The Flathead Catfish, scientific name Pylodictis olivaris, is also known as the yellow cat, Opelousas, mud cat, yellow cat and shovelhead cat. Flathead Catfish are typically pale yellow to light brown on their back and sides, and have black and/or brown splotches. The belly is usually pale white or a creamy yellow color. The head is broadly flattened resembling a spade shovel. The lower jaw protrudes over the upper jaw. The teeth pads extend to the back of the mouth on both sides. The tail fin is only slightly notched. The chin barbels are white to yellow, the fins are mottled, and the anal fin, which has fewer than 16 rays, is short and rounded. This trait helps anglers to distinguish small bullhead catfish from small flatheads. Below are some basic seasonal guidelines. Bear in mind these are just guidelines. The flatheads activities, including spawning, eating and the winter dormant state they experience all depend on water temperature. What works this year may not work next year.
December – March: Water temperatures are usually in the low to mid 40’s this time of year. As the water drops down to the 40’s the flathead becomes very lethargic and is typically not caught during these times. I say “typically” because flatheads can be caught during this time but you basically have to drop the bait on their heads. If you are lucky enough to catch one it will probably have a thin layer of mud and silt on it from not moving. This is the time of year we mostly spend our time fishing for the flathead’s cousin, the blue cat.
April: Here in NC, the water temperatures are still too cold to actively pursue the flatheads in the rivers except in the southernmost regions of the State. This is the time of year we spend fishing for shad and stripers. Some flatheads can be caught in the local lakes. The best places to try for flatheads would be shallow bays or coves in some of the bigger lakes, such as Badin or Kerr. The shallow bays will have warmer water and may attract some pre-spawn flatheads looking for an easy meal. Best baits this time of the year would be fresh cut shad, herring or even live panfish.
May: River flatheads finally start to think about eating. The bite starts slow, first in the shallow rivers such as the Neuse north of I-95, Tar, Deep and the Lumber River. As the days grow longer and the sun begins to warm the deeper rivers, flatheads become more active in rivers such as the Cape Fear, the lower Neuse River below I-95 and the Haw River. This time of year the local rivers should be crammed full of shad making their annual spawning run. Places to look for flatheads would be creek mouths as they begin to stage for the spawning season. Also, submerged wood cover such as logs and exposed root balls on under-cut banks are good locations. Flatheads like a hard rocky bottom and a slow current as opposed to its cousin, the blue cat, who thrive in a stiff current. Best baits start to change this time of year. Flatheads will stage up in deep water holes, large brush piles or log jams during the day. As evening falls and nighttime is near, the flathead will leave their daytime haunts and head to the shallows to hunt for food. The flathead’s preferred bait is the panfish, but live suckers, shad, eels and even crayfish can produce flatheads. Just remember that the flathead catfish prefer LIVE BAIT! So whatever you choose make sure it’s alive and makes a lot of vibrations to attract the flathead.
June-July: This may be the hardest time to catch big flatheads. Flatheads have one thing on their minds and it isn’t eating. They are thinking about a mate. Once the water temperatures reach between 72-77 F, the males seek out a nest. Most nests are made in under-cut banks, secluded rock outcroppings or flooded timber. After the female lays the eggs the males defend their nest and eggs aggressively even against their own mate. They will fan the nest with their tails to keep the eggs oxygenated and clean. If the water conditions are favorable and the pair is healthy, compact egg masses, commonly referred to as clutches, can range from 100,000 eggs for a 20-30 lb female all the way up to 300,000-400,000, for a 50 lb. female. Despite the large number of eggs only about 10%-20% will make it to see their first birthday.
August-October: This is by far the best and easiest time to catch big flatheads in the local rivers. Spawning is over and the big males are hungry. As long as you have the patience it does not matter which river you choose to fish; you will be rewarded. Find a spot that is near some type of cover. Brush piles, log-jams, under-cut banks isolated holes or drop offs all make excellent choices for cover. Neck down areas and sand bars are also great choices. Set up river from the cover or structure and cast towards the cover. If you are fishing in the day you may have to place your baits in the cover. As night approaches you can fish further away from the cover. Again, the best baits are big live panfish. Some other good bait includes suckers, carp, shad, bullheads, eels, leeches, and small catfish. One of the best ways to catch flatheads during these months is to watch for rising water levels. An afternoon or evening thunderstorm may make all the difference. My best night on the water was in mid-August. My fishing partner and I landed 27 flatheads ranging from 36lbs to 15 lbs. It was right after we had a morning thunderstorm and the river was on the rise. All the flatheads that night were caught on live panfish.
November: As November rolls around and the water temps start to fall off, so does the flathead bite. Flatheads can be caught but are more than likely migrating to their deep wintering holes.
Gear and Tackle
Fishing for flathead catfish using a rod and reel can be a very exciting and rewarding experience.
Sometimes you can spend as much time and effort catching the baitfish ahead of time as is spent fishing for flatheads.
When I am fishing shallow rivers such as the Neuse, I will use a 7’ stout rod with a medium-heavy or heavy action and large line-capacity reels. I need a stout rod to be able to horse the fish away from the structure. My line choice is a 65 lb. braided main line made by Suffix with a 50 lb. shock monofilament leader. Line strength ranging from 20–80 test breaking strength is common. I use a 7/0 circle hook with a 2-3 oz no-roll sinker.
When I fish the bigger rivers such as the Haw or the Cape Fear I use a longer rod to be able to make more precise casts. I prefer a 9’ rod with a large line capacity reel. Circle hooks may be changed in favor of j hooks. Immediately, from the hook set you have control of the catfishes head therefore you may be able to get the catfish away from cover before he has a chance to get you hung up.
Generally speaking, whatever you decide to use, make sure it can get the job done. Below are some guidelines for rod, reels and terminal tackle. Also bear in mind, most of the local department stores sell cat fishing rod and reel combos for under $40.00 that are capable of landing a 40 pound flathead, so don’t worry. You don’t have to take out a second mortgage to outfit yourself properly.
Catfish rods have to be stout. They may range from 7’-10’ depending on individual preference. Rod action should be medium to medium/heavy. The reels should be balanced and matched to the rod to prevent reel wobble. Reels should have a good, strong, smooth drag and have a high line capacity. Circle hooks are common as are j hooks. The circle hook’s unique shape and design allows it to only hook onto a raised surface such as the corner of the mouth. The fish takes the bait and swallows it. As the fish swims away the hook is safely pulled out of the gullet until it reaches the mouth. At this point it will catch the corner of the mouth of the fish. The angler then can begin to reel in the fish. This method is good for beginning anglers who do not know when or how to set the hook. Using circle hooks reduces the amount of gut hooked fish and allows the angler to practice CPR if they desire. J hooks require the angler to “set” the hook. The size of the bait will dictate the size of the hook. Typically a 5/0 all the way up to 10/-12/0 hooks are acceptable. Sinkers and swivels should all be complimentary to the size of the flathead you are targeting and the waters you are fishing in.
One other important note about flathead baits: as I previously mentioned the best baits for flatheads are live panfish. Before collecting panfish or any other baits for flatheads, make sure you consult the State Fishing Regulations for laws regarding collecting and possessing your bait species of choice.
Your rig can be as complicated or as simple as you want to make it. I prefer to use a simple Carolina rig with a 12” leader. My main line is heavier than my leader line, that way if I get hung up I won’t loose my entire rig. Some anglers use a three-way rig, where the sinker is on a down line. This is a common rig for drift fishing for cats but more suited for blue cats rather than flatheads. Another popular method for fishing for flatheads would be the slip bobber. The slip bobber employs a float that slides freely along the fishing line. Slip bobbers can be used in rivers but are very difficult to effectively rig. Because most of my fishing for flatheads is done in a river and the fact that flatheads like to hold close to the cover in the daytime, anchoring and using Carolina rigs are the most effective and productive ways to target flatheads.
Flathead fishing can be very tough at times but as long as you can remember a few things eventually you will be rewarded for your efforts. Use live bait. Flatheads can’t resist a big thumping bluegill! Fish for flatheads at night. Flatheads are nocturnal and do most of their feeding at night. Check your line frequently, a knick or abrasion can spell doom if a big flathead takes your bait. Last but not least have fun and be patient. I know it’s hard not to get frustrated when they are not biting but with time and patience comes knowledge and results.
General Information
The Flathead Catfish has been called a fresh water shark because of its ferocious appetite. To gain one pound, flatheads must eat about 10 pounds of live food. A flathead weighing 30 lbs must consume between 5-10 lbs of food daily to sustain their weight.
Although the flathead is not a NC native fish the flathead has proved to be a well sought after opponent. The flathead offers the fight of a lifetime and they provide excellent table fare. The title non-native” has made the flathead a target of a group of individuals that would prefer the flathead be eradicated in local NC waters. The flathead has been given a bad rap for the declining numbers of several native NC species of fish including the redbreast sunfish, white catfish and bullhead catfish. Many studies have been performed regarding the decline of these native fish. The studies are vague and are open to the reader’s interpretation.
One on-going study is being conducted by Dr. Tom Kwak, Associate Professor of Zoology at North Carolina State University. Dr. Kwak is the unit leader of the N.C. Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and is the primary investigator of one of the first extensive studies of the Flathead Catfish. The studies are ongoing and results are released periodically. Myself personally I would prefer to catch a 40 lb. flathead instead of a 1lb. red breasted sunfish, but hey that’s just me.
Although many methods of catching flatheads are acceptable, such as noodling, grappling, jugging and using trot lines or limb lines, I fish with a rod and reel. I enjoy the fight. Besides, I try to practice CPR (catch, photo and release) with all of my catfish. Rod and reel offers the fish the best chance of being released without harm.
The NC State Record Flathead was caught by Brian Newberger on Sept. 17. 2005. Newberger caught the 78-pound, 52-inch Flathead from the Cape Fear River above Lock and Dam #3 in Cumberland County. Newberger used a whole live eel to entice his cat.
The Current World Record Flathead is a 123-pounder caught from Elk City Reservoir in Kansas on May 14, 1998. Ken Paulin caught it. Here is the clincher; supposedly the fish was caught on a Zebco 33 with 12lb. test.
