Freshwater

Flathead catfish

Bagre cabeza plana

Pylodictis olivaris

Guide by Captain Big Joe (Joe Arias)

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

Most catches are smaller than the top size of about 5.1 ft (155 cm).

Depth

8–30 ft.

Best time

Evening and night are best; also after rain raises the river.

Found in

3 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Mottled yellow-brown catfish with a broad flat head, a protruding lower jaw and a square tail.
Typical size: Most catches are smaller than the top size of about 5.1 ft (155 cm).
Maximum size: Up to about 5.1 ft (155 cm) long and 123 lb (55.8 kg). Source: FishBase
Diet: Young ones eat aquatic insect larvae; older fish eat crayfish, clams and fishes.
Behavior: Adults live in river pools with logs and debris, and also in lakes and reservoirs. Young ones stay in rocky and sandy runs and riffles.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Florida Gulf Coast, Northern Gulf (AL–TX) and Mexico Gulf Coast.
Habitat: Deep holes with logjams in big rivers.
Depth: 8–30 ft.
Fishing depth: Bottom of holes and channels, 5–40 ft.
Best season: All year; spring and early summer are strongest.
Best time: Evening and night are best; also after rain raises the river.
Best tides: In rivers, current seams and eddies; rising water triggers feeding.
Best weather / conditions: Warm, overcast and stable weather.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Deep holes with logjams in big rivers.
Rig up: Medium-heavy rod with a baitcasting or spinning reel. 25–50 lb mono, 18–24 in.
Pick your bait: LIVE bait — bream, shad or bullheads. Lures: —
Fish it: Fish a lively bait near logjams at night with heavy tackle.
Time it: Evening and night are best; also after rain raises the river. In rivers, current seams and eddies; rising water triggers feeding.

Fishing techniques: Fish a lively bait near logjams at night with heavy tackle.
BigJoe's tip: Unlike other catfish, flatheads want live fish, not stinky bait.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Cook fish to 145°F (63°C) — the flesh turns opaque and flakes easily. Fry, grill, bake or blacken.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Stiff, sharp spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins can cause painful wounds.
Regulations: Native only to Florida's far western Panhandle; introduced elsewhere (such as the Apalachicola system), where FWC encourages anglers to keep them. Check FWC. A Florida fishing license is required unless you are exempt; Florida rules are set by FWC (myfwc.com). Federal waters fall under NOAA Fisheries. Other states and countries set their own limits — check before you keep fish.
Conservation: Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits