Table Rock Flatheads

[Bulldog402]

Hello everyone. New guy here. Im from Omaha, NE and have an uncle that moved near table rock lake about a year ago. I am heading down that way mid-August to spend some time down there. We will be staying near Indian Point and more than likely fishing that part of the lake. I would really like to get into some flathead catfish down there and was wondering if anyone could offer me any advice. I fish for them in rivers up here (not very successfully) but I know down there the ball game is totally different. What areas should I be looking for? What kind of structure? Do they hand off of those giant rock walls you guys have down there? Flooded timber? Log piles? Rocky shores? Also, like my area, I'm guessing you can't go wrong with a nice lively bluegill for bait? Do they hit cutbait down there? Sorry I am so full of questions on my first post. I would really like to be successful down there.

[Fisherman Sam]

Welcome to the forum Bulldog402! You are correct about the bluegill for bait. I've seen much success with Flatheads by using bluegill (or any other sunfish for that matter), cut bait, and even stinkbait. In my opinion, the kind of structure you should look for is flooded timber. Table Rock is beautiful and a great fishing lake so I'm sure you will enjoy yourself regardless! I hope you are successful this August in your pursiut of flatheads on TR. Good luck!

-Sam

[Martin]

I don't chase the flatheads in August, but a trotline baited with LIVE bluegills/sunfish would be my bait of choice. In May and June (when I have time) I tie a short t-line tight and up high in the timber....My best area's then (springtime) are steep narrow coves back in the creek arms. The only reason I can give you on the "tight and up high" is that a good fish will pull your line down and get hung-up if you let it sag much in the middle....I like t-lines with about 12 hooks to keep from being hung-up all the time.... I've always wondered about those timbered bluff walls. They would seem to be a great place. I have just not tried them....I tie parallel to shore in water up to 20 or 25 feet deep. Even 14 feet of water works for me...Again, that's May & June.....

Good luck ! You may just catch a monster...Report in if you can...

[abkeenan]

Couldnt have agreed or said it better than Martin. That is tip top info and EXACTLY spot on what I do with my lines. Trotline is the way to go if you are after the cats just for the sake of the meat, if fishing rod and reel then I can't help you there.

-Brett

[Bulldog402]

I run set lines here in Nebraska, but I have never run a trotline, nor do I know how to. Sets, trots, jugs and limblines are all illegal in lakes up here. I run my sets on the rivers(where it is legal here). Can anyone explain how a trotline is set up and ran? Have a helpful link or anything?

Thanks for the great info guys, I really appreciate it!

[johnm]

Lots of great info on the internet, hopefully this helps.

http://www.askcatfishfishing.com/how-do-i-set-up-a-trotline.html

Hopefully this site will help explain. Whatever you do just be careful running lines especially if u have a weight on one end or in the middle. If u get hooked and slip because of wind or rough water, you'll end up at the bottom.

[Kicknbass]

Live Bluegills, the bigger the better. Woody structure. Find a place where the wind and waves move the wood back into the backs of cuts and coves off the main lake arms near deep water (30 plus) Tie on to a snag, pull the line to another nearby snag say 75-200 ft away. Weight the line near the ends to get it down near (not on) the bottom. Your hooks need to be at multiple depths starting about 10 feet down to about 25' deep. Your only allowed 33 hooks in the water per person at a time. No need for that many in one location. Only place about 10 hooks at any location. Bait up in the evening, due to most fish will be caught at night, but re-baiting in the morning after checking your lines, will yield fish as well, not as many as at night, but you'll catch fish during the day. Move your lines often. If you don't get bit first night, try a new location fast. Also, if you catch a few then the bite stops, move. Remember, more hooks in the water doesn't equate to more fish, but multiple locations will. 6 locations with 5 hook per location will yield twice the fish as 10 hooks at three locations. Find a place that you can catch sunfish every cast, and set your line close by.

The fish will be caught deep, but not below the thermal-cline. I'll be down next week running a few lines, I'll let you know how they are biting after next week.

Good luck.

[Jeremy Rasnick]

I'd bait my line with a purple and chartruse crank (Just Kidding). But seriously, i did catch 4 flatheads in an hour with a deep crank yesterday evening. I've been hearing a ton of good reports on flatheads right now.

[Fly_Guy]

echo the live bluegill - flatheads are much more predatorial (sp?) than channels and blues. I've only ever caught two, one on a crankbait, and one on a live crappie minnow.

[Martin]

I'll 2nd the "be careful" tip....If I'm alone, I ALWAYS keep a knife and a pair of side cutter wire cutter within reach. Lots of things can cause you to get stuck on a trotline hook. They are big and bad, and it's all the worse if there is a fish involved. Make SURE you can reach the knife to cut the dropper line if need be. Make sure your wire cutters are stout enough to cut the hook too.

Now go catch a biggun !

One more thing. Please, when you are done and heading back to the city or wherever, please untie or cut and remove your trotline from the lake. please.