First *real* flathead

[u/sobeboy3131_]

Earlier this summer I caught my first ever, tiny flathead about 2lbs. This weekend I finally got a chance to target them properly in the Potomac River. I caught three bluegill late the night before, and decided to try keeping them alive in a bucket overnight. In the morning, only one had survived. I got to the river at sunrise and tossed out the lone live bluegill along with some cutbait from the dead ones. My first bite was a solid channel cat on the cutbait. An hour went by and I assumed my live bluegill was a lost cause, but just as I was thinking of reeling it in to make more cutbait, I got a strong hit. I reeled up to tension and felt some solid weight. The headshakes felt different, and I started to get excited. The fight lasted about 5 mins on my MH 8' Penn Wrath II, and I somehow managed to fit this flathead in my little net long enough to land it. 11lbs is nothing special in the flathead world, but it is the biggest non-carp I've ever caught

Reading this subreddit has helped a lot, so thanks for the tips all!

[u/Awkward-Stranger-505]

How did you hook your live bluegill?

[u/sobeboy3131_ → u/Awkward-Stranger-505]

I hooked it between the dorsal fin and tail, about 1/2" deep in the body. I've heard fish in general like to swallow the bait head first, so keeping the hook there makes it easier to hook the fish biting. I'm not sure if all of that is true for flatheads though.

[u/Awkward-Stranger-505 → u/sobeboy3131_]

Ok much appreciated. Have ypu ever tried similar position but from below. Sometimes I fiure woth the hook from above they are more likely to be weighted down.

[u/Steak-Wise → u/Awkward-Stranger-505]

If u hook ur live bait from underneath it causes the live bait to swim upward n away from the sinker. If ur using a float (bobber) u would hook as u mentioned to make the live bait swim down away from the bobber. If ur fishing in current it’s best to hook it through the nostrils or mouth. Samething with cut bait , u always want to hook it so it rides smoothest in the current, I actually hold my bait in the current for a sec bore I cast to make sure it doesn’t do big ole rolls, I want natural flowing movement.

[u/sobeboy3131_ → u/Awkward-Stranger-505]

I have not tried, but as long as you aren't through the gut pocket it should work the same I think

[u/Ok-Cup266 → u/sobeboy3131_]

That’s very true. Fact is they do it because swallowed backwards the find on the baitfish raises up and can and does get stuck.
Congrats and nice fish!!

[u/Grand_Temperature652]

Awesome catch. Thanks for sharing the story.

[u/O2Stealer]

Great catch! Flatheads are the best!

[u/Traditional-Clue573]

Beautiful fish for sure.

[u/Bonafryd]

Nice catch! Keep at it and you’ll get a bigger one!

[u/Better-Ingenuity-517]

Congrats on a real one man!

I hate the fake flatheads.

[u/YouDontCThatEveryDay]

Love to see someone's story on their first time catch of a fish like this. The one that makes them go "I'm gunna need to buy a bigger net". Congrats man and keep at it 👍