What is an OP ?

[Bryan8552]

I'm from NC and was just wondering what kind of fish ya'll were referrin' to when ya'll say OP.

Thanks,

Bryan

[sgt_rob]

That would be what a Northener would call a Flathead.

[BIG-G]

Really Rob. I didn't know that. LOL! I just call em flatheads.

[Cattledogz]

Really Rob. I didn't know that. LOL! I just call em flatheads.

Must be either LA northerners or one of those western northerners George. LOL Never heard them called OP in MI either. :wink:

[BAM]

I grew up in norteast Texas, we referred to em as opp's.

[Cattledogz]

I grew up in norteast Texas, we referred to em as opp's.

That would be what a Northener would call a Flathead.

I am curious as to where the term OP or OPP came from for flatheads and whether or not the OP or OPP are initials for a longer term for them.

Thanks for any info you can give on this. :smile2:

[Itch2Scratch]

Correct intials would be P.O. = Pylodictis olivaris:tounge_out:

[mandisue13]

Pylodictus= mud "dwelling"
olivaris= olive coloured

here is a good link: http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatics/flatcatfish.shtml


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[BAM]

op or opp is short for oppaloosa, why and where I don't know.

[Alsey]

I think the spelling got changed along the line but my dad told me the name came from the coloration being similar to an appaloosa horse with the mottled spots and all.

[cuttingout69]

op or opp is short for oppaloosa, why and where I don't know.

Good job gents. Keep up the fine work. Bam where in east tx did you grow up?

[FishBrew]

Op is a regional name for the flathead, just like shovelhead. Op is short for the word Opelousas which was an indian tribe in Louisiana. There is also a city named Opelousas in Louisiana. Being from southeast Texas, going to high school in shreveport, LA ... Op was used more often than flathead.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opelousas,_Louisiana

http://ccet.louisiana.edu/03a_Cultural_Tourism_Files/01.02_The_People/Native%20American%20Tribes/Opelousas.html

[Buddrice]

I think the spelling got changed along the line but my dad told me the name came from the coloration being similar to an appaloosa horse with the mottled spots and all.

Some of the common names that I have heard are: Flathead,shovelhead & Opelousas catfish.Like Alsey said the OP comes from the coloration.

[FishBrew]

also, the Opelousas tribe often painted parts of themselves black, given their darker/tanned skin in nature, that area would have a blotted look. Suppose to be a couple local lakes that looked black or very dark. The term Opelousas does refer to dark, blacken color.

[theonecatfishbob]

Boy you folks make me proud just to be able to say I have talked to you. What a wealth of information this place is.

[craddock1]

I remember the term oppaloosa cat when i was growing up in alabama. don't remember what it was refering to though. don't believe it was a yankee name though if it had been it would have been. thats what them #^%$ yankies call an appaloosa.

[mandisue13]

I remember the term oppaloosa cat when i was growing up in alabama. don't remember what it was refering to though. don't believe it was a yankee name though if it had been it would have been. thats what them #^%$ yankies call an appaloosa.


i resemble the yankee remark....LOL

[bigun12]

I'm from NC and was just wondering what kind of fish ya'll were referrin' to when ya'll say OP.

Thanks,

Bryan

Flat head, yeller (yellow), Op all the same thing depending on where you are at the moment I guess.

[nightrider]

I live about 15 minutes from Opelousas,La; it is named after a tribe of indians that settled in that area. There is also Bayou Courtableau that runs near that area and it has a good population of Flatheads in it, alot of recipes named after that bayou and the town of Opelousas.

[jim]

Jason I have had that blotted look myself!!!:big_smile: Had nothing to do with painting myself, more likely the town, and Im not Native American either.Just about anyone can achieve the blotted look by surrounding way to many Miller Lites!!!That can result in you having the DTs not to be confused with the OPs though.Normally if you have the DTs you won't be catching any OPS BUT if you catch a particularly big OP, say a state record,you could very well develope DTs from to much celebration.My experience its best to keep em separated.:smile2: :roll_eyes: :big_smile: :tounge_out: :cool2: :wink:

[jdstraka]

Jason I have had that blotted look myself!!!:big_smile: Had nothing to do with painting myself, more likely the town, and Im not Native American either.Just about anyone can achieve the blotted look by surrounding way to many Miller Lites!!!That can result in you having the DTs not to be confused with the OPs though.Normally if you have the DTs you won't be catching any OPS BUT if you catch a particularly big OP, say a state record,you could very well develope DTs from to much celebration.My experience its best to keep em separated.:smile2: :roll_eyes: :big_smile: :tounge_out: :cool2: :wink:
A Man could get the DTs If He was Sad cause He didden't Catch No OPS Right!!.Now I Understand. J.D.
:beat_shot:
P.S.
Where Else In The World Could a Person Ever Get Ths Vital Information? I Just Love This Place!!!!

[Doyle]

If it refers to flathead, then for me it stands for "Other Persons".

[TOPS]

Alsey nailed it. I heard the same some flatheads caught have a discoloration that are dark and light in certain areas on the fish's body.

[ka_c4_boom]

op or opp is short for oppaloosa, why and where I don't know.

spotted cats you know like spotted horse oppaloosa

[Netmanjack]

Opelousas - black head, black hair, black leg
Appaloosa - black spotted
Interesting, both native american words

[Catgirl]

Correct intials would be P.O. = Pylodictis olivaris:tounge_out:

Ken posted the correct answer, evidently whoever's been posting OP is a little mixed up. And as far as horses and spots go, haha it couldn't be an abbreviation for that because it's spelled APPaloosa :big_smile:. I assume from Jack's post that opelousas are another type horse, but I don't see how that could be right....as far as I know flatheads don't have black heads, hair or LEGS!

[Pastor E]

I think the spelling got changed along the line but my dad told me the name came from the coloration being similar to an appaloosa horse with the mottled spots and all.
You are 100% correct Jim Thats what we called then on the Pearl river in Ms when I was a boy Thats a Loooooooog time ago

[Catgirl]

Oh well, guess I should have read this entire thread before posting :big_smile:. It seems that perhaps OP is an acceptable term because of the flathead's coloration being similar to that of an opelousas horse.....still don't think they have BLACK heads, hair and legs though :tounge_out:.