Best bait to target flathead catfish in Kentucky

[pattyquack]

I know they go for live bait, but what type seems to work the best.I put out a few baskets last night to catch some bluegill,but wondered if shad would work better.What do you guys think?

[Nightprowler]

Shad are great bait if you can keep them a alive.Other baits to consider are carp,suckers,bullheads,basicaly anything that swims.

[flathunter]

I would pick a shad over anything, followed by suckers, then bluegills.

[Skipjack]

My favorite is Skipjack, fresh cut or whole, when I can get it. Shad is just as good sometimes. Bluegill and creek minnows can also produce Flatties.

[pattyquack]

Ok now next question, I usually hook em in the back just below the fin.Should I hook them through the mouth like you would a minnow for crappie fishing or stick with my current presentation.BTW thank all of you for your input,I appreciate it.

[bigcatwannabe]

i usually hook them right through there spot

[rickster]

i tell ya what i have had some luck with and thats is taking a live blue gill and cutting the head off it and useing the head and someone on here was talking about takeing 3 leeches and hook them good that that works but if i was u i would use bluegill as cut bait or use a live one i think thats the beast bait to use but good luck

[pattyquack]

Thanks for all of the info guys,I will try to put it to good use tommorow night

[pattyquack]

israeli carp

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[wowsafari]

I'm surprized that nobody has mentioned the good ole soft craw. Crawfish are a staple in the flatheads diet. You will probaly catch bigger fish using gills or shad but craws are another option.

[Fishing Fred]

Got a friend that doesn't try to keep his shad alive at all. As soon as he nets them he seals them up in a ziplock bag and puts them in ice. He never lets them sit in water. Shad will stay firm and fresh several days on ice and little or no air. If he freezes them he will use this same method. Have fished with him and they work good this way.

[SIVART22573]

I'm not sure whats the best bait is, but the last 2 weeks I've been catching mostly flatheads out of the Ohio river, I caught them with cut skip jack, live shad, green night crawlers & bluegill, but most were caught using those green night crawlers, I usually get more Channel cats but here lately the flatties are all I'm catching. That's a good thing though.

[mlohre]

i like to use creek chubs and hook them thru their mouth or on the tail.

[CatSkinner]

Definitely live bait.

Shad first, skipjack second.

Never used sucker.

Haven't caught a lot on bluegill, but some do very well.

[CatSkinner]

Oh, I usually hook them through the mouth. Just works for me.

[catfishjohn]

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Israeli Carp are similar to goldfish,more silver/gray in color.Very tough and bleed a lot.Most bait shops around here sell them.Usually do better with them than goldfish.

[jason berry]

I hook them through the base of the tail.