06-17-2004, 06:57 PM
[cool][blue][size 1]I wouldn't bet that flathead didn't try to eat that ball. They are not the stereotypical catfish...bottomfeeders. They eat live food and will chase down and eat almost anything that does not eat them first. The big cat specialists often bait them with carp or other fish up to four or five pounds.[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]I have seen big flatheads take other fish right on the surface. Early in the morning, on one of my favorite southern Arizona lakes, I have just about been scared out of my float tube when a huge flathead crashed the surface close by to kill a trout or bass that wasn't paying attention.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]In most parts of the country, knowledgeable catfish folks would never take a flathead that size and then release it with a ball in it's mouth. They are too good on the table. Nobody does C&R on flatheads. My opinion is that they are some of the best eating fish period.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]A most interesting set of pics. I imagine that if that dude came up beside you and you didn't know what it was, it could probably have you thinking MONSTER.[/size][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][size 1]I have seen big flatheads take other fish right on the surface. Early in the morning, on one of my favorite southern Arizona lakes, I have just about been scared out of my float tube when a huge flathead crashed the surface close by to kill a trout or bass that wasn't paying attention.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]In most parts of the country, knowledgeable catfish folks would never take a flathead that size and then release it with a ball in it's mouth. They are too good on the table. Nobody does C&R on flatheads. My opinion is that they are some of the best eating fish period.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]A most interesting set of pics. I imagine that if that dude came up beside you and you didn't know what it was, it could probably have you thinking MONSTER.[/size][/#0000ff]
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