Flathead Catfish Fishing Techniques

Finding Them

Look for flathead catfish in large rivers and lakes. Adults are found in deep slow pools near submerged cover including undercut banks. They prefer gravel or hard sandy bottom. At night they will move into shallow water to feed. A solitary fish, it is rare to find more than three adults in one cover spot. Sometimes adult flatheads will lay on the hard bottom of a river with their mouths open. Frightened fish have been observed swimming into the mouths of flathead catfish when they are laying like this.

Bait

Unlike blue and channel catfish, flatheads are rarely taken on stink baits, chicken liver or other dead odorous baits. They are highly effective predators that seldom scavenge. They feed mostly on live fish and crayfish. Any fish up to about a pound that inhabits the water is fair game, including shad, sunfish and other catfish. You will need to check your local fishing regulations before using sunfish for bait because in some locales this practice is not permitted.

When to Catch Them

Flathead catfish are mostly nocturnal feeders so the best time to seek them is during nighttime hours. They have been taken on overcast days and days with heavy rainfall when the water has become dark.

Tackle

Any rod and reel will work for catching smaller flatheads. However, if you are going for the big fish you will need the tackle for the job. A 7-foot medium or medium/heavy action rod with either a bait casting or spinning reel capable of holding 200 yards of 15 to 20 lb test monofilament would be the rod and reel of choice, giving increased casting distance and the leverage needed to control the fish.