Roosevelt Lake Flathead Catfish Fishing Techniques

The flathead can be found in very large groups in areas that are sandy and located in and around reef areas. The flathead changes its location all during the day. Not only does the flathead change location throughout the day, but it varies its location from day to day.

Various rigs have been trailed in order to catch the flathead. The drifting rigs with a sinker attached to the bottom and hooks on traces higher up on the line are the most successful. The traces have loops approximately 20 centimeters (around 8 inches) and a blood dropper knot.

It is important to keep the loop short in order to lower the chance that it will twist and get tangled around the main line. In fact, the loop should stand out from this main line. It is possible to purchase wire traces to reduce tangling and twisting, but the flathead fish are reluctant to take the bait from these wire traps.

The sinker size is determined based on the depth of the water and the speed of the current and drift. It is quite important for the sinker to get to the bottom of the water quickly, and equally important that it stay there while the boat drifts. In order to be successful catching the flathead, it is vital when using prawn for bait to attach the entire prawn (including the shell) in order to prevent pickers from destroying the prawn bait. To lure the flathead successfully to the bait, it is important to maintain the appearance of the bait for as long as possible.

Cut the fish bait into 7 centimeter long strips that are 2 centimeters wide. The bait must be fresh. Either thread the bait onto the hook (be sure to expose the barb at the end) or just push the hook through the fish once. These two methods are the best for attaching the bait. Pushing the hook through permits the fish to float and move around in the current.

These are more enticing to the flathead and attracts them more than threading the bait onto the hook. This method is more rigid and consequently less attractive.

At Roosevelt Lake in Arizona, a record setting number of flatheads can be found. There is an abundance of fish at Roosevelt Lake due to the ideal weather conditions--it stays warm all year long. In addition to the ideal weather conditions, the lake is relatively shallow which provides excellent spawning locations, thus helping to continually increase the number of fish at Roosevelt Lake. It has been said that if you do not catch fish at Roosevelt Lake, then you probably are not trying very hard.

One of the best ways for an angler to be able to locate a flathead is to move to different locations rather than to wait for the flathead to come near him.

Flatheads favor channels at the end of sandbars. The flathead prefers this type of location because it sits and waits for other fish to swim by from nearby sandbars. Follow the habits of the flathead, and you will be rewarded with finding the flathead.