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Post by robertpaulson on May 15, 2024 16:45:56 GMT -5
Not sure what should be done when out Striper fishing and get a big flathead. I have done this many times and if I am not going to eat it or give to someone else I have been releasing. Now that I have learned how destructive Flatheads can be to young stripers, bass and shad I was wanting some advise. I know some places in VA do not want you to catch and release flatheads.
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Post by riverdawg711 on May 17, 2024 8:55:20 GMT -5
Yes you should release big flathead. Sml has potential to be great flathead lake.
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Post by robertpaulson on May 17, 2024 15:16:44 GMT -5
but if it becomes a great flathead lake would that not hurt the shad, stripers, bass crappie other catfish. Are they not an unwanted invasive fish. I know other lakes in VA you are not supossed to catch and release.
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Post by robertpaulson on May 17, 2024 15:18:00 GMT -5
They eat large numbers of other fish, unlike other catfish. We already have trouble with shad for the stripers
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Post by riverdawg711 on Jul 22, 2024 18:35:48 GMT -5
Yes flatheafs will eat other fish but stripers and bass are not there primary foods. Bluegill are there prefered food most of time. Followed by shad then crappie. I use all 3 for bsit but most come off bluegill or ovcasionslly a smallmouth bass can be great bait but ive tried largemouth and have never caught a flathead on one
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greg
New Member
Posts: 340
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Post by greg on Jul 23, 2024 18:55:52 GMT -5
Yes flatheafs will eat other fish but stripers and bass are not there primary foods. Bluegill are there prefered food most of time. Followed by shad then crappie. I use all 3 for bsit but most come off bluegill or ovcasionslly a smallmouth bass can be great bait but ive tried largemouth and have never caught a flathead on one So you are using largemouth bass and smallmouth bass as bait in SML ?
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Post by riverdawg711 on Jul 31, 2024 19:18:37 GMT -5
Yes as as they are lega size for the body of water your fishing the gamefish are legal to use. Dont use many largemouth. But if i catch a smallmouth or 2 i use them. Mostly use live bluegill green sunfish and white perch or big gizzards when i can find them
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Post by mattmapple on Aug 8, 2024 3:54:22 GMT -5
Flatheads are tricky. I usually let them go unless I'm eating them. Heard they can mess up other fish populations, though. Depends on the lake rules, I guess.
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