Daniel Ambrose answers:

I really don’t think there is a best time in day light hours to catch flatheads.I have seen my sisters husband and others catch many big ones on rod & reel in the afternoon,morning,and evening.After it gets dark is the best time to fish for them,they do come out of holes and from under logs and feed at night.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

There are a number of commercially prepared catfish baits that work quite well. Usually, the stinkier the better, as catfish feed by smell. But, I have found that the best baits are those you make yourself.

For a good homemade bait, try chicken livers. I take about a pound of chicken livers, place them in a plastic container with a cover, and set them outside (not in direct sun) to “cure” for a day or two. You want the meat to spoil, but not dry out. Keep it moist. Once it smells reasonably “bad”, chop up some garlic cloves, mix them in with the livers, and refrigerate them at least 2-3 days before using them as bait. All this odoriferous concoction should be (usually) irresistible to catfish.

If you’re after really big fish, make sure that your rod, reel and fishing line are heavy enough to handle the strain. 20# test should be minimum if the fish are that big.

For a catfish rig, tie a size 1/0 3-way swivel to the end of your line. To one of the swivel loops, tie about a 6″ piece of leader (of lighter # test than your fishing line) and tie your sinker to the end of this. Using lighter line for this dropper leader will cause it to break first if your sinker hangs up, thereby saving the rest of the rig and losing only the sinker.

To the remaining swivel loop, tie about a 30″ leader (use a piece of your fishing line). To the end of this leader, tie a good sized treble hook (try a size #2 or #1). Bait your hook up with as many chicken livers as you can to make a ball somewhere about the size of a golf ball. You can even tie some to the shank of the hook with light monofilament line to make a chunkier ball of bait.

Cast this out from shore, into a likely looking pool of deeper water. You’ll be fishing on the bottom, where the catfish prowl for food. If you’re fishing a river, make sure your sinker is heavy enough to hold your bait in one place.

There are a number of variations on this catfish rig, but this basic setup will get you going.

There are catchable catfish out there!! Good luck!!

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Ask some of the other fishermen or tackle shops but use live bait for flatheads. A bluegill or fair sized shad should work just fine. Big hook, strong tackle. Bullheads work also.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Your wanting to explain this in reference to a flathead catfish?

The question is slightly confusing, but I think if you are discussing this from the point of an ecosystem and how it relates to a flathead catfish, you need to think of what effects the life of that catfish.

Its food, natural predetors, what competes for the same types of food, environmental issues that might improve or hinder its existance, what sorts of things it needs for its habitat, etc.

By evaluating those organisms it should give you some direction about how it would be effected for the catfish as well as for other species. If you clarify your question some I’ll be happy to think more on the question.

EDITIED:

By the way I love the cut and paste below that really didn’t answer much of anything.

It is a pretty common assumption that within any ecosystem there is a fixed amount of resources. So obviously introducing any number of a new species takes those resources away from the native species. Obviously, the greater the number of the invasive species will mean less resources for the native species.

It is also noted that you should take in consideration the reproduction rate of the catfish compared to the rivaled native species. By rival species I mean the native species that is most like the catfish in terms of resources consumed. This comparable species is the one that will be most effected by the introduction of a new species.

If the invasive species reproduces faster, consumes more resources on a daily basis or has less common preditors this will give you a good concept of its effect on the native species.

If the native species finds the competition too harsh, resources too few or any other difficulties it might be likely for the native species to migrate out of its current ecosystem due to the hardship put upon it by the invasive species. (Catfish)

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Only use large live fish like charlie said. He listed most of the good ones. I know guys who use goldfish too. Dont waste your time with livers or shad guts or worms or dough bait. Flatheads are predators, especially big ones. Live fish is your best bet.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Here are some:# Aegaeon (Αιγαίων), god of violent sea storms and ally of the Titans
# Acheilos (Αχειλος), shark-shaped sea spirit
# Amphitrite (Αμφιτρίτη), sea goddess and consort of Poseidon
# Benthesikyme (Βενθεσικύμη), daughter of Poseidon, who resided in Ethiopia
# Brizo (Βριζώ), goddess of sailors
# Ceto (Κῆτώ), goddess of the dangers of the ocean and of sea monsters
# Charybdis (Χάρυβδις), a sea monster and spirit of whirlpools and the tide
# Cymopoleia (Κυμοπόλεια), a daughter of Poseidon and goddess of giant storm waves
# Delphin (Δέλφιν), the leader of the dolphins, Poseidon placed him in the sky as the constellation Delphin
# Doris (Δωρίς), goddess of the sea’s bounty
# Eidothea (Ειδοθέα), prophetic sea nymph and daughter of Proteus
# Eurybia (Εὐρυβία), goddess of the mastery of the seas
# Glaucus (Γλαῦκος), the fisherman’s sea god
# Gorgons (Γοργόνες), three monstrous sea spirits….

Chessie
A story is told about the Chesapeake Bay area between Virginia and Maryland being home to a sea monster, often referred to as Chessie. Some sightings were reported of a serpent-like creature with flippers and scales. No pictures have been taken so far, whereas there are some pictures supposedly of Nessie, the sea monster said to inhabit Scotland’s Loch Ness lake.

Dragon Kings
Dragon Kings were believed by the Chinese to consist of four separate dragons, each of which ruled over one of the four seas in the north, east, south and west. These Dragon Kings could shape-shift to human form, and lived in crystal palaces guarded by shrimps and crabs.

Fosse grim
According to Scandinavian mythology, Fosse grim was a water spirit that played enchanted songs on the violin, luring women and children to drown in lakes and streams. However, in some stories he is depicted as a harmless creature, simply entertaining men, women and children with his songs. According to myth Fosse grim even agreed to live with a human that fell in love with him, but he supposedly left after some time because he could not live away from a water source too long.

Read more: http://www.lenntech.com/water-mythology.htm#ixzz1CzsQsECu

http://www.dl.ket.org/cgi-pub/foxweb.exe/Gods@/db/pub/pub?by=romanname

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Enter the terms in “search” and Merriam-Webster will tell you the difference.

Http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lake

Daniel Ambrose answers:

I am as deep as a puddle.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

The action of a river/stream wherein sediments are deposited is called siltation.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

It is effectively a river, in one way of looking at things, yes. It just has ill-defined boundaries (no real physical banks like a river on land has).

Small density differences on the large scale are the primary driving force of the motion.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Where’s the Love …..NO Hate. I have been in the HOBBY way too many years and have never named a fish anything or never called them by anything but their scientific or common name. This is sort of a hobby/pets combo.Like most other pets you have to provide them with care and good living conditions but lets face it, when was the last time you took your pet fish for a walk in the park or let one snuggle up to you or even give it a pat on the head.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

The combos would most likely do you the most good since you just started. Like what others have said before ugly sticks can take a lot of beating and still work great the next day. If your looking for something more expensive and a little more reliable iwould go with shimano. Go with something cheap like the sedona or the senora for the reels. For line always use braided. You’ll get tons more line on the reel but also better casting distance. Hope this helps.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

I suppose sitting back in the evening light when all the animals, large and small, have been fed and bedded down on good thick straw.Just the sound of chewing,,,no hassle and I share that feeling of contentment.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

U

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Yea I would go with that Shakespeare Ugly Stik. It’s priced right and available in every Wal-Mart plus is a very strong durable rod. I just bought a Abu Garcia spin cast reel for crappie and trout fishing. It’s model #276Ui under spin and was $35. I am very happy with this reel and would recommend to people who don’t like bait cast and spinning reels. It came pre-spooled with 8lb test and if I got lazy one day and didnt want to throw my bait caster I would feel confident catching bass with this reel.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Get her some pampering at a spa or salon. I would go with a manicure facial package. That way someone is taking care of her for a change!

Daniel Ambrose answers:

7 knot wind is not that bad.

4 to 5 feet swells every 12 seconds is choppy enough to give some people seasickness. But it will also help improve fish bites a little. Detecting small or bottom bites will be slightly more difficult though. You’ll also need to use heavier sinkers and heavier lures. Other than these, there’s little to worry about. 4-5 feet swells/12 seconds will not stop charter boat captains.

Your main concern is the rain. Many captains will not go out in the rain. You better call the docks before you go.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

What island will you be on? Slips and mooring space are virtually non-existent in HI. Be sure you have secured a place to keep your boat before you go out and buy something. Most of the marinas in HI are state owned and are beyond dilapidated. There are a few private marinas that I think are almar properties. My experience with almar is not good and I would avoid them if at all possible. They have rules on top of rules to enforce the rules that they use to control you. That said, if you can find the space you need, then find the boat that suits your needs. Remember fuel is really spendy in the 808 state so a small diesel would be wise. Unless you are going far offshore and want to get there in a hurry and your bucket of money is bottomless.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Sport fishing and travel are both hurting during this economic crisis.. I note there was no funds for this in the recent economic stimulus bill. Sounds like you got a pretty good deal, and caught some fish…..i recommend that you use the booking agent you trust, and have a good trip. The Big boats will have to adjust if they want to survive…..

Daniel Ambrose answers:

Iboats.com is a good place.

Daniel Ambrose answers:

If you know how to fillet a fish it’s always better to do it yourself. I saw someone catch a 30# Red Drum and she had the fish cleaner fillet it for her. She went home with much less fish than she should have. Fish cleaners charge by the pound and they weigh it before they clean it. Some cleaners are better than others, but I trust my own skill much better.
Really it all depends on the cleaner. I would guess that for a 30 pound fish you would probably take home 15-18 pounds at the most with a good cleaner. You’ll loose a lot just from the guts, bones, and head.
Sometimes, for some people, it’s just less hassle to let them do the dirty work.
Good luck! Hope this helps!