After his first trip with me flathead fishing, my friend Clark commented that it seemed more like deer hunting than fishing.

My style of flathead fishing was much slower and more stealthy than any other fishing he had done. Since then I have imagined the similarities.

I set up at a spot and move slowly and quietly so I don't make sounds and vibrations that might disturb flathead or other animals.

Trophy flathead grew large by avoiding anything potentially dangerous. Trophy deer grow large avoiding dangerous situations and by behaving differently than young deer. Ducks, muskrat, beaver, or other animals making unnatural sounds such as a quick getaway can potentially frighten big cats.

Hunters who have witnessed blue jays or squirrels alerting deer or turkey with their alarm calls can certainly relate to this.

To stay quieter I set up rods on the bank and fish productive locations. Trophy flathead are rare and it often takes several nights to produce a bite. Even in warm water flathead may only feed once ever 3-5 nights. All tackle and equipment are set up before dark. All knots, lines, drags on reels, and hooks are double checked to ensure reliability. It is very difficult to be both comfortable and quiet when fishing long hours from a boat.

The rods pictured have been baited and are out of gear with clikers on. Flattening a pop can on the clicker side of the reel can increase clicker volume a bit. Note also that the handles of the reels are up. Catmen with Abu reels know that the slightest touch of their handle will put it in gear. If a flathead grabs a reel in gear you will probably not get it before the flathead is gone with it.Worse yet would be to realize a large channel cat will be faster.

Through more than 20 years of experience with flathead, I have noticed that they react quickly to unnatural light sources. At first I had no idea that lights frightened flathead but a few encounters of trying to illuminate a big flathead to net him convinced me that they instinctively fear unnatural lights.

For this reason I only use small maglights on very rare occasions. If I need light I often take the tackle up the bank and shine the light away from the water. Fires flicker and lanterns cause flash as people walk between them and the water or they go out and are relit.

Another similarity with hunting is like finding a stand. I must select sites to fish with care. They must have cover for flathead to hunt in or be along travel routes that flathead use to get from security cover to hunting grounds. Like scouting for deer I must select spots with true trophy potential.

Sometimes brushpiles can be located and sometimes they can be built. Often surveying bottom with a depthfinder reveals submerged creeks that are used as travelways. If this sounds familiar to hunting deer at bottlenecks or along rub lines, you are starting to understand. Brush located near deep water or submerged creek channels is preferred.

After locating a potential site, I must find a level spot on the bank to fight big fish. Brush and weeds must be cleared so they cannot tangle lines or obstruct landing nets. This is similar to bowhunters clearing shooting lanes.

I become aware of logs or rocks on the bank before it gets dark. I extend the handle of the landing net and lay it where it will be quickly accessable when needed.

In reality I must be aware of the habits of my quarry and use stealth and planning to quietly anticipate where he will travel. I have all my equipment ready and have anticipated several scenarios and my reactions. I select sites with above average potential to produce a trophy. I try to blend into the area without disturbing my quarry or other animals that might alert him. I wait patiently till it is time to strike. With planning and patience I will be able to successfully take a trophy.