Flatheads and Pike (9/24/16-9/25/16)

[JDTuna]

Saturday September 24

Dakota560 and I headed out in search of flatheads at the ol' whisker grounds. Got set up right at dark and began waiting for the sound of the drag. While we waiting on the flatheads to show, Dakota put on his secret rig and began hauling in 5+lb fat channels one after another. He was nice enough to let me use his rod to catch a few as well.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/JL1981/20160925_203538_zpsbazl2alz.jpg

It didnt take long to get the right bite on a flathead rod, but my hook turned back into the bait so I missed that one. Not long after, both of us had simultaneous runoffs. Mine did not come tight, but Dakota set the hook solidly and landed the first flathead of the night...a nice fish right around the 14lb mark.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/JL1981/20160925_203555_zpsbic6xyx6.jpg

Not long after, I had another runoff and landed a similar fish in the low teens.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/JL1981/20160925_191002_zpsvpmwwpxv.jpg

The bite slowed for a bit, and I left at about 1230am because I was bringing two friends pike fishing in the morning. After I left, Dakota got a big 23lb flathead and another fish in the low teens.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/JL1981/20160925_203444_zpsdl8jyyzd.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/JL1981/Tom%20flat%203_zpsmgbpg2if.jpg

Sunday September 25

Brought a couple of friends to the river looking for some pike. I knew the morning would be slow, but they could only fish until 1030am. Hit one spot with nothing to show. Made a move and I had a hit right off the bat but that was it. When they left, I stuck around for a little bit. As luck would have it, they turned on 5 min after they left. In the next 1/2hr, I caught two and missed a third.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/JL1981/20160925_111845_zps4jvrp2dv.jpg

This particular pike had a very unique pattern, and I think it is the same fish I caught in this exact spot twice last year. He grew quite a bit! Always good to see catch and release success!

[Jigman13]

Nice fish on both accounts!

Few weeks ago I had a few hours to kill so went pike fishing. Had the biggest pike I've ever seen in the river follow, charge, swipe and miss my 5/8 spinnerbait. Fish was all of 40" and fat. I actually got nervous when I saw it lol.

Managed a 36" though which was my biggest on the river to date.

[kcritch]

Sweet fish there dude..AGAIN!!! That spot certainly seems to like you. :D

Nicely Done!

[FASTEDDIE29]

Fantastic catching boyz! Looks like fish were happy to receive there free lip piercings from you fellas!

Tuna man! I've seen that Pike or a similar 1 on the end of my line as well! That fish either travels a lot or has an identical twin!:D

[JDTuna]

Nice fish on both accounts!

Few weeks ago I had a few hours to kill so went pike fishing. Had the biggest pike I've ever seen in the river follow, charge, swipe and miss my 5/8 spinnerbait. Fish was all of 40" and fat. I actually got nervous when I saw it lol.

Managed a 36" though which was my biggest on the river to date.

Oh wow! 40's are hard to come by in that river so that's really cool. A 36 is a fantastic fish, congrats!

[JDTuna]

Fantastic catching boyz! Looks like fish were happy to receive there free lip piercings from you fellas!

Tuna man! I've seen that Pike or a similar 1 on the end of my line as well! That fish either travels a lot or has an identical twin!:D

Haha nice! If it is the same fish he is definitely always willing to play! Can't wait till he's huge.

[NorthJerzyG]

Great fish, and pics !!! That pike looks like an albino in that shot. Good job on the c&r!!

[Esox Luciano]

Nice fizz all around fellaz!! Good report and we get to see the Infamous Dakota!!:D:D Good to see you guys came out on top. Nice pics guys!

[Eskimo]

.


The weather wasn't ideal with the falling temperatures and the clear skies, but it looks like you had a great weekend out there.

.

[Chrisper4694]

tom had to blur the picture in order to allow you to post it? hahaha

[dakota560]

Justin great night and enjoyed fishing with you! Thought the flat heads were going to be more active but between the drop in temperature and recent increase in water flow might have put them off a bit. Fish on average were a bit bigger then the 28 - 29 inch we've been getting recently. Channels were hot early but the bite died early am after you left. Earlier in the week with the increased flow the channels hit throughout the night. Wouldn't be out more than 5 - 10 minutes before getting hit. Fish are going to start transitioning and be on the move to deeper holes. They're aggressive, every bait lately seems to be in the fish's stomach. Again an amazing fishery and with the new moon coming this is a great time to fish for both quantity and quality. It's hard getting a picture by yourself but the 23lb fish had a big head and girth. Hard to tell from the picture. I put him on the ground to take a shot and two swipes of his tail he was back in the river swimming back to his lair! Camera shy I guess. Be back at it soon, should be a really good couple of weeks if not months for flat heads before they settle in to their deep wintering holes. Go get em' guys!

[AndyS]

Anyone who hasn’t tried eating flathead catfish is truely missing the boat. First of all there is absolutely no comparison between flathead and channel catfish in flavor. Flathead is much better to eat by a long shot. Flatheads are not scavenger fish like channel cats but instead are preditor fish much like a walleye or a bass. They eat live bait not decaying stuff on the bottom like a channel cat does. I’ve caught several big flathead while trolling/casting crankbaits and I get an occasional nice one when jigging. The flesh of a flathead is as white and sweet a meat as you can find with a much firmer texture than a channel cat. Very comparible to lobster when broiled and dipped in lemon butter. I’d say that flatheads are one of, if not the best eating fish in the river and I’m a walleye fisherman. Plus, pound for pound, they are one of the best fighting fish in the river. I’ll always keep eating size flatheads

[bigfishy]

then why did you let that log git away???:D

[MudCat08]

Nice catfish there !
Really looking forward to the next month or so, should be good biting for these river monsters.