flatheads ,is there any noodlers out there

[bob]

I noodled a 30 & a 50lbs flathead last week , going again this weekend, its just starting in the river where I live , last year in for trips we gathered over 600lbs of fish ,  Im pumped

[Noah]

I've tried to do it here in FL, only came close to catching one once... found a 15#'er facing me in a hollowed out log.  When I went to get him to bite me he just wouldn't do it... so I finally slid my hand towards his gills and he suddenly, quick as lightning, bit my fingers and spit them out before I could get a grip... and zipped out of his hole  

I'd appreciate some technique tips if you don't mind

[bob]

we noodle several places in oklahoma , we wear nylon gloves with rubber coating on them to try to keep from getting all chewed up. those chew marks get infected real easy, I guess from the dirty water and the fishs mouth . a lot of the fish we get are real calm & will let you touch or rub them without moving & those are easy but on the other side some will hit you so fast they rip your glove off before you can shut your hand over & over. the most important thing I guess I could tell you is always go with someone , someone you know will save your life if need be , & me personally Ill only go about 5 to 6 foot deep , a 40 pound fish will drown you if you cant touch , my buddy will get one deep and wrap it up and depend on me to push him to the shallow so he can touch, be careful noodling stuff close to the bank with air pockets in it , thats where you will find snakes, turtles, beavers ect. go to wal -mart & buy you a bike flag  , you know the fiberglass rods with the flag on it so you can see the kids ,they come in two sizes , the shortest one is the best , then cut the flag off , you can use this to poke in the holes , move it around real slow & feel with it ,after you feel some fish with it youll love it , you can move the fish around with this to be able to try  & get hold , good luck I hope I helped a little

[Noah]

Thanks, most of the lakes here are full of gators and snappers, so I'm real careful where I stick my hand LOL   I've not seen cats anywhere but in log ends thus far... I'm not sure if they "hole up" like they do out yall's way.   Put some pics of those hogs up when you get the chance!

[bob]

noah , I seen the pics of you spear fishing ,Ive always wanted to do that or incorparate that in to noodling , if you have tanks you can legally use a hook or spear ,Ive never met anyone that could teach me , also thought about taking some classes , we had a guy die last year in oolagah lake noodling with tanks ,they said he was very expireanced , maybee he met a moss back

[Noah]

So if you don't use tanks, you're not allowed to spear/gaff??? If so, that's just plain opposite of the rules in the Caribbean... the way of thinking down there is with tanks, it's easier.... and therefore less "sporting"

I can't see a big cat holding you down, but I can see getting stuck in a rock trying to fish one out...

[kevin]

Its not legal in TX.  What part of OK are you noodlin?

[bob]

we in mayes county , fort gibson lake we had 4 this morning 48 , 42 , 32 , 28lb er

[bob]

noah theres a law called the hands on noodling act that states no hook or gaff , hands only  , but if you have tanks its a diffrent set of rules also there is only a couple of   lakes you can use tanks in

[sscatahoulas]

Bob, Im interested in seeing those pics. Post em when you get a chance. My Grandpa told me some of the old timers use to noodle in the Withlacoochee River, way over here in Florida back in the day...

[bob]

captian mike , there are some pics on a good day noodling post of me , craig & steve noodling , Im still working on the picture thing , we got 5 last night , two 40s a 30 & two 20s

[sscatahoulas]

I checked it out, real nice cats. Where do you guys noodle at? Id be scared to stick my hand in a Gators mouth, lol. Are those cats usually anywhere, or just in certain spots?

[hogdoggintexas]

i play in the river from time to time

[bob]

those are some nice cats you have there , the water is up here , just waiting on it to get within a foiot from normal and its on

[NThoghunter]

Sent you a pm bob

[NThoghunter]

Looking forward to Sunday, just let me know where to I can meet ya.