Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Extreme Flathead Action!


Recommended Posts

What a weekend of extreme flathead fishing!

Why Extreme? 'Cause I spent a couple nights in the boat with Rob (rushing) fishing flatheads on the Minnesota River. Rob knows extreme! smile.gif

I was not really sure what kind of a bite we were going to have, if we were going to have a bite. This is the earliest in the year I have started fishing flatheads but spring came early, water temps were way up, and the river levels are looking good so it was worth a shot.

We motored upstream checking out likely spots. A couple things we paid attention too while snooping around was the current and water depth. There is a lot of shoreline wood in the water right now but most of this wood is getting blasted by strong current. We were looking for likely areas out of the current with adjacent deep water.

The first spot we settled on Friday night was golden. At 9:28pm, I thought I noticed a thump on my rod and the tip started to pulse up and down. Hmmmm... somethings fooling around with my bullhead I thought. I picked up my rod and tried to feel for the fish but it didn't feel right, this sneaky devil was swimming upstream on me. I reeled up until I could feel weight and drove the hook home. Game on! Good fish! Didn't really think it was a big one until it surfaced out from the boat, kicked his tail, and pulled out 10 yards of line. LOL! I love this stuff. smile.gif

1st Flathead Outing of the year + 1st "Run" of the year = 1st Flathead of the year.

27lbs and change none-the-less. smile.gif

050507hanson27lbflatheaoz0.jpg

That fish right there made my night. It didn't matter if I caught another fish all night but that wouldn't be the end of the action. We located the boat closer into shore in shallower water and had action almost immediately.

The next fish is not much to brag about but proves the 1st wasn't a fluke. smile.gif

050507hanson10lbflatheacc0.jpg

I had 2 more "runs" on Friday night. Missed on one of them and hooked up with another good fish that came unbuttoned halfway back to the boat. Dang! Could have been a real good night if I kept that one on.

Anyway... Saturday found me sleeping in until 1pm at which time Rob and I headed out to catch more bullheads. We were windmilling the bullies in left and right when Rob had to go and catch an "eater" sized walleye. Was this a sign of things to come? Maybe... smile.gif

Back on the river, it was scouting time again. We could have fished the same spot back to back nights but we wanted to do some more exploring. What we were looking for was more of the same, slack water areas with deep water nearby.

We did find some of these spots but I also found something I wasn't looking for... a trophy marbleye. smile.gif

This is the 3rd trophy walleye I've caught with catfish techniques- 8' Berkley Reflex rod, Garcia 7000C3 reel, 80lb PowerPro line, 10/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hook, and a lively little bullhead. smile.gif My bait was sitting in about 2' of water 3' away from the shoreline when I had a zinging little clicker run. We took a quick pic of a great incidental catch and let her go! Big smiles for me. smile.gif

Incidental 27" Walleye on a lively Bullhead

050607hanson27inchwalleer3.jpg

This spot we were fishing was not choice #1 for the night so we made a quick move to our "choice" spot, anchored up right against the shoreline, and I pulled this small flat out within 5 minutes of anchoring. Love it when that happens! Must have been my lucky new life jacket. smile.gif

050607hanson5lbflatheadtp1.jpg

We sat for awhile getting pounded by wind and waves. I need to mention that I hate wind! Part of the reason we tied right to shore was to keep the boat stationary, and therefore keep our baits stationary. Close to shore was probably good as this spot was a steep cutbank and I was still registering 8'-9' of depth 2' away from the bank.

About the time the grill and brats came out, Rob decided to take things to the extreme and get a flathead in the boat. Atta boy!

Rushing w/ an Extreme Action 24lb Flathead grin.gif

050507rob24lbflatheadsk0.jpg

What a great way to start out the summer! This trip was either beginner's luck or a sign of things to come, lets hope its the latter.

Thanks for hopping in the boat Rob! Was an awesome 2 nights of fishing!

NOTE: Exact Fishing Locations not disclosed to protect the innocent. smile.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great to see ya had a good time this weekend Hanson... I have tuesday and Wendnesday off. Hopefully I'll have something to post.

Eric

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks like its time to go find some bait then! grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

nice fish and sounds like a blast now I just have to finish rebuilding my carbs on my merc and will be headin down that way soon I can only pray for a night like that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll be out there.....

Anyone else getting out tonight or this weekend??

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll be out Friday and Saturday for sure. Got my bullies already

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Maybe see ya out there.

I haven't found anyone to fish with yet for the weekend. All my buddies seem to want to go fishing on the lakes for garbage fish.....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.