I’m goin to try and catch some flatheads so I was wondering if I should use the bluegill I got as Cutbait or hook them through the back and throw them out live. Also should I fish flatheads at day or night during may/June. I can catch channels on night crawlers any time, but I was wondering about when to go for flatheads

I believe flatties are predators, hunt at night, and like live bait. Not necessarily on the bottom either. Guys on the Mighty MO use bullheads on banklines and do okay that way.

For flatheads, live bait always works better for me. I like 6 to 9 inch creek chubs and large stone rollers best.

Keith

Growing up I was told using live bait was the only way to catch flatheads. That’s BS.

The key is *fresh* baitfish. Think bluegill, perch, shad, skipjack etc. Live will certainly work but using fresh cut will catch more flatheads for me.
Trim the tails on your live bait so they have to work harder, or use fresh cut. Both will work.

This time of year, bigger baits catch bigger fish. In the winter months, smaller baits induce strikes.

I catch plenty of flatheads on my bank lines using nothing but nightcrawlers. They're not giants though, 2-5 lbs

If I catch them the morning I use them do you think they will stay good if I keep them on ice(the baitfish I’m going to cut)

~ADC~ That works fine for me because I also like catching channels. I was going to have a pole with nightcrawlers or chicken liver for channels then (if the bluegill die) use them as cut bait for flats but if I catch a channel on the bait it’s one since I’m going for both

Try hooking the live bluegill just behind the vent above the anal fin. This makes them swim up away from the sinker/ off the bottom. They seem to stay lively better that way too.

Live bait will catch channels and blues too. The big ones. Not the fiddlers. I have caught lots of flat heads in the day time. When they bite, day or night, it doesn't last long. You will catch them for about an hour then its over. Green eared sunfish, bullheads, goldfish all stay alive good. You want a lively bait for flatheads. I would forget cut bait if you want flatheads unless you can change your bait every couple hours or so, and even then when the bite happens you will do better with live bait. I don't cut the fins off the bait. No need to. A flathead doesn't need you to cut fins off in order to be able to eat.

Cut bait with our catfish scent on the bait. but channels are easier to catch this way.

Yes, on ice will work too, just no stink at all on my cut baits. I typically convert live bait to cut as I’m casting lines.
If you’re on the fish they’ll let you know what they want right quick.

& Danny, the point of trimming tails has nothing to do with the catfish. If you trim that baits tail by taking two-thirds off you make his rudder smaller so to speak. Makes the bait work harder to stay stable in the water. So now that bait is more active.

Live for flatties, they are predators.
Cur bait for channels and blues.
Jim

Flathead can be caught on cut bait but in my opinion I would go with live bait to keep the channel cats from biting my hook. I would recommend live blue gill, shad, sucker, or carp. I have caught them both during the day light and at night. Look for structure where they hang out.