Caught a Flathead Catfish on Lake Houston using a live perch

Caught By

Swamp Mafia
3/22/2013 6:15:20 AM

Strong wind out of the SSE. Temp in the mid 60's. setting on sheltered shorelines. Lots of channels tonight. 11/0 circles 2' under jugs in 4'-6' fow near structure.

Catch Details

	Species	Flathead Catfish
	Waterway	Lake Houston
	Location	The location of this catch is only visible to Fishidy members. Create a free account!
	Lure/Bait	live perch
	Visible to	Everyone

Comments
813

1. Apr 27, 2016 getsome42085 0
  That's some river monsters Jeremy wade type of fish lol
2. Dec 09, 2015 catfishkid 0
  jealous is an understatement
3. May 19, 2015 TCscorpio 0
  You really slaughter the fish... I need a guide like you lol.
4. Mar 08, 2015 Swamp Mafia 0
  @Codygreen721 thanks.
5. Mar 08, 2015 Codygreen721 0
  you got mad skills man ...respect
6. Sep, 27, 2014 Swamp Mafia 0
  @Flathead_Grant yes. It's still out there as far as I know.
7. Sep, 27, 2014 Flathead_Grant 0
  did you release it? @SwampMafia
8. Jul 21, 2014 Swamp Mafia 0
  @hollyh451 no, but I could teach the class.
9. Jul 21, 2014 hollyh451 0
  You went to college for this, didn't you? :P
10. Jul 20, 2014 Swamp Mafia 0
  @ddao22 I would look around structure, and places they can hide. Under cut banks, log jams/log piles, rock piles, and thick brush. Live sunfish and bullheads work ...more best.
11. Jul 20, 2014 Swamp Mafia 0
  @Dawson_miller first thing with ponds, you can't catch what's not there. If they are in there live bait like bullheads or sunfish at night work best.
12. Jul 20, 2014 ddao22 0
  @SwampMafia where would you look for them on a heavy current on bends? Or with rocks on the bends? And what bait do you recommend live sunfish for the yellows? Thanks ...more mad
13. Jul 20, 2014 Dawson_miller 0
  hey i have been trying to catch a flathead in a pretty small pond and i was wondering if you could give me advice because u definitly know what you're doing.
14. Jul 19, 2014 Swamp Mafia 0
  @ddao22 i don't know the water, but I'm sure after some good scouting and some trial and error I could catch a fish out of there.
15. Jul 19, 2014 ddao22 0
  I know there's some big ones in ther waiting to be caught, not like this one but still in the 50s! You should hit me up if you decide to go you obviously know ...more what you're doing haha
16. Jul 19, 2014 Swamp Mafia 0
  @ddao22 thanks, but I have not fished there. I'm going to try it one of these days.
17. Jul 19, 2014 ddao22 0
  This thing is insane. Have you fished buffalo bayou for cats ever?
18. Jun 28, 2014 Destroy_my_bass 0
  Step it up bro
19. May 24, 2014 Swamp Mafia 0
  @catfishboy216 I don't give out my number, but you can send me a private message.
20. May 24, 2014 catfishboy216 0
  What is your number
21. May 16, 2014 bruton9 0
  Monster yellow by the way daaaaammmnnn!! Ha ha nice
22. May 16, 2014 Swamp Mafia 0
  @bruton9 I have not been on the trinity in a while. It's about time for me to take a trip down there.
23. May 15, 2014 bruton9 0
  Swampmafia been a while.... How u been making out on that big ol trinity??
24. Apr 03, 2014 brianuhr 0
  My dream fish
25. Apr 03, 2014 Swamp Mafia 0
  @catfisher4221 one of my biggest cats.
26. Apr 03, 2014 catfisher4221 0
  Monster all that can be said
27. Mar 27, 2014 ThomasOwen7 0
  Yea, Nickkaderli
28. Mar 22, 2014 Nickkaderli 0
  That's crazy big!
29. Mar 18, 2014 Swamp Mafia 0
  @tdeese thanks, and it is quite fun!
30. Mar 18, 2014 tdeese 0
  That's a nice flathead man I wish we could jug fish where I live I bet it's a blast
31. Mar 06, 2014 Swamp Mafia 0
  @Benge Thanks. I use 165 lb. braided nylon
32. Mar 06, 2014 Benge 0
  Nice shovel head very impressive . What lb test line do you use or do you use Dacron or braid
33. Mar 03, 2014 Swamp Mafia 0
  @FishinJordan I use live sunfish more than anything, next is dead sunfish, then cut carp/buffalo, and shad.
34. Mar 03, 2014 FishinJordan 0
  What is your opinion the best catfish bait? Shad or carp? (Since they're oily fish)
35. Feb 23, 2014 RyanEllis 0
  Oh still a monster fish!
36. Feb 23, 2014 Swamp Mafia 0
  @RyanEllis I did not weigh it, just photo and release. Thanks.
37. Feb 23, 2014 RyanEllis 0
  How much did he weigh!! Great fish!
38. Jan 05, 2014 USMC2013 0
  Thank you so much
39. Jan 05, 2014 Swamp Mafia 0
  @USMC2013 I catch most of my catfish in 1-6 foot of water 2-4 being my normal target depth. I like to be near or in structure and where creeks flow into river/lakes.
40. Jan 04, 2014 USMC2013 0
  One last question if you got the time, where are the best places to find them? Like what's their favorite homes?
41. Jan 04, 2014 USMC2013 0
  Heck yeah thank you very much!!
42. Jan 04, 2014 Swamp Mafia 0
  @USMC2013 yes, big flatheads love bullheads. I have a pic of how I hook bullheads in my blerts for reference. Some times big blue cats will also go after live bullheads.
43. Jan 04, 2014 USMC2013 0
  But big cats like that will hit live bullhead
44. Jan 04, 2014 Swamp Mafia 0
  @USMC2013 I've never fished for pike, so I don't know how to avoid them. I use cut baits for cats in the winter. Baits like carp, buffalo, perch, and shad. ...more Pike may not hit live bullhead.
45. Jan 04, 2014 USMC2013 0
  Any other suggestions?
46. Jan 02, 2014 USMC2013 0
  Not very often but when we do that we end up just pullin out pike, which isn't bad but I love cats more
47. Jan 02, 2014 Swamp Mafia 0
  @USMC2013 have you tried big live bait around dusk?
48. Jan 02, 2014 USMC2013 0
  The picture of the big channel cat I posted is the biggest I've caught around here. Nothin like that big flat head
49. Jan 02, 2014 Swamp Mafia 0
  @USMC2013 thanks. I bet you have plenty of good cats in your area!
50. Jan 02, 2014 USMC2013 0
  Nice cat man, to bad you can't find em like that here in northern indiana
51. Dec 10, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @tommy25 Thanks.
52. Dec 10, 2013 salt life 25 0
  Wow....Nice Catch...
53. Oct 20, 2013 Glen Barton 0
  I think it may have. Had some current pushing through also.
54. Oct 20, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @glen007 that rain may have messed up the normal feeding activity.
55. Oct 20, 2013 Glen Barton 0
  Didn't have any luck tonight. It was to muddy I think.
56. Oct 19, 2013 Glen Barton 0
  Thanks man
57. Oct 18, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @glen007 Good luck out there.
58. Oct 18, 2013 Glen Barton 0
  Around 9pm sorry. That's what I really want. Probably just take a picture and let it go. That's what I was looking at. Hopefully that moon will have them ...more moving.
59. Oct 18, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @glen007 9 am or 9 pm? The chance of getting a flathead is much better at night. Going to be a full moon! Tilapia work well.
60. Oct 18, 2013 Glen Barton 0
  Okay cool. Well it's gonna either be tomorrow or Saturday and I was gonna go out around 9ish. And just have you ever used live tilapia for your jug fishing?
61. Oct 18, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @glen007 boat houses on the north west side of the lake, or up the San jack by log piles or any structure. Steep banks and overhangs creek mouths are also good. ...more What time are you going out?
62. Oct 18, 2013 Glen Barton 0
  I'm gonna be jug fishing the north end of lake Houston tomorrow. You got any suggestion on areas where I could get some flatheads. I've never caught one ...more before and I've been trying but unsuccessful.
63. Oct 14, 2013 flounderpounder88 0
  Good lord that's a beast!!!
64. Oct 04, 2013 Aaron Plybon 0
  Well that's an awesome fish bro . I wish I could get them like that around here in Ohio
65. Oct 04, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @atp I did not weigh it, just pulled it out of the water long enough to to unhook and photo it, then release.
66. Oct 04, 2013 Aaron Plybon 0
  That's got to be the biggest flathead I've seen... What was the weight??
67. Oct 01, 2013 GizmosBait 0
  This is the kind of catch I'm talkin about right here! I've beer got a cat over 30" before I want to find me a good spot around San Antonio to land ...more a bigen like that. Need bigger hooks first.
68. Sep, 19, 2013 radiofisher 0
  If you need a partner to go to lake Houston just let me know. I'm always ready! Nice fishing!
69. Sep, 10, 2013 Xai Yang 0
  Wow! Great catch! Never seen flats that big up here in Mn before..
70. Sep, 03, 2013 Jessica11 0
  nice!
71. Aug, 15, 2013 devon67 0
  Nice
72. Jun 03, 2013 houston826 0
  Ur on hunting scouts I am to
73. Jun 01, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @RiverMonster 165 lb braided nylon. Not the Normal fishing line braid.
74. Jun 01, 2013 Truman Holbrook 0
  Braid or mono
75. May 31, 2013 meat 0
  Sweet
76. May 22, 2013 aaron yandle 0
  I think 8/0 and up
77. May 07, 2013 GTeam 0
  Brother I will DEF need some of your pics. I'm JUST gettin started. Bigger and better things to come
78. May 07, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @GTeam If you make more videos and need some big fish pics feel free to use any of my pics.
79. May 07, 2013 GTeam 0
  @SwampMafia Good deal brother. Mission accomplished.
80. May 07, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @GTeam I just watched it, it was great, professional and it made me want to download fishing scout again! @charlesauler this one was in my top 10 biggest, I don't ...more weight fish very often.
81. May 07, 2013 charlesauler 0
  what's ur biggest cat
82. May 07, 2013 GTeam 0
  Hey brother, have you had a chance to see the new Fishing Scout video? Search it on You Tube. I featured you in the video. Check it out
83. May 05, 2013 Maaon 0
  Thanks @SwampMafia
84. May 05, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @pikeboy Best way to get big cats is use a big live bait.
85. May 05, 2013 Maaon 0
  I wish I could catch fish that big @SwampMafia !
86. Apr 24, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @Tomkat07 I fish the north end and the river and creeks. I fish structure in the shallows most of the time.
87. Apr 24, 2013 Brent 0
  way better. However I don't fish the perch then go jug. I just cast and jug lol.
88. Apr 24, 2013 Brent 0
  Bert, what part of the lake you jugging brother. I do it south of the railroad. Putting in at Indian shores. Not caught any that big. But I have not used perch ,just ...more shad. I know perch and cut bait is
89. Apr 04, 2013 blake phillips 0
  Oh hahaha I here people call mud cats yellow cats @dcockrum16
90. Apr 04, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @dcockrum16 I started with a 808 then went to the big spool and then to the AMS retriever. I still have all of them.
91. Apr 04, 2013 dcockrum16 0
  I have a zebco 808 on my bows
92. Apr 04, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @dcockrum16 Drum reel? Spinner? Retriever?
93. Apr 04, 2013 dcockrum16 0
  I shoot a bear odssey 2 and a pse spyder
94. Apr 04, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @dcockrum16 North side of Houston. I have shot on Livingston and under it and fished most of the water from there to the bay.
95. Apr 04, 2013 dcockrum16 0
  So du u live any where around lake livingston or the trinity river
96. Apr 04, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @dcockrum16 I shoot an AMS Fire Eagle with retriever and 400# fast flight I could not give an exact number of fish last year but it was several thousand.
97. Apr 04, 2013 dcockrum16 0
  So much fun do u use compound if shot of 200 gar last year and about 90 carp
98. Apr 04, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  I have been bowfishing for over 20 yrs. look back at some of my blerts for some bowfishing pics. @dcockrum16
99. Apr 04, 2013 dcockrum16 0
  Sorry man idk im only 14 ever try bowfishing lot of fun
100. Apr 04, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @dcockrum16 I hear them called that around here, but I try to call them by the real names to avoid mixups like this. Both are correct.
101. Apr 04, 2013 dcockrum16 0
  Oh sorry thats wat we call em round here
102. Apr 04, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @thebasscatcher @dcockrum16 Yellow cat is one of many common names for the flathead catfish.
103. Apr 04, 2013 dcockrum16 0
  Its a yellow cat
104. Apr 04, 2013 blake phillips 0
  Flatty @dcockrum16
105. Mar 30, 2013 dcockrum16 0
  Thats a yellow cat
106. Mar 25, 2013 MrPopular 0
  Congrats! You made it on the popular page on Mar 25, 2013!
107. Mar 24, 2013 MrPopular 0
  Congrats! You made it on the popular page on Mar 24, 2013!
108. Mar 24, 2013 BASS_TARD 0
  Can anybody say dam
109. Mar 24, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @NorthTexasSportsmen Thanks.
110. Mar 24, 2013 NorthTexasSportsmen 0
  Wholly cow! We used to live around the corner and fish that lake all the time. Nice work! Thanks for sharing!
111. Mar 23, 2013 MrPopular 0
  Congrats! You made it on the popular page on Mar 23, 2013!
112. Mar 23, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @cowboy713 Thanks! @RexDelRey those two were the only ones over 20lbs, but ended up landing 28. It could make for some great video.
113. Mar 23, 2013 Rex Rex 0
  Bro - we gotta catch this type of action on video.
114. Mar 23, 2013 Chris Skinner 0
  The mafia strikes again! Great cat brother!
115. Mar 22, 2013 dallin dallin 0
  Ok thanks man
116. Mar 22, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @elkaholic I hook them above the spine and behind the dorsal fin. I also have a pic of how I do it, just look back at my blerts.
117. Mar 22, 2013 dallin dallin 0
  How do you hook the perch? @SwampMafia
118. Mar 22, 2013 jonholbrook 0
  I've noticed that as well
119. Mar 22, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @MulletHead I have some 7/0 eagle claws that are bigger than my 11/0 mustads. It does not seem the industry has standardized circle hook sizes.
120. Mar 22, 2013 dstreger 0
  Nice
121. Mar 22, 2013 Gabe Mitchell 0
  11/0 mustads? Seems like the sizing is different for each hook maker.
122. Mar 22, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @baitslinger This one came from the North East side of the lake, where the San jack hits the lake.
123. Mar 22, 2013 baitslinger 0
  Man you have some awesome catches. Everytime I put my jugs out on Houston people are messing with them. What part of the lake are you in?
124. Mar 22, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @jonholbrook @Alex4428 Thanks guys. @MrOutdoorsman yes, an old Jon boat. @BrazyT I release almost all cats over 10lbs. Thanks.
125. Mar 22, 2013 BrazyT 0
  Way to go @SwampMafia that's a nice one! And it takes a great outdoorsman to release a monster like that much props
126. Mar 22, 2013 MrOutdoorsman 0
  Are u guys on boats when u catch those
127. Mar 22, 2013 Alex4428 0
  Dang that's how a catfish should be
128. Mar 22, 2013 jonholbrook 0
  Now that's a catfish
129. Mar 22, 2013 Swamp Mafia 0
  @matt Size= big. It was released.
130. Mar 22, 2013 Matt Dobson 0
  Haha. What's the size on that guy? Great info.
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