Don't really agree, but that is what discussions are for. Lake Eufala in OK sees hundreds of noodlers each year that pull thousands of high end weight class fish. This is still one of our best catfish fisheries in the state! The funny thing is, The fish never seem to quit comeing. Also, only about half of the fish in a given body of water even spawn each year due to lack of spawning structure. Even then when the temps get to hot in shallow water where most of the guys noodle. The fish follow the thermoclines into deeper water where they spawn untouched. There are plent of fish that still spawn each year.

The only disagreement I have with that statement is that a new pair of flatheads will take over the hole within 24 hours at most. Also when we pull the fish most of them have not laid out yet. Most noodlers quit each year by the time the fish start laying. I will Guarantee one thing. Find a clear lake and gear up in scuba. You will find there are 100 cats to every bass you will see.

I would love to see 100 flatheads for every bass! They would be starving to death after just one year. Then you would see NO bass.

Didn't say 100 flatheads, said 100 cats. Fact is there would likely be no carp and buffalo. Thats what is in most of the big flats I check. The close third would be your blues and channels. Supprising how many we find in camo cat bellies.

I am suprised you do not find much more drum the in the bellies than carp or buffalo. That is my go to bait for big flatties.

I believe you that tons of channels and blues get eaten by flatties. We have caught a few in the last couple years while reeling in a small channel.

We do find a few drum on occasion, as well as bass and other species. I think that the reason we don't find more drum is that while the flats are shallow they take more of the carp and buffalo that are sucking moss off the rock there under. If we noodled deeper we'd probably see more drum. I think bass are just to fast for them most of the time. The smaller cats probably get it when they check the hole to see if they can call it a nursery.

I was told the flatheads eat the drum because they are egg eaters. But your theory about buffs and carp looking for moss and vegitation around the spawning hole makes sense.

I can say this , a local lake i fish i used to think there were none to very little yellers in . After catchen a few with my hands at the same places every week and big ones at that . I'm a beliver that there are more than what people know about . And i have fished this lake every way possible trotlines with perch , shad , cut bait , and never had a yeller on a line .

This is a verry interesting conversion guy! I know flat heads are an invasive species. But the population has exploded with next to no predators. From what in hearing from my fishin Buddha back home is that its not uncommon to catch a 50+ lb fish. I would asume this kind of size and just the sheer number of fish caught is due to a prethera of food, switched fish there. I got.reports 2 weeks ago from a friend who was bass fishing. He hooked a 12lb LMB. During the battle, a 62lb flat head ate the bass. Once he landed the fish. He reallized what had happened. And apperantly, this is becomming common place. Trophy sized LMB populations are being depleted with out carcasses to explain this. Along with trophy class crappe. Could this be the work of the invasive flatheads adapting to actively feeding on these fish?

Flatheads are a native species to Texas.

I understand that. I was refrencing Florida due to the numbers of trophy sized fish caught here vs there and my suspition of the reason why that is. I realy want to catch a flat head. It's the only species of catch fish that are native to the us that I haven't caught yet.but I also lack the knowledge on them to know how to pattern them. And just trying to jump in to this conversation to educate my self on them. I know I have the right gear to catch one that can stand up to a trophy class flat head.

As far as I know, The gentleman is correct. The Flathead has always been a native species to the state of TX. The Feeding habits have not changed in TX waters as far as that goes. However, Big fish do eat big meals.

Mike
The most important thing I think to know about trying to catch big flats on rod and line is that you will need to use live bait. Flatheads are very seldom caught on dead bait or stink bait. My suggestion would be to get on the tailrace of a resavoir and fish with large perch in the breakwater, not the extreme current. I have caught alot of large class fish with this method. Works best for me just before and during the spawn. So now is the time to get em.

Your question was asked about noodeling and views on it . I don't noodle if i was asked fish or sit in the boat I'll sit in the boat . I don't like snakes . But if someone want's to do it it's leagal so have a blast . I'm sure to the right red neck it's a wild rush . lol . I don't really think noodlers are going to hurt the population enough on cat's to make a difference. R&R , jugliners , trot liners , these are also fish producing ways to land a fish fry . We have to keep in mind that there are people we pay with our tax and license money to keep a eye on fish populations . And cats are still 25 a day limit dosen't sound to me that we are fishing them out . The new law about 1 gar per day seems stupid to me but there must be someone out there paying the same taxs we are and that guy has a right to catch a big fish to i guess . If you fellers are out there noodlin be safe and land a monster

Your question was asked about noodeling and views on it . I don't noodle if i was asked fish or sit in the boat I'll sit in the boat . I don't like snakes . But if someone want's to do it it's leagal so have a blast . I'm sure to the right red neck it's a wild rush . lol . I don't really think noodlers are going to hurt the population enough on cat's to make a difference. R&R , jugliners , trot liners , these are also fish producing ways to land a fish fry . We have to keep in mind that there are people we pay with our tax and license money to keep a eye on fish populations . And cats are still 25 a day limit dosen't sound to me that we are fishing them out . The new law about 1 gar per day seems stupid to me but there must be someone out there paying the same taxs we are and that guy has a right to catch a big fish to i guess . If you fellers are out there noodlin be safe and land a monster