How To Catch Flathead Catfish On Trotline

I know this might sound like the gear is a little much for freshwater fishing but flathead cats have huge mouths and your baits should be large too.

How to catch flathead catfish on trotline. I have only caught a 9 pound flathead on a trotline. The bait used was a live goldfish on a Gamakatsu octopus circle hook 70. Set the egg weight about 6 inches above the hook and peg it there with a toothpick or by crimping a split shot underneath.

I want some tips on where to set a my lines to maximize my chances of catching a 10 pound channel cat or flathead. The shallower water that these raises may serve flatheads and other catfish subspecies very well as they pursue food at night. Of gamefish 67 were hooked in the stomach or throat with J-hooks compared to only 18 with circle hooks.

Jul 14 2012 I fish in a small river or large creek that is a tributary to a large river. A 60 straight hook wont give you half the holding power that a 60 circle hook will provide. See fishing methods in Chapter 6 of the Wildlife Code.

This guide will teach you how to fish for catfish and the multiple techniques used for targeting them. Live bait is the way to go to catch flathead catfish on a trotline. Theyre that good and definitely worth the extra cost.

10-20 of them which are lengths of fishing line that are tied to the main trotline. Jan 27 2016 Its the second trip of the year and we finally put a flathead catfish in the boat. Aug 19 2009 Lets start off with the flathead catfishNow you all have undoubtedly heard that the best time to catch flatheads is at night right.

Per run even if you dont use the new trotline model is to switch to circle hooks. For huge flatheads a 6-inch or bigger bream or shad is best. Then youll space drops.