Speed Kills... Daytime Flatheads
Posted by Spencer Bauer on 1st Aug 2021
Speed Kills... Daytime Flatheads
Patience is a virtue, at least that’s what they say. I’m not sure who “they” are. Apparently no one who’s tried to consistently catch daytime flatheads. If you can pull that feat off, you know patience is the last thing you want.
Patience is a virtue, at least that’s what they say. I’m not sure who “they” are. Apparently no one who’s tried to consistently catch daytime flatheads. If you can pull that feat off, you know patience is the last thing you want.
The idea behind it
The more I target flatheads during the day, the more I realize getting comfortable is the worst thing I can do. I used to have a fairly loose rule of 15-20 minutes per spot. That still plays out, especially if I’m fishing with a buddy and I get to running my mouth a little too much. Hey, it happens. When I’m by myself, no bait sits in the same spot for more than 10 minutes at a time. Period. When the bite happens, often it happens right away.
If there is one thing I’ve learned about these critters, it’s that the idea of them setting up shop in the deepest, most cover-laden spot isn’t always how it shakes out. Almost any nook or cranny can hold a fish, even a big fish. Moving doesn’t always mean moving the boat, rather recasting or bouncing a bait into a different part of the cover.
location
I’m a fan of fishing wood structure, especially in small streams. However, slab concrete can be excellent, especially in June and July. Drop offs produce fish too. The steeper, the better. Try them all, just don’t give any spot too much time. Covering water is the most important.
Bait
Location is more important than bait, but not by much. Big lively baits, whatever is natural to the waterway, seem to be the best. Don’t be afraid to experiment with cutbait. If you are a person who is skeptical of using cutbait for flatheads, it is possible you are using pieces too small. Hand-size chunks of bait are often necessary to get the attention of a big fish. If you can cast it, a flathead will eat it. I would rather use small live bait and giant cutbait, than the other way around.
tackle
Think heavier, not lighter. You’re playing tug of war with a pitbull, not a toy poodle. Not only do you have to wear that fish out, you have to drag him, kicking and screaming. Don’t give an inch. Lots of times that’s the difference between landing the fish of your dreams, and a feeling of helplessness as the fish buries itself under a log. Make sure your gear is made for it.
Don’t confuse heavy fishing rods with a pool cue. They need to have a lot of backbone, with a little play on the tip. A little bend on the end makes bite detection easier, as flatheads often bite very lightly. Casting a delicately hooked live bait is a lot more effective with a light tipped fishing rod too. Any reel that will hold at least a hundred yards of line and has a strong drag will work.
As for your line, go big. I use 85 lb braided mainline. For leader line, I started with 30, then 40, then 50, and finally 60 lb. Why have I changed line size so much? Heartbreak. Every time I’ve gotten my tail kicked by a fish that was tougher than me, I bumped up the leader size. Save yourself the disappointment and go straight to 60 lb leader. When the fish you really want to catch bites, you won’t regret it. Oh, and tie good knots. I prefer a Palomar for braided line, and a four turn Uni Knot for mono.
That’s the gist of it. Fish fast, use lively bait, take heavy gear, and catch a fish that makes your heart flutter.
Patience is a virtue, at least that’s what they say. I’m not sure who “they” are. Apparently no one who’s tried to consistently catch daytime flatheads. If you can pull that feat off, you know patience is the last thing
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