North Carolina River Fishing and Canoeing with Mack: 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-