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Lakes and Reservoirs
When it comes to locating big flatheads lakes and reservoirs can be tough
especially when it's unfamiliar water to you.I like to talk to alot of catmen
that have experience on the waters I want to fish and also crappie anglers
will give locations of sunken brush piles,timber and other key structures
that will hold the most dominant cats regardless if it's a lake or reservoir.
Research can pay off big.
Maps will show key water depths and the bays flatheads will use to feed.
Break the new water into small sections that have a depth change from
5 feet to 10 feet with lots of bays.Once you have broken down the new water
use your electronic fish finder and locate the forage fish,when you find the
forage fish mark them with a bouy.Forage fish will pile up on brush piles
feeding on the algea that old brush and timber produces.Alot of times
you will find a line of brush piles or submerged long jams that will hold big
flatheads.Flatheads prefer over head cover.When forage and structure are
established it's time to drop baits as close to the cover as possible,a flathead
won't tolerate a baitfish in it's territory and will eat it.
I prefer to stay as far away from my bait as possible and also prefer to fish from
shore.High line capasity baitcasting reels are required so you can drop your
bait close to structure and have enough line to free spool rods back to shore.
I tail hook my baits when current isn't present.Using 5 to 8 inch lively baits require
3 oz. of lead,I use barrel sinkers and a hook that will hold and handle a mean fish
I recommend using hand sharpened 5/0 to 8/0 Eagle claws.
Fishing is the key factor for locating big flatheads and when you find the best
available structure of any body of water you will produce large flatheads.I fish
a spot until it DON'T produce a fish and then and only then do I move to another
spot.