Jeff Gets a Flathead

I  Just got back from a week in the Florida Keys crossing a few fish off of my "Bucket List".
Tarpon, Black Drum, Cuda, Mangrove Snapper, Jack are all now off of that list. I even wanted to see a Key Deer and after 2 hours of sitting still a nice Key Deer Buck came by. Ok, it was actually only 5 minutes but I got to see a Key Deer.
So, Saturday the 20th I was taking a nap recuperating and my wife comes into the bedroom and says Jeff is here. Crap, there went my nap.

Jeff talks me into going to a local flow for a short float for Bass. We look at usgs.gov and the water level looks perfect.  We arrive at our destination and the water looks like crap.  Too bad usgs.gov doesn't show water clarity.  Now I like stained to slightly muddy water but this was so muddy I think I actually saw a Raccoon track float by!  We stood there deciding on our options and after a little arm twisting  I talked Jeff into going to a nearby spot for Flatheads.

First we would have to get bait. So off to the Bait store it was. I had only brought  1 cat rod since this was originally a bass trip so we took turns fishing for cats.  I went first and caught one 20 lbs or so. Now, it was Jeff's turn .  He casted to one hole and after 15 mins or so he casted to another hole and  almost immediately his line started moving to the left. he set the hook and after a short brief battle he had his first Flathead!  Awesome! Now, if I could just get him to go after Shad on the Shad run.

Note - no Flatheads were harmed today but 7 goldfish were.   7 x $2.75 apiece and a 4.99 baitbucket = $26.24
Catching Flatheads- Priceless

Rod - 7ft Heavy American Spirit NiteStik-   This imo is the best rod on the market for the money

link to Rod........

http://www.bottomdwellerstackle.com/american_spirit.htm


Reel- Abu 7000C
Line- Cajun 40 lb
Hook- 9/0 Gama J hook
Bait-Goldfish
Weight -2 oz Bank Sinker
Time-6pm-8pm

Picture of Rig-

Picture of How I hook the Bait-

Results-

A great afternoon on the water. Mack

Danville, Virginia

#flatheadcatfish

#fishing

Piedmont Float 5/29/15

Steve and myself fished a 5 mile stretch of a local river.  The action wasn't like we have seen it in the past, the 1st half of the trip was good but not the great we have been used to, The second half of the trip the bite was terrible. I managed 1 small bass and lost on 3lb bowfin,

I usually fish this river with either a White Buzzer or a white spinnerbait.  Instead today I started off with good solid fish on a Pearl White Super Fluke. I caught maybe 10 of the fluke.

 I then switched to a white spinnerbait and was rewarded with the ole gal.  She was a Brawler.

And another decent bass

probably had 54-56 inches in these 3 fish. For the tourney I will need to add at least 5 inches to do well. A different spot it will be, 

                                      

   Date 5/29/15

   Location- Central North Carolina River

   Lures used- White Pearl Fluke and White 

   Spinnerbait.

A good day on the River, It sure beats workin. We saw herons, Ducks, Osprey's, Deer and 1 lone huge Bald eagle.

Mack