fishinwrench

If you're catching them....then you're doing it right. 👍

The only time to handfish is when they are spawning. You're not gonna find a flathead fanning and willing to sit still while you fondle it otherwise.

Thanks for the explanation, but that seems ridiculous to me. Suspended fish 200' away ? You'd think they'd be more interested in a transducer with better close range target separation. Possibly the narrower cone angle results in better target separation. That would explain it. 👍

Has he discovered something that meets all 4 criteria? I'd be interested to hear about it.

Here's what I notice: Guys install FFS and then spend every bit of 3-5 months fussing over settings and transducer angles. Then when they finally get it all "dialed in" and begin to really figure things out.... something new and improved comes out and the process repeats itself. Overnight success with FFS does not happen unless you are a genuine gamer. And the payoff after you've spent the time to get it all figured out is being HEAD DOWN & ALL HUNCHED OVER, piddling around out in the middle of flats chasing fish that, for the most part, are less than 3 pounds. I'm fascinated by it, and I've learned some cool stuff just by watching some fish, but I'm in no mood to spend the time necessary to truly get good at it. And then there's the cost....

No experience with solar powered anything......But definitely charge them individually. 👍

Maybe not 🤷‍♂️ Never been snipe hunting either. Likely another OKIE thing. 😅 Handfishing though? Yep! I'd say so.

The last 7 words you put out on this post, pretty much explains you fishinwrench 😄. Pretty much explains EVERYONE that isn't repeatedly in the Top 10. Does it not? I'm close to several Top 10ers, and according to them keeping your bait in view, and studying their reaction, is important. So you might wanna work on that if you plan to use it in competition.....or just want to get the most out of it.

What's the deal with guys wanting to switch to saltwater transducers? I'm not understanding this at all, and I keep getting calls wanting me to swap them out. I'm purposely not keeping up on all of this.....but I'm wondering if I need to, or am supposed to. 🙄 What's the difference?

I've had them, plenty. And they are good. Definitely better than channel cat or Blues......but not better than White bass or Bluegill IMO.

I had a Golden Retriever that jumped a fence and ripped his ball sack open and his nuts were hanging out. I thought I was gonna puke. My buddy, who was a big-time trapper and hog farmer grabbed his testicles and just RIPPED THEM OUT. 😳 I REALLY thought I was gonna puke THEN. Took the dog to his house, he covered the area with some purple spray that he called "L.A." and taped him up. Everything healed Just fine, but man I could have never done that.

"We need help castrating these here swine!" "I know, let's ask the dude with only one good hand to do it." 🙄 That boy has a fart in his brain. 😅

I'm just going by what the ones posting video's on YT do, and what a couple of my customers have said. I have had no personal experience handfishing since I was 15 years old. The whole SHOVING YOUR HAND THROUGH ITS GILLS thing was something me and my buds never attempted. We rigged a limbline hook on a piece of trotline cord, reached in and stabbed them just behind the caudal fin.....then jumped back and drug them out backwards. Seemed smarter than trying to find their mouth.....and it worked just fine. There was a year or two during the 90's when Missouri made it legal, and I was gonna try it along some bluffs here at lake O.....just to show off ....but I never did because the water seemed too clear. Dark muddy water is best, keeps them shallow. There was a fatality across from 4-Seasons by a drunk dude handfishing, and then it seemed shortly after that they made it illegal again.

Are you concerned about seeing the fish before you make a cast ? Or being able to actually watch the fish react to the bait during each cast ? From what I've done, which admittedly isn't that much, fish holding under docks, or tight to the bottom, are hard to distinguish consistently until they actually move towards your bait. So I'm not sure there's a clear answer. Being able to track your bait is #1 and that requires lots of practice.....So much so that about 2 hours of doing that would give me a headache, and totally take the enjoyment out of fishing. When it's windy, or the boat is drifting, keeping the transducer pointed STRAIGHT AT THE BAIT during the entire retrieve is the answer.....but that is more of a video game exercise than a fishing exercise. You already claim to be "very good at it" so you got this. 👍. I'm pretty sure I suck at it. 😅

I have several customers that crow all the time about....."We catch big flatheads!" 🙄 No, you have caught some big flatheads. Who hasn't? But you can't leave the house EXPECTING to! I don't care what day or time of the year it is. Can I leave the house EXPECTING to catch Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Channel cat, Blue cat, Walleye, White bass? You betcha! But Flatheads? Heck No ! Nobody can, and that's a fact.

I was referring to pole & line in Missouri. I'll have to puss out on the handfishing these days......but I do have a few Polaroids in the drawer, taken back when I thought I was the toughest thing on the river. Oklahoma punks build and anchor crates, and sink clay pipes for those fish to gather in. We poked around in root wads, muskrat tunnels, and REAL scary places. I ain't doing that anymore. Flathead is good, but it isn't THAT GOOD !

Again. Any takers ? 😉

I call BS. You deleted cuz you got defeated. (COOL RHYME HU?) Thanks for LIFTING ME UP ! 😂

Every day, brother. 👍

That's ok @Lvn2Fish I got you screenshotted before you deleted it 😅 Does that mean you're not gonna answer ? 😢

Woah,😳 Sorry if that little dose of reality made you feel like ?&$- , and demolished your pride. That wasn't my intention, but you're welcome to criticize any of my past lame-brain career paths. Fire Away ! But you'll have to do your own forensic research, cuz I'm not gonna openly brag about them. 😂 Really? Who else have I "quickly shot down"? No really, answer that ! Can you? Wasn't Shooting YOU down either, regardless of how you took it. Just trying to inject some reality into the mindset that might help others who are taking the same path. I know you said that your insurance was paid....but did your policy writer know that you were boating in a competitive level? Did it state that in your policy? Do you have any idea how screwed you would have been if anything ACTUALLY happened? This is something that tournament directors purposely do NOT verify, because if they did then it would cut the number of entrys to 1/3. If you truly are "Lvn2fish" then all of this is something you SHOULD already know. So, anyway, let's hear it....Who have I shot down ? 🤔

"career" ? 500.00 per month for 9 months....less entry fees, fuel, maintenance, tackle, insurance, and wear& tear. And lodging. Sounds ok when you say it fast, and might impress your sister inlaw......But, you could have mowed the neighbors yard and came out better financially. 😅 Oh wait, you weren't properly insured? Well then, there goes THAT idea. You're a good ways in the hole, and wearing dirty underwear. 🫣

That's embarrassing! 🙄

Yeah you can target them in late June by noodling..... But don't brag about it on Facebook! 😉

Are you claiming that you are capable of successfully going "FLATHEAD FISHING" ? I'll take that bet. 👍 Announce what day you'd like to go, buy a newspaper that morning, and post a pic here before dark.