What's the best Flathead Catfishing bait?
Lonny
Loc: Forest Park, Ga
I use Chicken Liver for bait. yet, I hear of various other type of bait for Catfish but, I live in Ga. And I just wanted some honest opinions on the best type of bait for Catfishing in Ga.
Lonny: when I was a kid i helped my dad catch catfish in Red River with perch. They loved perch about the size of a man's hand. We would have community fish fries and there would be catfish left over that folks took home raw. They may not be legal in your state, but if they are, try using them. Just Sayin...RJS
If you are targeting flatheads forget the chicken livers, Live baits such as bluegill or goldfish or perch is always best when targeting flatheads
I've never fished for flatheads, only channel cats. And if you want to ensure only big cats bite, the thing to use is live fish. Now this is highly illegal in California and I would never do such a thing as break the law (remember that conversation?) but I HEAR that large channel cats and flatheads will eat live bluegills like popcorn. RJS what do you mean by perch? Out here where I live the locals call anything that ain't a bass a perch. And there are no actual perch in California. So you catch a bluegill or a crappie and show it to one of these NoCal yahoos, they're gonna tell you that it's a perch. I'm sure a catfish wouldn't know the difference, and either would make good bait. You think they got real perch in Georgia? I know they got bluegill, but they probably call em bream. Or brim. Or some kinda damned trout.
The call ‘em brim. I forget what they call pickerel because it’s so unrelated to fish.
Wv Mike musta been posting just as I was composing mine. Mike is the expert, listen to him. I haven't caught a fish since last December.
Spirit27: Well, i suppose perch is a catch all term and common here in Texas. Other terms might be sun fish, blue gills, brim or Bream, and all are in this category. I don't know what the proper terms might be for trhe deep south, or California.
You are absolutely correct that all big catfish love them. If there are any around, you can count on them finding and eating perch. However, usually they are more active in the middle of the night. Just Sayin...RJS
Me neither. I went out yesterday on the Sacramento river and got skunked. I fished back in a shady slough and it was perfect in every way. Dead quiet, peaceful, and fish jumping every minute or so. I tried chicken livers, sardine chunks and shrimp, then threw about ten different lures. Never got a nibble. I've got some kind of a jinx going on!
I rarely catfish but when flatheads are around, live baitfish really do the job
Chub minnows about 6 inches have done pretty good.
Live bluegill are really popular here in Ohio
Spiritof27 wrote:
I've never fished for flatheads, only channel cats. And if you want to ensure only big cats bite, the thing to use is live fish. Now this is highly illegal in California and I would never do such a thing as break the law (remember that conversation?) but I HEAR that large channel cats and flatheads will eat live bluegills like popcorn. RJS what do you mean by perch? Out here where I live the locals call anything that ain't a bass a perch. And there are no actual perch in California. So you catch a bluegill or a crappie and show it to one of these NoCal yahoos, they're gonna tell you that it's a perch. I'm sure a catfish wouldn't know the difference, and either would make good bait. You think they got real perch in Georgia? I know they got bluegill, but they probably call em bream. Or brim. Or some kinda damned trout.
I've never fished for flatheads, only channel cats... (
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I know the yellow perch folks catch up north is generally what folks are refering to when they say perch. Not here or Texas. Perch covers everything from bluegill, redear, almost the whole sunfish family. They are not considered game fish & are legal to use as bait. Bluecat & flatheads love them. Channel cat have a much smaller mouth than blue's or flat's so the perch must be smaller or cut up for bait. Liver will catch channel cat but don't bait a hook with liver expecting to catch a flathead. Live bait will take the blue & flathead every time. Large minnows, shad, carp & even small bullhead catfish are great bait.
I just checked and in Texas, only 18 counties allow use of sunfish or perch as legal bait. So, be sure you are in a county that allows this type of bait, or your state. Just Sayin...RJS
In California it is illegal to use any "sport fish" as bait. Bluegill are considered sport fish. What used to be known as squawfish, but due to political correctness are now called pike minnows, are not, but for some reason the catfish don't particularly like them. Cut em in half and put that on your hook, they seem to like that. You are absolutely correct bottomcoon about the channel cat having a smaller mouth, so if you are fishing with live hand size bluegills, don't expect to catch a small one, or a lot of them. What you will catch if you do catch one, will be a monster. So with that in mind and your expectations set at the proper level, go get one. Just be patient.
Lonny
Loc: Forest Park, Ga
All of you guys have some good advice but, I think that I'll try the bluegill fish....thanks anyway
Lonny: We aren't giving you bad advice. Check your state laws in GA so you don't rack up a huge fine if they are considered against the law in your state. We all know they work, It is a question of being legal. Same thing with using an old crank telephone, or dynamite, it works but not legal.
If they are legal in GA, show us some pictures of your catch. Just Sayin...RJS
In Illinois, my nephew catches flatheads on live bait,sunfish-creek chubs,small black drum. Ken
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