How Do You Rig A Sunfish Bluegill As Bait For A Flathead Catfish?
Flathead catfish will attack a sunfish bluegill that appears injured or is moving erratically, which is often the same thing. Unlike channel catfish and other cousins that prefer foul-smelling dead bait, the flathead cat is a more aggressive and territorial fish that will move on smaller baitfish either for food or to defend territory. Rig live sunfish bluegills to haul big flatheads from the lake. Tie a three-way swivel to the main line using a clinch knot (see Resources for clinch knot instructions). Tie a 1 oz. egg sinker to one of the two remaining swivel loops using a short piece of fishing line as a leader. The leader should be no more than 12 inches. Tie a baitholder hook, size 1 or 2, to a second leader about 18 inches long using a clinch knot and tie the other end of the leader to the remaining swivel loop. Baitholder hooks have two sharp nibs along the shank to help hold live bait. Prepare a small sunfish bluegill about 3 to 4 inches long for bait by clipping one of its pecto
