Virginia Flathead Catfish, How To Catch Them

Virginia has many lakes, streams, ponds and rivers full of all types of catfish ranging in a variety of sizes. You can reel in a cat weighing as little as one pound and some can weigh more than one hundred pound.

The Flathead catfish is one of Virginia's most sought after species because it has so much to offer the angler. The flathead catfish is also known as the yellow cat, shovelhead and Opelousas catfish. They are originally a North American freshwater species that is very invasive when introduced to new areas.

The flathead is a unique looking catfish with a flat head and a projecting jaw. Its skin has no scales and is very smooth. It has the whisker barbells surrounding the mouth and you'll find long very sharp spines located on the dorsal fin. It also has one sharp spine on each side of the pectoral fin. The tail fin only has a slight notch instead of being forked like some of the other catfish. In the right environment, the flathead can grow to about three or four feet and weigh over one hundred pounds.

Most all catfish are considered scavengers and they will eat just about anything. However, the flathead is different. They only prey on live fish. The very young flatheads will feed mostly on invertebrates such as worms, crayfish and insects. As they grow they start feeding off of crap, suckers, largemouth bass, shad and even other smaller catfish.

Where to Go Fishing in Virginia
There are many places to go fishing in Virginia and some of them are well-known for having many catfish. Having some idea of where to go ahead of time will help you get out on the water and start fishing much faster. Wherever you go in Virginia, there is some place to go catfish fishing and below are the names of a few of the most well-known lakes and reservoirs.

Lakes and reservoirs in Virginia where the Flathead can be found:
Smith Mountain Lake
Lake Gaston
Claytor Lake
Lake Anna
Leesville Reservoir
Western Branch Reservoir
Philpott Lake
South Holston Lake
Lake Chesdin
Lake Moomaw
Kerr Lake
Lake Drummond

It's interesting to know that the state record for the channel catfish came from the Rappahannock River and the blue catfish was caught in Buggs Island Lake. The Western Branch Reservoir was the home of the state record for the white catfish and the state record for the flathead catfish was pulled out of Occoquan Reservoir.

Tips for Catching Flathead Catfish
The flathead grows to be the second largest catfish there is. This means that you need to have the right equipment to reel them in. If you're seeking out the biggest ones in the water, then you need a good rod and reel and the right kind of fishing line and tackle. Otherwise, you're sure to end up losing your catch and probably some gear with it.