In need of flathead advice

All very good questions. I'll share with you what I know or think I know. Summer time flat heads are different than winter and or spring. Seems in the summer flat heads will patrol shallower runs with current and most important with good bait supply. Winter I believe you'll find them in deeper holes and less active. When spring arrives and water temperatures reach around 50 degrees, they become more active and start feeding in preparation for their spawn. When the water hits 60 - 65 degrees, they'll spawn. Very difficult to hook up during the spawn. Post spawn they will fall into their summer patterns. Shallow water is from what I've experienced where they'll feed at night but find runs in proximity to deeper pools with good structure such as fallen trees. log jams, boulders, rocks, bridge abutments etc.. Something they can call home when their night time feeding is over. Concentrations of good structure with good current and bait is important. Flatheads prefer areas with current and will follow the softer seams with lesser current when feeding. I believe stronger current is important as it is well oxygenated and holds bait fish but the softer seams in my opinion provide the ambush points. These fish are big with big appetites and like many big fish they have to eat but want to exert as little energy as possible. For that reason, dark nights are a preference over well lit nights. Gives flatheads an advantage. Also have read that flatheads eyes are very light sensitive and darker is better. Cloudy nights or nights with lower moon illumination are well documented as producing on average better results. Live bait is a must although cut bait will catch fish, just not nearly as much as live bait. I would guess bluegills are at the top of that list but I've used and caught on yellow perch, sunnies and rock bass. Carp, suckers, river chub, eels, bullhead catfish all account for fish but I would guess gills are the most popular and maybe for that reason most productive. You want something that gives off as much movement as possible since flat head sense vibrations through their lateral lines when they feed. The livelier the bait the better your results will be.

As far a circle hooks versus J hooks, real good question, Up until recently I used circles with good luck but have had a recent run of missed hits with circle hooks. In some cases big runs that I didn't hook up. Many times flat heads will grab the bait and turn right back towards you so in those cases circles will not work. In many cases they will run with a bait for a long period of time as well before swallowing it and committing. Again if you engage too soon a circle will miss the mark. Just recently I've switched to J hooks but it might come down to the area you're fishing and or your preference. I'd fish two rods, one with circles and one with J hooks and make your own decision. Regardless of which way you go, you need a hook with a wide gap, size 8/0 to 10/0 in my humble opinion. As far a fish running, some run upstream, some run downstream. A big fish will take a serious amount of drag so use something that has a little back bone and make sure you tie good knots. Weight wise I usually go with 2 - 4 oz. no roll sinkers and sometimes more if current dictates. Personally I use 40 lb power pro to an 80 lb swivel to ~ 2 ft of 30 lb fluorocarbon leader and as I said earlier a size 8/0 to 10/0 hook. A bead between the slide sinker and swivel to help from fraying the knot.

I leave the reel in free spool with the clicker on. I use a light stick on the rod tip as well to provide visibility of a hit before the audible sound of drag coming off the reel occurs. I've found that getting to the rod and releasing the clicker provides a better shot at the fish not feeling any tension and dropping the bait.

Hope that helps, get out there and give it a shot. Once you experience the strength of one of these fish you'll be hooked! Good luck and let us know how you make out.