That first serious flathead fishing experience really opened my eyes. Like many anglers, I believed what I had been told - that
little cats lightly tap at baits, but big cats grab it and run with it. It’s a real shocker once you’ve experienced how carefully
flatheads can take baits at times. And here’s one - you must fish at night. Untrue! While a lot of catfish does occur at night,
many anglers like Denny have caught some of their largest flatheads during broad daylight. Another thing I hadn’t counted on
was how exciting and addicting flathead fishing can be. I view flatheads as not only the premier sport fish where I fish, but one
of the premier sport fish in all of freshwater.
20 years ago, the idea of catfish as a sport fish was relatively new. In-Fisherman writers like Doug Stange were among the first
anglers I remember who talked about catfish not only as a game fish, but as a valued sport fish worthy of protection. The phrase
"selective harvest" slowly became a topic of conversation among catmen, and a heated topic at times too. But, it still happens all
too often that any mention of catfish in the mainstream press is accompanied by some comment about eating catfish. Even
though there are now many anglers throughout the world who practice and encourage CPR (catch, photo, and release) of catfish.
little cats lightly tap at baits, but big cats grab it and run with it. It’s a real shocker once you’ve experienced how carefully
flatheads can take baits at times. And here’s one - you must fish at night. Untrue! While a lot of catfish does occur at night,
many anglers like Denny have caught some of their largest flatheads during broad daylight. Another thing I hadn’t counted on
was how exciting and addicting flathead fishing can be. I view flatheads as not only the premier sport fish where I fish, but one
of the premier sport fish in all of freshwater.
20 years ago, the idea of catfish as a sport fish was relatively new. In-Fisherman writers like Doug Stange were among the first
anglers I remember who talked about catfish not only as a game fish, but as a valued sport fish worthy of protection. The phrase
"selective harvest" slowly became a topic of conversation among catmen, and a heated topic at times too. But, it still happens all
too often that any mention of catfish in the mainstream press is accompanied by some comment about eating catfish. Even
though there are now many anglers throughout the world who practice and encourage CPR (catch, photo, and release) of catfish.
 |
~The Fellowship of the Flathead ~
On a hot and sunny summer day, three companions set out on a quest for flatheads. Catfish guide Denny Halgren was at the
boat launch, ready to take them out for an enjoyable afternoon of fishing. Little did they know that the shared experience they
had that day would forever change the way they thought about big catfish behavior. And catfish conservation. For Denny is
as passionate about releasing all flatheads as he is about catching them.
A few times throughout the afternoon, Denny would go over to one of the rods. He picks the rod up, and alertly waits…like a
cat ready to pounce. Where we didn’t notice any signals, Denny knew a fish was there. It would be Pete’s turn this time.
Denny picked up on something with one of the baits, and Pete is waiting for Denny to hand him the rod. Denny says "I can't
even feel the sinker on here…" He pulls in some line. "Still don't feel it…" Denny reels in a little more. Still feeling no
tension, he starts reeling again. Then, stopping on a dime, he tells Pete "You've got a fish here…set the hook!" He hands Pete
the rod. Pete takes it, and hooks-up with a nice flathead. The fish had carefully moved forward with the sinker and the bait:
without being detected.
On a hot and sunny summer day, three companions set out on a quest for flatheads. Catfish guide Denny Halgren was at the
boat launch, ready to take them out for an enjoyable afternoon of fishing. Little did they know that the shared experience they
had that day would forever change the way they thought about big catfish behavior. And catfish conservation. For Denny is
as passionate about releasing all flatheads as he is about catching them.
A few times throughout the afternoon, Denny would go over to one of the rods. He picks the rod up, and alertly waits…like a
cat ready to pounce. Where we didn’t notice any signals, Denny knew a fish was there. It would be Pete’s turn this time.
Denny picked up on something with one of the baits, and Pete is waiting for Denny to hand him the rod. Denny says "I can't
even feel the sinker on here…" He pulls in some line. "Still don't feel it…" Denny reels in a little more. Still feeling no
tension, he starts reeling again. Then, stopping on a dime, he tells Pete "You've got a fish here…set the hook!" He hands Pete
the rod. Pete takes it, and hooks-up with a nice flathead. The fish had carefully moved forward with the sinker and the bait:
without being detected.
| Angler Pete with his first flathead on the Rock River |
Catfish catches man
Flatheads, in particular, seem to have captured the attention of fishermen in recent years. Long known for their fierce fighting
ability, they are also one of the largest of all freshwater fish. Talk about a one-two punch! Just to add to the mystique, flatheads
are loners that stake out their territory, aggressively fighting off any invaders at all costs. Many anglers, like guide Denny refer
to this tendency as “territorial aggression.” Flatheads generally prefer live baits (the livelier the better), and don’t feed at such
predictable intervals as channel and blue catfish. They also have more specific habitat requirements, preferring deep, dark lairs
with significant amounts of submerged cover.
Flatheads, in particular, seem to have captured the attention of fishermen in recent years. Long known for their fierce fighting
ability, they are also one of the largest of all freshwater fish. Talk about a one-two punch! Just to add to the mystique, flatheads
are loners that stake out their territory, aggressively fighting off any invaders at all costs. Many anglers, like guide Denny refer
to this tendency as “territorial aggression.” Flatheads generally prefer live baits (the livelier the better), and don’t feed at such
predictable intervals as channel and blue catfish. They also have more specific habitat requirements, preferring deep, dark lairs
with significant amounts of submerged cover.
| A likely flathead hangout |
Cattitude
Many anglers specifically target flatheads, and some have become quite accomplished big fish specialists. These catfish
specialists often use expensive rods and reels built to handle these powerful fish, mail-order special hook sizes because local
stores don’t always stock them, and search out the best places to gather the wild, live baits preferred by flatheads. And most of
all, they spend time on the water learning the ways of their adversary. Catfish anglers may appear mysterious to some, often
fishing at night or very early in the morning, as these can be peak times to get out. Additionally, you’ll find some flathead anglers
can be quite secretive about their fishing habits and spots. It’s understandable. Just consider the level of fishing pressure on
some waters, and the fact that there are some who indiscriminately take as many fish as possible regardless of size. If we expect
there to be a quality fishery in years to come, that’s something that’s got to change. Anglers and fishery managers must realize
that the numbers of fish at the top of the food chain, and flatheads are a top predator in most of the waters they call home,
cannot support unlimited harvest. Catfish specialist Tim Scott compares unlimited harvest of large catfish to cutting down trees
in a forest. They take a long time to replace, and once a noticeable problem exists it could take decades to fully recover.
Many anglers specifically target flatheads, and some have become quite accomplished big fish specialists. These catfish
specialists often use expensive rods and reels built to handle these powerful fish, mail-order special hook sizes because local
stores don’t always stock them, and search out the best places to gather the wild, live baits preferred by flatheads. And most of
all, they spend time on the water learning the ways of their adversary. Catfish anglers may appear mysterious to some, often
fishing at night or very early in the morning, as these can be peak times to get out. Additionally, you’ll find some flathead anglers
can be quite secretive about their fishing habits and spots. It’s understandable. Just consider the level of fishing pressure on
some waters, and the fact that there are some who indiscriminately take as many fish as possible regardless of size. If we expect
there to be a quality fishery in years to come, that’s something that’s got to change. Anglers and fishery managers must realize
that the numbers of fish at the top of the food chain, and flatheads are a top predator in most of the waters they call home,
cannot support unlimited harvest. Catfish specialist Tim Scott compares unlimited harvest of large catfish to cutting down trees
in a forest. They take a long time to replace, and once a noticeable problem exists it could take decades to fully recover.
| Daytime action! |
Sure, there’s a time and place for enjoying some of the smaller catfish to eat. Small channel catfish in particular are for the most
part a renewable resource. Just look at catfish farms. But when you’re talking about big fish of any species, it takes time to
replace them. Recognizing the importance of releasing flatheads and other large catfish in order to provide a quality
catfishery for generations to come is what Fox Valley Flatheaders is all about.
CPR: Cat-photo-release.
A future article will include an in-depth exploration of flathead tactics based on conversations with flathead master Denny
Halgren.
| Copyright 2008, Shawn Johnson All rights reserved. |
