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Sep
Average lifespan of the flathead catfish is 12 to 14 years but one recorded flathead catfish lived 24 years. Monster cats grow upward of 10 pounds a year.
This is a proven method of age calculation for channel catfish and it probably will apply to flatheads.
How to age a flathead catfish. As catfish age their fins grow in proportion to the rest of their bodies with the majority of growth occurring during periods when the fish feed most actively. These growth spurts are used to determine the age of a catfish. Items you will need.
The method is based on the fact that the vertebra grows each year by adding a layer of bone. The accumulated layers which appear as growth rings are counted to determine age. This is a proven method of age calculation for channel catfish and it probably will apply to flatheads.
Average lifespan of the flathead catfish is 12 to 14 years but one recorded flathead catfish lived 24 years. Adults are usually solitary each staking out a favorite spot under a tree or in a cove in deep water. At night they move into shallow areas to feed.
To age catfishes the otolith is first glued to a glass microscope slide to hold it in place while the scientist grinds away some of the otolith to view the annuli inside. Once the annuli are visible scientists polish the viewing surface with a fine grit sandpaper andor mineral oil to polish the surface making discernment of annuli easier. Flatheads put on 2-5 pounds a year between 3 and 8 years old.
Monster cats grow upward of 10 pounds a year. In some southern rivers and reservoirs cats have grown as much as 30 pounds in 10 years. Flathead catfish reach sexual maturity between the ages of.
So the Flathead Catfish was born in 1994. The maximum age from populations of Flathead Catfish averages about 20 years and the oldest individual aged was 32 years old Massie et al. Once Flathead Catfish reach about 30 inches or 75 cm they begin to develop massive girth.
To reach a 25 pound trophy mark Flathead Catfish have to survive to at least 7 or 8 years. A recent study taken from the Ohio River found the following catfish age averages. Blue - 177 yrs to reach 35 inches Flathead - 201 yrs to reach 35 inches Channel - 200 yrs to reach 28 inches.
Flathead fishing is not the easiest thing in the world. When you ask others how to catch a Flathead Catfish they either catch them all the time none at all or will pull one up by accident. In the meantime one must understand that these potential giants are nothing short of a blast to reel in.
Generally the summer months are favorable for flathead catfishing. Flathead catfish can be lethargic and difficult to catch in the winter months. The lower level light of dawn dust and overcastrainy days are ideal times to go flathead.
The best time to target flathead catfish is from the spring to the fall. Flathead LOVE warm water so usually around may august I have my best luck. When the water temp reaches 55 they seem to pick up and start biting.
This can be found by researching your local body of water. I show you how to fillet and process a big flathead catfish. Thank you for watching.
Consider subscribing if you enjoyed the video. If you are fishing for smaller flatheads then you can use 15-30lb line as the fish get bigger so should your line. Serious flathead catfishers will use braided line that is rated for 80lbs plus.
If you plan on going after trophy catfish then look at some braided lines. Knowledge of individual growth and mortality rates of an introduced fish population is required to determine the success and degree of establishment as well as to predict the fishs impact on native fauna. The age and growth of flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris have been studied extensively in the species native and introduced ranges and estimates have varied widely.
There is more than one way to process catfish this is the easiest way we have found. This is the way we fillet those big river flathead catfish. For bigger flatheads just about any of the Coosa River impoundments can produce a 50-plus fish on a given day.
And the Tennessee River has its share of bigger flatheads with the biggest usually topping out in the 60s. Know Where They Live. River systems with consistently flowing water produce the states best big flathead catfish fishing.
If this is the case its easy in theory. You just need to locate the catfish on whichever body of water you are fishing. Its still 100 doable to catch monster flathead catfish during the day.
Especially between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm. The locating the flathead catfish part can be a.