were about 30 and 33 inches.

The circle hook was given to me by an angler at the Carver landing. It is thick, red, and no offset. It may be Daiichi "Bleeding Bait" circle. The bullheads were hooked perpindicularly between the dorsal and adipose fin. All three flats were hooked in the corner of their mouths.

Sunday night the flats were very aggressive with the bobbers suddenly going down or the clicker screaming. I am hoping that the combination of the float, sinker, and circle hook actually hooks the flat and gets him running. Carp anglers in Europe use a "bolt rig" which is a heavy sinker and a circle hook. The heavy sinker provides the initial hook set and gets the carp running.

My floats were white balloons inflated about four inches. There also was a 3 ounce no roll sinker to get the bait down. I run my line through a 1/4 inch tube about 3 inches long and the balloon is tied to the tubing. This makes slip style float that can be removed or installed without having to retie any knots. A rubber band is used for a stop, but a bead and bobber stop would be better.

There are some advantages to using floats:

It's easier to detect the bite.

You don't have to worry about snags or line abrasion. This was a rocky area. Earlier in the day I had been fishing with frogs and small circle hooks for channels. The rocks here really took a toll on the circle hook points and the line. If you're getting snags in rocky areas, check you points frequently. Circle hooks seem especially prone to the points getting bent over.

You can control where the bait goes and float it right up against a snag.

You don't have to cast which is hard on the bait. Not only for the obvious trauma, but casting also makes the hook hole larger so it is easier for your bait to be taken off the hook before the hook can be set. There also is less chance the circle hook will double back and bury the hook point in the bait.

[hanson]

Good Stuff Jerry!

[harvey lee]

Sounds like you have started to get the float type fishing figured out Jerry. I have one float and it looks like I may need to try it.

I have the float and now all I need is the Kayak. That might not be a recipe for me being in a kayak on the river.

[hanson]

Quote:

---

That might not be a recipe for me being in a kayak on the river.

---

I would pay money to see that!

[harvey lee]

That would cost a few hondo's Chris as the cost needed for rescue squads to save my --- would run into some serious dollars.

I say put in the boat where I belong.

[rushing]

I use floats quite often for flats. Stick with a circle hook, 8/0 gami's is what I use for live or cut bait, the fish tend to hook themselves when pulling the bobber under. Also save those no rolls for bottom fishing and get some 3oz egg sinkers. The no rolls act like little sails and get caught in the current. Bobber fishin for flats is a blast! I got a couple nice ones last summer, largest being a 33lber.

[Flaco651]

I've had a Catfish Stalker bobber for a year and haven't used it yet. I planned on giving it a shot in the eddies in the early season but didn't. Eventually there wasn't much flow and I forgot about the idea. Now there are plenty of eddies to try it out. Might have to give it a shot this week. Good info!

[Larry FlatCaster]

Blue Kayak!!!

promoted to Float master.

Hey mate next time you got an open seat let me know!!

Nice work on the numbers of Flats! I remember the look on your face the first time you saw one live.

A tip of the hat Mate!

Love hearing your methods, you've paid your dues and I have to say at a time when others are struggling. Your turning on the shine!!!

thanks

LFC

[DTro]

Sure is nice to see folks trying unique presentations.

You guys perfect the method and then the rest of us can steal if from you

Nice report Jerry

[aanderud]

Jerry, that was a sweet report. After all the 0s I've seen lately, good to see someone's hitting them hard! Solid action.

How do you convince yourself to wake up early enough to get "before sunrise" flatheads?

[Shack]

Nice post jerry

It is one of those things you think about and just end up not doing. I have noticed some of the flat kings on here use those yellow floats and just have never have yet gotten around to doing it.

One thing I learned in the Infisherman cat book, is the use of floats and the use of a bobber about a 1/2 foot or foot back on line from bait. This is supposed to raise bait off of bottom and get it in a good area. I still have not tried this either.

Again, nice post!

I allways say "the next trip". You get down and start fishing with same old river rig.

[rushing]

Here's a little 22lber that fell for a bully under a bobber tonight. Not only is getting a flathead with a bobber a blast but I also got to break in the new rod I just built.

[sparcebag]

Nice lookin rod,What reel ya usin??Wow and look at that float it is a float?? yellow??

[Flaco651]

Quote:

---

What reel ya usin??

---

Looks like the 7001

[hanson]

Nice Rob!!

That yellow thing is a float, called a Katfish Bobber. They make various sizes but that one's about the size of a pop can. They work great with circle hooks since the resistance from the bobber "sets" the hook when the fish hits.

Rod looks sharp too! And the reel is a 7001i (lefty) Garcia.

[rushing]

Yep thats a Abu 7001i and the yelllow thing, like Hanson said is a KatBobber.

[Lowblazah]

Rushing,

How do you keep that bobber placed where you cast it when shore fishing...wouldnt the current sweep it to the shore?

[rushing]

You work eddies and you have to position yourself in the right area so you get the right drift without constantly having to mend your line so it doesn't get tangled. It can be really frustrating at times but once you figure it out it can and often will reward you. Another way of doing it is drifting the bobber up next to a snag and use enough weight to keep your bait down near where you want it.

[DTro]

Quote:

---

Rushing,

How do you keep that bobber placed where you cast it when shore fishing...wouldnt the current sweep it to the shore?

---

Think eddy

[Catfishunter]

sounds like the same tech. that i use for steelhead, extra long rods and floting mono line sure helps for mending the line.