Big River Cats

Trophy-class flatheads and blue catfish are generally found in large river systems like the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Flatheads in the 40-pound range and blues up to 50 or 60 pounds will barely turn the head of old-timers familiar with the big rivers. Huge blues lie off steep drop-offs near the deepest water while flatheads are going to be holed up in rocky crevices, under logs and in river-bottom holes with rock or wood cover. The myth that all cats like stinkbaits and doughballs probably has done more to protect these lunker fish than anything else. Channel catfish and bullheads will readily take these baits but flatheads and blues require live bait like a bluegill, shad or skipjack.