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Wandering if big flatheads are still in white river

7K views 30 replies 9 participants last post by  twaskom 
#1 ·
Hey guys im new, read alot of good information here so i figured I would sign up and start picking brains. I've been fishing the white river for just a few years now. The biggest flatty i have got is only 12.5 lbs. While thats a decent fish im trying for trophy size. I know it takes alot of patience as i have gone home several times without catching any. Im just wandering if any of you guys are still catching any 30, 40, 50 pound flathead out of the white? I want to break that old record that has been around forever, as I'm sure some of you want too as well. Ive talked to a few guys ive meet on the river and they claim the big ones are still swimming around in all the different pools. Besides my pb all I've ever got are ten pounds or less. I usually fish the Indy stretch so that could be my problem because of all the pressure it gets. I know my chances are probably better more south. But I just want to know more opinions on catching trophy size flathead, keep trying the river? Or focus more on Cagle mills or maybe Monroe? Ive heard guys say the next record might come from those spots as well. Any info is welcomed and appreciated.
 
#9 ·
I like to fish both of those places along with racoon. Honestly though I have never pulled any flathead out of any lakes or reservoirs only the river. My bro did manage a baby flathead last year out of racoon, I was a little jealous. I spend a lot of my fishing time on the river, I just feel like there is a record lurking in it waiting for me! Plus you never know what you will pull out the river. Most of my pictures i posted came from the white river. A wide diversity of fish. But I'm trying to get more serious about this record so I'm trying to research more and break my habit of going to the same stretch. Or start focusing more on another body of water.
 
#10 ·
Sounds good Jon. I try the Ohio River as often as I can. It is one of those places where anything is possible. I have caught several flatheads there but nothing huge yet. I am usually fishing for Blues when I go. Anyway, stay in touch and maybe we can get some fishing in.
 
#12 ·
Sounds good Jon. I have a 2070 Lowe that fits very nicely on the Ohio If you would be interested in a road trip this year. I generally drive down in the morning and am home about 9 or 10pm.
 
#14 ·
Sound like a plan. The Ohio is big but it is a slow easy river. Especially in a boat 20 ft long and 8 ft wide. Now I am not saying you don't have to be careful, but it is not difficult. I fish blues mostly but we can look for some flatheads also. last August I caught a 50 pounder and a 59 pounder a week later. Blues are a lot of fun also.

Remind me when the weather get warmer. I am usually here so send me a PM and we'll get a fishing trip put together. Oh, I also have all the river rods and reels we will need if that helps any.

Tom
 
#15 ·
There are still some good flatheads in the Indy section of White River, but they are pretty few and far between unless you have a boat. That's my problem is I'm restricted to the bank, so I'm lucky to find 1 20lber every year. My personal best was in the 25-27 lb range, unfortunately I didn't have any scale with me that day. I have a few spots left where the 10-15 lb flats are still pretty common from the bank, but they're getting harder to find. People have beat that section of river to death and nobody releases anything. It's really unfortunate because that river has a lot of good water. Just last year below the GM dam some a-hole caught about 10 flatheads, a couple of which were pushing the 30 lb mark, and just cut their tails off and left them for dead on the bank next to the river walkway there. Pictures of the senseless waste were posted to the Indiana Fishing Facebook page by the guy who came across them. I called the DNR to file a report and hoped that would spark some more random checkups by the DNR along our stretch of the river, but I never see them out there patrolling. I'm glad to hear there are still some good CPR fishermen here in the city. I spoke with another guy walking his dog downtown last fall while I was flathead fishing who told me he practices CPR on all of the big cats he catches as well. Hopefully more people wake up and start turning the big girls loose! Anyways, welcome to the board and tight lines!
 
#18 ·
Yes I saw those flatheads on the bank too, I almost cried when I seen the big one. They were filled with maggots and stunk real bad when I saw them. Looked like some of them swallowed the hook so they just removed the leader and left it in. And like you said cut the tails off. That sounds like someone has anger issues to me. Very frustrating. I've only seen dnr out there once but it was by the 16th st dam. Like you said I wish they would patrol more, a lot people just go out there to party and trash the place.

Welcome aboard Jon! Always good to see a motivated fisherman with good conservation minded morals join the site.
I fish Indiana reservoirs and the Ohio as much as my wife will let me :) The guys have given you some good tips.
Reservoir flatheads can be really hard to locate. You've got to fish significant structure. I've had luck in areas with rip rap shore and deep water nearby.
Treddinwater, good to see you on here man! Been a long time.
Yes they are hard. Once at cataract had a big live drum out and it started walking off like a flatty, missed the hookup. Another time at racoon had a big live crappie out, same thing happen, started walking off and missed the hookup. I think I just pulled to early on that one though, I get a little excited sometimes!
 
#16 ·
Welcome aboard Jon! Always good to see a motivated fisherman with good conservation minded morals join the site.
I fish Indiana reservoirs and the Ohio as much as my wife will let me :) The guys have given you some good tips.
Reservoir flatheads can be really hard to locate. You've got to fish significant structure. I've had luck in areas with rip rap shore and deep water nearby.
Treddinwater, good to see you on here man! Been a long time.
 
#20 ·
I have tried them a few times and I've never caught a fish with them. I know I' m suppose to let the fish load up the rod and don't set the hook like a j hook just crank a few times. But for some reason I can't catch one. I like the idea of them as its better on the fishes health. I will just have to keep practicing I guess, maybe with bigger sizes or hooking the bait in different spots. I like big lively bait so I have always been a khale hook guy, big wide gap. What size would you recommend for like handsize bluegill? And anyone can chime in on what they recommend for big live bait. Maybe that is my problem, using wrong size.
 
#21 ·
I use a minimum of an 8/0 and sometimes a 10/0. And I try to leave as much of the hook exposed as I can. Finally, it is very important to make sure the hook is sharp. I use Gamakatsu hooks which I think are priced right and alway seem to be sharp out of the package, but I always try to remember to check.
 
#23 ·
I buy all my Gamakatsu hooks off of eBay.

I like the 25 packs of:

208418-25 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Offset 8/0 -- it has the 45 degree angle eye and is an offset shank

or

265418-25 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Saltwater Big Game 8/0 -- it is the straight eye straight shank

Prices will vary a little but the cost is about $14 w/free shipping. I do not care for the heavy wire or X4 hooks but the is just my preference.
 
#25 ·
Of the two hooks I listed above, I have used the 208418 with the angled eye the most. That is mostly because it seems to be easier to find on eBay. Of course it has the offset shank which may increase hookups but it also will increase the odds of getting snagged.

One important design feature when a fish hits the bait on a circle hook is that the hook be turned to one side, putting the hook point it better position to imbed in the fishes jaw. The straight eye does this a little better then the angled eye in my opinion. Now this is just my personal opinion but if you take each style of hook and test it you can decide for yourself. Just snell the hook then pinch the leader between two fingers. Pull the hook toward the fingers until the eye hits the fingers and watch what the hook does. The hook should turn from 45 to 90 degrees with the point leading the way. Keep in mind that for this action to work, the hook has to be snelled and the leader HAS to go thru the eye the correct direction. It HAS to start into the eye from the same side as the point.

If you have a straight shanked hook and want an offset, the hook can he bent to offset it. Be a little careful since these hooks can snap suddenly if sent too much. An 8/0 hook sticking out of your finger does not improve your fishing ability.

There are several variations of a snell and I have tried a couple. Some are easier than others but I prefer the harder way because it leaves the tag end laying tightly beside the shank of the hook and not sticking out to the side. Not sure the this makes any real difference but it is a personal preference.

tight lines all
 
#26 ·
I mostly stick with 8/0 circle hooks while using live bait on the river. As Twasksom stated, always make sure they're sharp which it sounds like you're already doing, but another thing to make sure of when hooking through live and cut bait is to make sure there aren't any scales on the tip of the of the hook before throwing out. Scales on the tip of the hook can keep the point from burying into the fish's mouth. It sounds like you've got the process of letting the fish run with the circle hook down, flatheads can be a bit picky sometimes when they pick up a bait so it's not a bad idea to let them run with it for a good solid minute or so before starting your retrieve. Remember to bring the rod up and keep the rod tip high and then start to crank at a good pace. With channels you won't usually have this problem because they almost always hit your bait like they've stolen something haha. I almost always hook my live bait through the tail meat just behind the dorsal fin, but I know a lot of guys who swear by hooking them through the lower jaw and up through the nose. I've been told that hooking them that way can be more effective, depending on if the flatheads are preferring to eat their prey head first at that time. Also, since you do fish the river here in the city, if you're getting a lot of missed hookups, it might be from small flatheads or turtles. There are an abundance of both around here and they'll drive you nuts some nights!
 
#27 ·
Good info Tom, thinking back now I'm not sure if I was snelling the circle hooks I was trying, so that along with using the right size maybe I can hook up with them. I just need to start practicing snelling again, I usually use a palomar or trilene knot. From what I've read they are two of the strongest knots. I've also read snelling is pretty secure as well when done right.

Treddinwater I know what you mean about them channels they will pound your baits and run hard. Always a fun time! When I'm fishing the river im always nervous about letting them run too much though as I've lost a few to snags and brush and what not but that's the name of the game fishing for flats in the river. I also use bait runners/bait alerts so they can pull line out but i know i need to keepem locked up with circles. Thats where i usually hook my bait too or sometimes down by the anal fin. I feel if you hook through the bottom of the mouth and out the top that it makes it harder for fish to breath but i have no proof to back that up, I could be wrong. Just my thoughts on it. And yes I have had my share of turtles! Thanks for all the info again!
 
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