Table Rock Flatheads

[Jason Essary]

Martin has you the right info. Remember bigger is better but I think 5" and above bluegill or other perch are prohibited. Dont count out shallow water after dark. Have caught some of my biggest flats in shallow (5 to 10') hooks. Always try to bait at dark. Turtles and crawfish like to eat the bait, so if you give them all daylight time, some to most of your bait will be gone after dark, when you really need it.

One more tip, take a pair of scissors and snip about half of their tail fins. Makes the bait swim more and attracts more bites.

I normally find a pole standing in the water around 30', tie to it and run 45 degree to the bank to one on the shore. Make sure your weights to pull it down have drop lines 3' and bait drops are 2'. Dont want your baits laying on the bottom, they need to be hanging over the bottom.

Circle hooks are wonderful but expensive. Use quality ones. I love to use the quick clips for trotlines with a swivle (sp) attached. If you happen onto a good channel or blue, they have a habit of rolling like an alligator. If they roll up the drop to the main line, they can get the leverage to unhook theirselves.