hotspots for monster flats

[Oshwa]

I am wanting to get out catfishing for some monster flatheads (30+lbs)i have a few problems..thought someone might be able to help..

1. where to go: I live in winona mn...any place on the mississippi or any river near within 50mins of winona area. I have been on the minn river w/ friends and have caught some nice ones...can i get the same results in my area?

2. NO BOAT i need to find a spot that is accessable by car and/or foot. a nice sandbar connected to land that i can camp on would be awesome!

thxs

[Sandmannd]

Why don't you come out to the KOTC Catfish Get Together and see if they get you on some fish.

[Shack]

I would say just start trying spots. Keep a metal journal or a written one and try those spots again down the road. That is fun thing about fishing; you find the spot and hit a big fish, it is your spot then in a sense. Read back in this forum and you will find every thing you need for ammo to get a big fish.

If it looks good, give it a shot.

Not too many guys in here are from around that area, but there are some.

Good luck!

[ec30_06]

The mississippi has plenty of true monster(50+) flats in it.

[Shack]

I second what Ed said!

For splits and giggles, I looked at an aerial view of that area. My sister went to Winona for college and I have and idea of what the town is (bar, church, bar, church, then bar again ).

Would be an awesome place to use a boat at. A lot of back waters just up stream. I would concentrate from shore in that little town up stream from down town Winona (I forget the name, to many nights hanging in Winona ). Should be some good shore spots around that area.

Good luck

[audemp]

Winona is prime area for monster flats! Just bring a GPS with. It is much harder to find fish when compared to the MN river but I would start targeting side channels off of the main river and some back waters. Also try the dam as well. They have some nice fish pulled from there every year.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[crazyice]

Also, as the season progresses, look to scour holes behind wing dams.

[slipperybob]

It's been a few years since fishing down in Winona area. My problem would be pulling many 5-15# channels long before I get a flathead in that area.

[DTro]

Hot spots for monster flats???

Nowhere near where I've been fishing lately.

Seems like Feast or Famine.......and I'm hungry.

[Mr Special]

"My problem would be pulling many 5-15# channels long before I get a flathead in that area."

Sounds a like a very nice problem to have=)

[aanderud]

"My problem would be pulling many 5-15# channels long before I get a flathead in that area."

Sounds a like a very nice problem to have=)

I agree...some "problem".

I will echo dtro's comments about the fishing having slowed down. But, upgrade monkey will be along tonight and we'll hammer home a couple. It's been a month since I've upgraded!

[Lowblazah]

It's been a month since I've upgraded!

Jeesh you and me both....lots of 5-20lb fish for us lately as well...need another sumo for the board...

[slipperybob]

My problem is hearing about some you guys tangling with fish in excess of 40# plus...LOL's

Fun times...when I was undergunned spinning gear. Now with light crank musky rod and reel, I'm hoping to really give it a test with something in a tug of war. Especially now that I no longer backlash a cast in the dark.

[aanderud]

Was out for the first time in my new-to-me jon boat tonight. Fittingly, John (wwg) outfished Darren and I 5 to 1. Of those fish, only one was over 10 lbs though. Basically dinks. At last I didn't goose-egg on my first outing in the new boat. Thanks for going, guys, it's a good time even if the fish are small.

[Larry FlatCaster]

Was out for the first time in my new-to-me jon boat tonight. Fittingly, John (wwg) outfished Darren and I 5 to 1. Of those fish, only one was over 10 lbs though. Basically dinks. At last I didn't goose-egg on my first outing in the new boat. Thanks for going, guys, it's a good time even if the fish are small.

Sounds like it might have earned a new name last night???? Yeah

"Dink attractor"?!?!?! This wasn't directed at Dtro or John......entirely.

[aanderud]

Originally Posted By: aanderud

Of those fish, only one was over 10 lbs though. Basically dinks. At last I didn't goose-egg on my first outing in the new boat.

Sounds like it might have earned a new name last night???? Yeah

"Dink attractor"?!?!?! This wasn't directed at Dtro or John......entirely.

For now, I'm going to hold off on blaming the boat, and blame the upgrade monkey. I think he's done riding in my boat for a while. I wonder where he ended up last night .

On a more serious note - there are a TON of floating logs. Many more than I expected to see. We had one decent sized one hit the boat and drag us off our anchor position before unhooking itself from us. Then if course it got into 2 of our 3 lines Not big enough to do any damage, but there were others that floated by just outside us that could have. Watch out for that stuff if you're set up on the seam of the main channel current, guys!

[wastewaterguru]

The monkey is going to give me some love tomorrow.

I am planning to have the kids give the monkey the full spa treatment. Pedicure, Manicure, Bikini Wax, etc.

If I give the monkey some love, he will love me back.

[fishinJohn]

Just upgrade its banana.