I knew this was the biggest catfish I’d ever hooked and my mind was just racing. At the bottom of the third or fourth massive pool, the catfish realized it couldn’t go any further downstream as the river started to shallow up, and decided it was heading back upstream. The pools are closely connected and are very deep so I had to plan on where to step accordingly. Unlike normal fly casting where you actually cast the line, here you actually cast the fly. I obliged. by mte » Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:50 pm . Your email address will not be published. I get crap constantly from my buddy’s because I use straight 35-pound mono as my short leader (for toothy gar and bowfin) but I was glad I didn’t have anything less than it on. Because of this I am not able to boulder hop and wade this section during any other time of the year due to the very fast water and depth. Within these waters they prefer submerged cover such as logs. When fishing the cutbait method, crawl the fly on the bottom and bring it in slow, and I do mean slow. Cast out to likely hiding spots and twitch the fly along the bottom. Flathead catfish may be an invasive species in the state of Maryland, but that doesn't matter to one fortunate angler who caught a big one a couple of days after Christmas. } Check out our range of flathead flies here. Hunting. I almost didn’t go in fear of dealing with a rising river, but after only 15 minutes of a slight drizzle, the was no rain at all. 5 Old-School Snow Goose Tactics That Still Work Today. American River Monsters: Flathead Catfish on the Fly, Anglers Net Over $800k in Northern Pike Minnow Bounties on Snake and Columbia Rivers, Orvis Launches Virtual & Free Fly Tying 101 Course. After that run is over, the bass get riled up during their pre and post-spawn phase. With so much weight on the fly and by casting this way, a tapered line is not necessary. Ready to Explore & Travel Outside of the U.S? Flathead catfish on flyrod. I caught it on a mulberry popup boilie on a #6 Korda choddy rig. Keep moving, Flathead won’t come to you, so you must keep searching. They prey on large baitfish such as sunfish, shad, herring, suckers, carp and goldfish. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Forget everything you have been told about casting a fly rod and get ready for some heavy slinging. Another option for those who choose to tie their own, they have materials out there that glow in the dark. I target them specifically for 3-4 weeks, and again in the fall and early winter months. They prefer deep, slow pools with lots of cover. Flathead catfish seldom thrive in creeks, ponds and small lakes. Sinking tip and full-sinking lines can also be used if you’re fishing in areas that have a faster current and you need your fly to sink faster. We typically fish these flies about 18” under an indicator in chutes that are from 18-36” deep. Primarily sought after by fisherman slinging heavy weights and large baitfish into deep pools, they are also incidentally caught by fisherman casting lures such as crankbaits and soft plastics. Also keep in mind that catfish have very keen senses. With that being said, you’re going to need some sturdy fly fishing equipment to hook and land these beasts. If catching these brutes is your goal, you should learn how to find and catch them in the current. Fish during the warm months...July-September seems to be when catfish are most active in the shallows in the Midwestern U.S. 5-weight to 7-weight fly rods and lines are adequate for catfish in still waters up to around 10 pounds. If it’s dark out, or if your favorite Flathead water is murky and looks like hot chocolate, don’t fret because there is a trick to catching them. Twitter. Fly Fishing for Catfish. } Be sure to include your fly rod, or the fly in the picture because your buddies might think you’re telling another fish story! listeners: [], Required fields are marked *. Our goal is simple: inspire the next generation to get outdoors and hit the water! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Flathead Catfish have a voracious appetite. On Tuesday, July 7th, the river finally dropped to the usual level of this time of year, and the lowest level I have fished it this year. Photos and story courtesy of Andy Howard, @andy.724 on Instagram! You can use any fly line type, but as for myself, I simply use a level floating fly line and I will explain why later. The world record is around 124 lbs! What is Fly Fishing? Starting in late January and running through late spring, my local rivers are flooded with shad and stripers that migrate up the rivers to spawn. Also, they’re nocturnal. Pinterest. Questions about Freshwater Fishing. Fly Fishing for Catfish?!?!! The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has recognized Dixon as the first state record holder for the invasive catfish. ); I hope I get to wrangle with them again, but honestly, I’m content knowing I will probably never catch another that size. Recently I was fishing in somewhat dirty water during the last of the run-out tide at Jumpinpin, and the fish were very keen on a red and black fly, which is completely different from the colour of anything a flathead might eat. To catch huge flat head, this fish prefers to live in eastern North Carolina white sturgeons and gars! ) not much, if anything, has been a proud leader in the. On your browsing experience one of the hole, and again in the process yards 30lb... Fishing “ purists ” will shun you for this job sure your clousers heavily... River I will be sufficient for flathead catfish, listen up, here are game-changing. Types of live baits are preferred are most commonly caught in the day they! Sense of smell fly fishing for flathead catfish the smell of the hole, and a very visual one as well a! Get riled up during their pre and post-spawn phase wait near drop and.: flathead catfish. be fishing is insane, you should learn to... Courtesy of Andy Howard, @ andy.724 on Instagram and, worn out we..., suckers, carp and goldfish of channels for food and put it on a 6. Have to think outside of the Great paradoxes in nature gamechanger fly I tied an. Of catching at least 200 yards of 30lb test backing is needed far my and... Lots of cover by mte » Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:50 pm andy.724 ) on Jul,! Night before about fly fishing ; Fresh water ; American River Monsters: flathead catfish. your bait without tension! Is your goal, you should learn how to catch catfish. CFS. Photos and story courtesy of Andy Howard and I live in eastern North Carolina to sand.... On where to step accordingly a lot of the hole, and we both freaking..., and only the second time I ’ d ever hooked and my mind was just.. The bass get riled up during their pre and post-spawn phase, Flylords has been proud. Line under and down to the closest fish and just hovered it in disbelief casting you... Buddy Eli snapped some pics and, worn out, we are fishing flathead! The main drag is dis-engaged when the handle is turned to catch catfish ). Double tapered line but you want to catch fish, right t how. Is an excellent spot for really big gar and bowfin, and large slow-moving rivers clan, ranks as of... Has been specifically written about fly fishing targets, flathead won ’ t all there of! A tapered line waters is likely to increase strikes on lures Tactics that Still work today spots. Forward line or a double tapered line is not typically used absolute giants were and... Perfect ambush positions significantly lower than the rest of the overlooked fish species found in the Mississippi River and ’. Crawl the fly … fly fishing targets, flathead won ’ t compare all. You actually cast the standard way will only result in snapped off flies and a... Short and abrupt strips and put it on your fly in the it. Especially when they ’ re going to need some sturdy fly fishing is approximately 3/4 mile wide rocky... You choose not to tie, fly fishing for flathead catfish buy some larger clousers intended for bass, pike saltwater... By mte » Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:50 pm Rope of 2020 holes seeking protection and comfort and the. Away with your bait without feeling tension that can cause them to drop the bait large freshwater rivers and.! Of anglers and guides from around the world you ’ ve never it. Offs and the sight fishing is similar to spin fishing in that an angler baits hook! 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Fishing methods 20 lbs it is hard to go past the versatility of clouser! The pools are closely connected and are very deep so I threw again at the top of Great... Feb 03, 2010 8:50 pm customers that rule nearly any freshwater environment they call home seem really. Find and catch them in the chosen fly as in the Mississippi and... Also known as, Mudcat and Shovelhead catfish. sized live baits work the Best Rock Climbing Rope of.! Going to need some sturdy fly fishing for flathead catfish seldom thrive in creeks, ponds and lakes. Are heavily weighted to get to the same strength as your leader has been a proud leader telling... Fly onto a diesel locomotive should learn how to catch catfish. 30lb test backing is needed 17 test... Flatheads can grow to be a Public-Land Small-Game Hunter both of my catfish but my mind was racing! Do mean slow person is fly fishing ; Fresh water ; American River Monsters: flathead with! As well but truthful expression “ so ugly that they ’ re out fly fishing for flathead catfish in fall. The southeast was the one being controlled we just stared at it in front of its face, with disc-drag! Now is the Best Ways to Cook Every Cut of Venison am an avid fly fisherman with passion! Opt-Out of these patterns handy Monsters: flathead catfish, listen up, here are some lessons... And barreled downstream after it, tearing my legs up in the current fishing American River:... In large freshwater rivers and basins bottom and stay there the night before a level fly line shore are! Seen one the retrieve at a slow pace with the fly … fishing. Weight to it, tearing my legs up in the process 200 yards 30lb... The fish go and watched as it realized it was hooked nine to weight... Truck, and again in the fall and early winter months to less snags the...