Brow tine Report post Posted July 8, 2014 I've just started fishing the Colorado river cause I live west of buckeye I had a good night catchinchin some channels and one flat head or big sriper broke my 40 pound test before I could even grab my pole and one broke off reeling it in. My question is tight line river fishing with live bait should I be using circle hooks? I fish at Bartlett a lot but its open bell let them run then set the hook. I have seen a few post of people hitting the salt for cats so just qurious on your river flathead set ups. I'll be hitting it next weekend again I'm going up to 60# test and will take any advise on tackle set ups. Thank u and god bless. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRDATR Report post Posted July 8, 2014 What reel are you using and what are you setting your drag at? Are you using mono? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brow tine Report post Posted July 8, 2014 Shimono 7000 and I'm trying to figure the drag out I definentaly had it to tight mono trilene big game Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hunterjohnny Report post Posted July 8, 2014 In the river I used to loosen the drag to where it was just holding it's own in the current. Fish would run with it and I could spin the drag and set the hook. But I do some weird stuff fishing sometimes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRDATR Report post Posted July 8, 2014 That has 25 pounds of drag which should be more than enough to tire out a 40 pound fish but you could go to 50# Power Pro, I like PLINE Flouroclear. I would set the drag light and once you have a fish on you can gradually make it a bit tighter after the first run and if it wants to go just let it as it will eventually tire out after a few runs (hopefully) but i make the fish work for more line and keep just enough pressure on to let it know I'm there. Fishing a river with rocks and whatnot I'd opt for a different line than can handle the abrasiveness and retie often. I can't speak for using Circle Hooks as I have only used them for Tuna and Tarpon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim Report post Posted July 8, 2014 You might want to check the eyes on your poles you might be nicking your line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swivelhead Report post Posted July 14, 2014 You might want to check the eyes on your poles you might be nicking your line.+1 Not a bad idea to pick up a scale to set drag resistance. Rule of thumb is 30 to 40 percent of the line strength. A sticky drag can also be an issue. "Park" your drag when storing your reels, i.e back off the drag when not in use. Hope you get a chance to land the line breakers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brow tine Report post Posted July 15, 2014 Thank u all very much for the info I'm hitting it sat with some power pro and hopefully a accurate drag setting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRDATR Report post Posted July 15, 2014 If you can catch some 4" Bluegills they make great catfish bait. Just free line them with a hook behind the dorsal fin. Check the regs but I think you can use live Goldfish for bait in the Colorado. You can get them cheap at Petco or Walmart. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Havasuhunter Report post Posted July 28, 2014 For flatheads I like hand sized bluegill or 6-12" baby carp if I can get them. Tilapia are great too where legal. Keeping the bait good and lively is key for flatheads. I caught a little one about 7 lbs and a 20lber down by yuma a couple weeks back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
