im a beginner, what do i all need??

[Tyler23]

i wanted to get started in fishing for flat head catfish. i have some buddies and cuz's that do it and it sounds like a blast!! what do all i need to get started??? i live about a mile away from the minnesota river and would probley be fishing from shore.

[wastewaterguru]

Well....

You need a rod. Preferrably a 7 or 8 foot medium heavy. I would start out with a heavy, cheap, glass rod.

You need a reel. Something with some line capacity. Preferably with a bait clicker. Some guys like baitcasters, some like spinning. If you are shorebound.....you will find that a spinning reel is more casting friendly especially if your angles are impeded.

You need line. 40 pound or heavier braided or 20 pound or heavier mono. The mono has more stretch so you can get away with a little less of a rating.

You need to rig. Main line through a 3 to 5 ounce sinker of choice then tied to a swivel. Then put about a 12 inch leader to your hook. Hook size needs to match whatever bait you are using. I usually use 7/0 through 9/0 kahles.

You need bait. You can buy suckers, catch creek chubs, catch bullheads, catch live frogs, etc. etc. Make sure you learn the regulations on bait if you plan to catch yourself.

Number one recommendation.....is to have an outing with an experienced catfisherman and pay attention.

[KMR85]

there is a good thread at the top of this forum.

[katchaser]

Quote:

Number one recommendation.....is to have an outing with an experienced catfisherman and pay attention.

You need to observe flathead fishing and then

determine which tackle will best suit your needs.

Attempting to get tackle before you know how to catch

the flathead will only make more frustration. I

always determine what I need tackle to do before I

decide what tackle works best in each situation.

Most veteran flathead fishermen will tell you that

fishing for trophy flathead can be frustrating.

This is what makes catching them so rewarding.

[rushing]

"im a beginner, what do i all need??"

Patience and Perseverance

[Shack]

Welcome dude!

Do not give up, listen to the guys above and stick with it. It has to pay off in the end and it will!

[jkjkoda]

a little luck does'nt Hurt either!!!!!

[Here-Kitty-Kitty]

Hey its so frustrating when you go night after night with no fish in the boat. Then that one night is like magic. It can be only one fish or its ten fish, but man it hooks you for life.

[rockingroy]

Read all of the threads here, especially Catfishing For Beginners (read all 13 pages of that one) and you will feel like you have a pretty good idea. After that, finding fish is the next challenge. Once you find them nothing teaches better than trial and error. The old adage that experience is the best teacher is true. I fish channels not flatheads due to location, and have never fished with an experienced cat man, but the lessons I have learned on this site have proved invaluable. THANKS GUYS.