LOL tull

I have to admit, I do enjoy fishing for the ugly brutes... and actually, some I don't think are really even that ugly.... though ya gotta admit, a flathead just isn't a pretty picture!

We have spent many overnights on the river just kicked back and relaxed and happy to catch a few. Certainly worth the research TastyTrout, don't expect trophies on a regular basis but even the smaller ones are a blast to catch. Have fun and good luck!

...One of Fisherlady2's kitty-cats! 

that's a nice fish....did she weigh it?

It was 41" long, took a 7 or 8" bluegill in 21ft of water at very top edge of a deeper yet hole, September, and weighed at 32 lbs.

If you are targeting only BIG cats, I would suggest big, live bait. Bluegill, chubs, and/or whatever 5-12 inch fish swim in the water you are fishing.

Cut bait will sometimes catch a big one, but live is probably better, imo.

ORIGINAL: Fisherlady2

I don't fish the Mon, but some things are universal for cats... they tend to hang out in the deeper holes during the heat of the day and come up onto flats/shallows after sun eases off in evening. Find a nice hole with shallows nearby and it would be a good start, add some cover in the form of dead trees/debri then it is even better. If they find decent cover they will stay in it all day even in shallow water and come out in the evening to hunt nearby flats. If you aren't out on a boat you can about expect that top outside of river bends scour holes and insides of them get sediment buildup causing shallows.
Larger cats and ones feeding more aggressively seem to be more likely to hit live bait (though there are always exceptions to the rule), next would be larger, chunky cut bait of something that smells or is oily, gobs of nightcrawlers is a staple bait for midsized channels and bullheads.
Since it is the middle of the night and I couldn't sleep I did some digging because I know we've had some decent threads on here last year about catfishing preferences/setups...
hopefully the links work.
http://forums.fishusa.com/m_319383/mpage_1/key_flathead/tm.htm#320632

here's another
http://forums.fishusa.com/m_317641/mpage_1/key_catfish/tm.htm#323456

on the one above, I have a link to yet another thread about chicken liver on one of my posts...

Hope these help

You can't say it any better. This is right on

TT The way it has been raining all day you might want to build a ARK cause it is getting very high in the rivers NOW LOLOLOL But all aside all the tactics mentioned will work.And if it gets to the where all that doesn't work get some Jack Link's jerky!!!!!!! Dave

Nice cat Catwoman!
Nice fish Fisherlady!

I like to use cut bait and shrimp, but them again I only catch channel cats here in Erie, nice fish!

ORIGINAL: Fisherlady2

It was 41" long, took a 7 or 8" bluegill in 21ft of water at very top edge of a deeper yet hole, September, and weighed at 32 lbs.

LMAO!!! thats no 32# or 41" looks like a cookie cutter 10-13 lbs. if your not use to seeing flats a 15lber looks like a 30lber. when you catch a 30 lb+ flat you will know it, trust me. if i know how to post pics here i would show you a #32.

as far as you question, like most thing's in life you have to put time in and you will get it,took me 2 years to break 30lb's and i fish 100% for flats 3-5 days a week after water hits 60*.if your after flats the biggest thing is FRESH bait dead or cut. there's no such thing as too big of bait either. i had a run last year on a live 17" smallie that ran me i to a snagg and broke off. if you really want get some tricks send me a pm a buddy started up a burgh catfish fourm i'll send you the link. tight lines and good luck justin