It had been a long week at work for me and Friday was no
exception. The day dragged on due to my anticipation to
go fishing after work. My boat and tackle were already
prepared and I had called my bait dealer to insure a supply
of active baits would be available for my adventure.
I asked several friends and other fishermen to join me but none were able to go flathead fishing. My partner Don told me that a trip after work on Friday put to much stress on us due to the small amount of time to get to our fishing area and get set up. He also declined my invitation.
At 2:30 PM I clocked out at my job and quickly made my way home. I picked up some spare clothes and threw them into my boat and hitched the trailer. A 2 hour drive put me in the parking lot of my bait store. I was somewhat disappointed at the size of goldfish Larry had available for me. The 3 inch goldfish were the largest available. I decided to be happy with them because by Aug 10 of some years there were usually no goldfish to be found at any bait shops. I quickly paid Larry and put the bait in my aerated livewell and continued my trip. It was another hours drive to the lake and I was anxious to be on the water.
When I arrived at the lake I launched my small aluminum boat. I tied it to the launch ramp and walked around to the docks and got the Catfish Queen. The Catfish Queen is a 21 ft pontoon boat I have modified for flathead fishing. All rails and hardware were removed in the front to make room to fight big flatheads.
I motored the pontoon to the ramp and tied the small boat to the stern. I felt much better finally getting out on the lake. There were few fishing boats on the lake but as would be expected jet skis and pleasure boats were out in force.
I brought the Catfish Queen to a selected spot and tied it to the bank. I brought the small boat around and started getting my rods and reels in order. I carefully checked the drags on my reels to assure they were set correctly and working smoothly. I made sure the reel seats held the reels securely on the rods. Next I checked the dacron line for frays that would indicated weak spots. I cut off a foot or two of line near the hooks because the line seemed frayed from the energetic goldfish. I carefully retied the knots and resharpened the 5/0 kahle hooks to a razor point.
I knew this spot had several christmas trees placed nearby by fisherman hoping to create crappie hotspots. I turned on the fishfinder and used the small boat to pinpoint their location. I dropped marker bouys on the inside edges of the trees. This would allow me to set my baits as close as possible to the trees without actually getting the baits into them where the goldfish would tangle in the branches as they swam around.
Next I returned to bank and put my reels in freespool with the clickers to the on position. I baited the hooks and carried the baits in buckets out to a position near the trees. As I was setting my baits out I noticed another group unloading their boat on the opposite shore. From their equipment and the time of day I assumed they were catfishing.
I went back to shore and tied the small boat where it would not interfere with fighting a big cat. It was tied to be launched quickly. I plan to get into the boat if I ever have a fish taking line hard enough to potentially spool a reel. My hope is that I can keep line on the spool and wear down a big fish as he pulls the boat.
I got my big net and extended the handle and placed it within easy reach of my rods. This was not due to confidence as much as normal preparation that must be done when I fish alone.
The Catfish Queen has a full enclosure to allow me to fish in all weather conditions. My next step was to zip in the enclosure to the bimini top. Although it didn’t look like rain, I find it better to be ready for rain than to try to install the enclosure in the rain when it is dark.
With everything set I relaxed and drank an icy cold beverage. I
watched as the catmen across the bay set out lines and arranged
their poles. As darkness fell the pleasure boaters made their
way in and the natural sounds of the lake and woods replaced
the growl of their motors.
A clicker on a reel interrupted the quiet sounds of night. I quickly picked up the rod and thumbed the clicker off. I gently touched the spool as I felt line being slowly pulled from the reel.
When I was assured the fish was moving well I swung back and felt the weight of a heavy fish. After several minutes of the fish taking drag as I resisted, I finally gained line and control of the fish. As the fish grew closer I grabbed the landing net and led the fish into it. I roped the fish up for weighing and photos in the daylight.
I quickly grabbed another bait and took it back out into the lake. I could not place it as precisely as before but used the depthfinder to find brush to drop the bait near. I settled back down to another soft drink. Big fish are rare and if I did not get another bite I had been successful. The night was quiet except for an occasional splash as a shad met its fate in the water or a click or two from the reels as the baits tried to move against the 2 ounce sinkers.
I waited casually and listened to the night sounds. From time to time I noticed flashlights from the group across the bay. I prefer to make no lights and stay very quiet. The hours drifted by as I enjoyed the night.
A clicker gave a quick notice that a bait moved violently. Movement stopped before I reached the Charter Special and Big Cat combo. I stood silently behind it waiting. The clicker sounded a deliberate slow movement and I picked up the rod and disengaged the clicker. My thumb felt the line peeling slowly off the reel and I pushed the lever drag to fight position and leaned forward as the fish tightened the line. When the line pulled tight I leaned back, set the hook hard, and immediately felt the bend of the rod.
The feel of the rod told me this was definitely a big fish. As I fought I felt the fishes head as it shook back and forth. I would gain line but the fish would stop and peel drag as if to show me its power. As the minutes wore on I pulled the beast to within 30 feet but it refused to come further. Bulldogging back to deeper water time and again after I gained precious inches of line. My landing net was only a few feet away but I dare not lose concentration on this fish to reach for it.
Again and again I pulled it closer only to lose line as it stripped against the drag. The fish was tiring but my only indication was that I pulled it to the surface. I heard a loud whoosh as it dove and left a swirl on the calm water. As it steadily pulled drag I held tight until the mighty fish stopped. I stepped back and retrieved my landing net and laid it near my feet as I held tension on the rod. Slowly I started inching line onto the reel. The fish stayed as deep as possible but quick directional movement told me he was close. I reached down for the landing net but the big fish lunged and stripped off 20 yards of line.
The length of this fight had me worrying about my line. Had the baitfish rubbed it on the gravel and sand bottom and weakened it? I knew the small grating teeth of a big flathead will saw through tough line and I had been pressuring it for quite a while. I was tempted to loosen the drag but feared making the fight longer would increase chances of losing the fish. I silently wished I had gotten into the small boat to fight the cat over deep water.
We continued the fight. 4 times I had the cat an arms length away. Each time he would surge for deeper water and take line. My drag performed flawlessly and finally I saw the fish weaken and roll to one side. I maintained pressure and picked up the landing net and led the fish into it.
I removed my hook and roped the flathead to the bank. I got another goldfish and hooked it and gently lobbed the bait out into the lake. I celebrated to myself and treated myself to another soft drink.
At daybreak I gathered my gear and watched for morning fishermen. I hoped to recruit someone to take photos of the fish as they worked along the shoreline. I watched as the other catmen on the opposite bank gathered their tackle and prepared to go home.
I pushed off the pontoon and motored across to them. They agreed to come across and take photos. I checked the fish on the scale and it weighed 47. As they clicked pictures of the first fish I quickly released it.
One of them thought I was premature since I told them I wanted pictures. I reassured them I wanted pictures but I had a bigger fish.
My scale revealed a weight of 66 pounds. I double-checked the scale because this would be my largest flathead. The other fishermen watched as I held the big fish for pictures.
I strained to hold the fish as the moved for good angles and tried to focus the camera.
I released the giant fish and it swam slowly away. I thanked the catmen and returned them to their spot. I motored back happy with a nights fishing.
