flatheads and lures ????

[Kansasgoose]

my state just put a band on catching gills from the pond and taking them down to the river for bait. (yes, it sucks to be me). so, I need a new method for catching flatheads and was thinking about using something like a shad rap. Has anyone used artificial lures on a river for flatheads? I was thinking about running the standard 3way swivel, with a lead weight on one, and the lure on the other so I could "hold" the lure close to the bottom, about a foot up. Im thinking the river current would give it the action necessary, and this way I could place it near structure, just like I do live bait. Thoughts?

and yes, I know lures will catch flatheads if you cast and retrieve them, but Im thinking more of a stationary presentation. and I fish a river, not lakes for flats.

[Straw Hat]

Interesting idea. You might also consider the large soft swim baits that they use for muskies and northerns. They can be soaked in various scents and being soft the cat should hold on to them longer. If you are worried violating the bluegill law you can always use large shiners froma bait shop. Flatheads love them but not all bait shops carry 4 to 6" shiners. Just a thought. Good luck.

[IFitSWIMS]

Do a search, there is a member from Nebraska i think that does alot of crankbait trolling for flats,he might be able to help you out.Is there no live bait that you can catch from the river that you could use?

[Kansasgoose]

Is there no live bait that you can catch from the river that you could use?

mostly just shad, and you know they tend to die as soon as you touch them .

[MestariDesigns]

I've caught some (by accident while bass fishing) on crankbaits and other lures, but would not want to depend on them for flatheads. I think a better alternative would be cut bait. Over 3/4 of my flatheads are caught on cut bait.

[IFitSWIMS]

Snowgoose100 is the member that catches flatheads on crankbaits.He does this on lakes, i don't know how that knowledge would transfer to rivers but he would be the guy to talk to.

[catfish8]

Thats an interesting idea. I recently caught a flat from one of my local rivers on a white chatter bait in 2 ft of water. First time for me but the vibrations that these put off is insane.

[Welder]

Yougot other options. Suckers, carp big, creek minners and even a ball of worms. Its not the end of life if you cant use bluegill. All it means you just have to learn a lil more about how to net or trap bait out of your local river. You might have to learn to keep shad alive its not hard. But my bet would be small suckers , carp and buff fish lil tougher in the bait bucket ect you can figure it out. Easy to get out of creeks if you take the time to find them. You can ambush suckers in any shallow creek by staking and tossing a cast net on a small shaol of them.

[tn_5568]

I have been thinking about using a lure too. I do decent with bluegill just think it would be a blast to have a big one come up and strike a lure. I may cast a pole or two out like normal with clickers on then walk down the bank a little and try a lure

[rocket256]

You can always get some gold fish.