Need help finding these fish

[jakessvx1]

What were you feeding them, and what was their behavior before they died?

I was just feeding them flake food. They ate it no problem. That was another strange thing outside of their stomachs they acted normal and didnt seem distressed until they were about to die. I kinda think they might have had internal parasites, but I don't know much about it.

 

[MN_Rebel]

Catfish will eat just about anything, especially if it smells bad. From what I have read and seen in videos, if you use small bullheads for bait, you will catch some monster flatheads. I know you are looking for smaller flatheads though, so try using blood worms, or some cut bait like perch/spot/sunfish. The bloodier it is, the more the catfish will come after it.

I was just reading on the dnr site about flatheads. They are invasive and if caught are not to be released. I am interested in getting a few of those now for myself.

If you ever make it to MD let me know. There are thousands upon thousands of small bullheads around here.

The DNR also stated that it's illegal to transporting the live flathead catfish in Maryland...that means you have to kill them right on the spot before transporting them out.

 

[jakessvx1]

Catfish will eat just about anything, especially if it smells bad. From what I have read and seen in videos, if you use small bullheads for bait, you will catch some monster flatheads. I know you are looking for smaller flatheads though, so try using blood worms, or some cut bait like perch/spot/sunfish. The bloodier it is, the more the catfish will come after it.

I was just reading on the dnr site about flatheads. They are invasive and if caught are not to be released. I am interested in getting a few of those now for myself.

If you ever make it to MD let me know. There are thousands upon thousands of small bullheads around here.

I visit MD a couple times a year to watch the Orioles play. If you find baby black bullheads or any other fish I'm looking for I would be happy to meet up with you and buy them, or trade, assuming it's legal. I would have to research that.

You would have to find out the legality of it but, if you want big flatheads there is a place on the James river near here where you can catch them so easily with sunfish for bait that I hear it gets boring after a couple hours. Never fished for them there, but went swimming once and wore a mask and saw with my own eyes dozens of them 2' or larger. I'm thinking that particular area might be a good place to try and find a baby in the shallows.

 

[jakessvx1]

The DNR also stated that it's illegal to transporting the live flathead catfish in Maryland...that means you have to kill them right on the spot before transporting them out.

Well that answers that question. In VA from what I understand they actually stocked them in the river. Same with the blue cats. BTW someone caught a 230 LB blue (I think) out of the james a couple years ago. Those introduced species are why you can't find white catfish much anymore from what I have read. They only live in good numbers in a coupe small tributaries now.

 

[MN_Rebel]

Well that answers that question. In VA from what I understand they actually stocked them in the river. Same with the blue cats. BTW someone caught a 230 LB blue (I think) out of the james a couple years ago. Those introduced species are why you can't find white catfish much anymore from what I have read. They only live in good numbers in a coupe small tributaries now.

Yup the white catfish are getting uncommon these recent years. Used to be dominant species in few river systems till they are replaced by the introduced catfish (channel, blue and flathead).