Big D Flatheads/channels 7/13

[FASTEDDIE29]

Arrived home from Lake George, NY at 2 this afternoon. Feeling happy, refreshed and stress free, I headed right for the D after unpacking and getting things in order at home. Left the house at 3, stopped for bait to catch bait, a sandwich and a couple beverages. Off to the Musky to catch some Gills. They were there waiting for me. After all the driving around and getting my catfish gear and bait in order I finally arrived at the spot at 615 or so. Had to wade up to my belly button to get where I needed to be. 5 minutes in, the first Flathead is landed, 5 lber. 15 minutes go by, another Flathead, 6.3 lbs. Then the sky got dark and the wind picked up so I headed to safety until the snot blew over. Little storm only lasted 10 minutes. Back to the action, drag is screaming off the reel, tighten down the drag and set the hook, good heavy fish. After a really AWESOME fight I landed a good sized Channel coming in at 7 lbs 13 oz, biggest cat of the night. Here come more clouds around 745 and some rain. Decided to stick it out and see if the weather gets worse, it sure did. Got 1 more Flathead in the rain, little guy, maybe 3.5 lbs. Once I released the last fish I realized I was risking ruining my camera and my I-phone so I got my ass out of there quick. Off the river at 815 soaked to the bone, its all good and it was well worth it. 3 Flatheads and 1 Channel and it wasn't even PRIME TIME! I was out there alone singing America the Beautiful to myself, loving life!!! TIGHT LINEZ!!!:D

[flatcreek]

Way to go Eddie, ya did a lot better than tom and me. We ended up wet, with 2 shorts and a small channel. Maybe next time we can get together. I'm just hooked on that reservoir. :p

[FASTEDDIE29]

Way to go Eddie, ya did a lot better than tom and me. We ended up wet, with 2 shorts and a small channel. Maybe next time we can get together. I'm just hooked on that reservoir. :p



Ill be out there again buddy. Your not the only one who got wet. You are addicted to that place like Im addicted to the river. See you on the water soon!

[AndyS]

Looks like that seals the deal for a location to have CATFIZZ Nite out official Meet and Greet in August.

[rooferbird]

thanks for the report, the river is looking good again I'll be out next weekend, good size channel in the sunlight it usually gets better after dark

[NorthJerzyG]

Way to get right back to it!!! Seems weird that your biggest catch was a channel? Never caught a flattie so I don't know how they fight, but that channel must have been fun!! Good job!!

[FASTEDDIE29]

Way to get right back to it!!! Seems weird that your biggest catch was a channel? Never caught a flattie so I don't know how they fight, but that channel must have been fun!! Good job!!

Flatheads seem to fight harder. They all put up a nice battle especially pulling em up out of 35 feet of water. Come on down to the BIG D buddy. I know its out of your zone! The 6.3 lb Flathead pulled more drag then the 7.13 Channel. Ill be out there until I find a RIVER MONSTER!!!

[Fish n Jeep]

If you've watched any of those shows about the noodlin' they do in Missouri & Oklahoma, those monsters are flatheads.

[Eskimo]

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Great report!

The intermittent showers on Saturday were maddening, but it kept most of the googans off the water.

I was fishing for channel cats out of my kayak at Spruce Run Reservoir on Saturday. I was doing well for a while, but I heard thunder and decided to get the hell off the water.

I tried to fish for channel cats at the Delaware Water Gap on Sunday, but there were literally THOUSANDS of city-people picnicking, blasting la-salsa music and swimming in every pool in the river.. I couldn't find a hole in the river that didn't look like public swimming pool. I'll never go back there again on a weekend in the summer.

[Jigman13]

.

The intermittent showers on Saturday were maddening

I wish it was just showers by me. I'm down in Ewing and the rain was torrential. It was coming down in buckets.

Nice fish, too FE. Grabbing my heavier gear tonite. I'm thoroughly intrigued now LOL...

[FASTEDDIE29]

Come get some fellas. I think it's time for F&G to dip there little net into another area of the BIG D! Flatheads are alive and well in the river. Going Saturday hopefully!!!!!

[Dave B.]

Eddie, you might want to consider killing those flatheads per F&G regs. From the regs... "Anglers MUST destroy these species if encountered while fishing and are directed to submit specimens or photos to a Div. of F & W Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries biologist for verification."
Page 17 of the regs book, bottom center under "Potentially Dangerous Fish".

[DRiverRat]

True that Dave B. I've only caught 4 flats but they were all dispatched, per dfw regs. (smallest 5#, largest 15#)
If I hadn't kept them I would have missed out on the best tasting catfish
I've ever eaten. Look up a good catfish recipe and you'll be amazed at how
these fish taste, I'll never eat channel cat again.

[jmurr711]

i need to find those hings in philly

[Fish n Jeep]

They are supposedly quite prolific in the Skookle.

NJF Invasive Species Fish Fry, still a good idea.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Eddie, you might want to consider killing those flatheads per F&G regs. From the regs... "Anglers MUST destroy these species if encountered while fishing and are directed to submit specimens or photos to a Div. of F & W Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries biologist for verification."
Page 17 of the regs book, bottom center under "Potentially Dangerous Fish".


I've done my share of destroying these RIVER MONSTERS. In 8-10 trips for them since last July, I've destroyed and consumed at least 20 of the delicious Flatheads that I have caught. No worries mate, I always do my part. Averaging 2 Flatheads a trip! YEA BUDDY!!!!! :D

P.S. Most delicious Catfish I've ever eaten!!!!!!

[shucker]

Killing these beasts will do NOTHING to there population in the Big D,soon they will be in the tribs if there not already.

[Dave B.]

Nice job on the flatties Eddie! I've yet to tangle with one myself but I hear they fight like hell! Not to mention being tastier than channels, which ain't bad at all IMHO.

I couldn't agree more with you Shucker, killing every one caught is only slightly delaying the inevitable. They're already well established in the lower and middle 'D', the Schuylkill, and lower Rancocas Creek. Next stop, most likely the lower Musky in NJ and on up the Lehigh on PA if they haven't already climbed that ladder.

Along the same vein of 'invasive' species, the snakeheads are also quite well established here in the lower tidal 'D'. There are a few locations that have already become quite well known to a few local anglers as 'Go-to' spots for snakeheads. These locales consistently produce.

[jmurr711]

Nice job on the flatties Eddie! I've yet to tangle with one myself but I hear they fight like hell! Not to mention being tastier than channels, which ain't bad at all IMHO.

I couldn't agree more with you Shucker, killing every one caught is only slightly delaying the inevitable. They're already well established in the lower and middle 'D', the Schuylkill, and lower Rancocas Creek. Next stop, most likely the lower Musky in NJ and on up the Lehigh on PA if they haven't already climbed that ladder.

Along the same vein of 'invasive' species, the snakeheads are also quite well established here in the lower tidal 'D'. There are a few locations that have already become quite well known to a few local anglers as 'Go-to' spots for snakeheads. These locales consistently produce.

& I TRIED EM ALL WITH NO LUCK!

[Dave B.]

& I TRIED EM ALL WITH NO LUCK!


Damn Joe, sorry to hear that! My son and grandson hit one of them last week and managed 2 snakes and a baby striper about 15 inches, along with a few bullheads.