Sarley: Who knew flathead catfish could be caught in the Chain O’ Lakes?

There are two kinds of catfish in our area. The channel catfish swims in almost every river, stream, pond and lake. The flathead catfish is a much rarer animal, located mostly in rivers, or so I thought.

Catfish are misunderstood. Many folks think that catfish are rough fish or bottom feeders. They think they inhabit only the dirtiest of water and eat a filthy diet. They are wrong.

Flathead catfish are different from channel cats due to their size. The record is over 123 pounds. Fish of 20 pounds are common. Thank goodness, these beasts have no teeth.

I’ve heard the best time to fish for these behemoths is after dark. The avid flathead chaser gets out on the water at about the time that I am usually turning in for the night. They fish all night. Flathead fishing is not for the meek, to be sure.

I’ve fished on the Fox Chain O’ Lakes more times than I can remember. I’ve caught tons of fish in almost every species imaginable. If you’d told me that there were flatheads in the Fox Chain, I would tell you that you were wrong. I’ve caught plenty of channel cats but have never seen a flathead in the Chain.

My good friend Danny Tischler, one of the best outdoorsmen on the planet, hired captain Matt Madlener for a day of fishing on the Chain. They were joined by Matt Mihalek and Kyle Jean, who is married to Danny’s daughter, Kelly.

Tischler was hoping for a few walleyes. They fished for a while and caught some crappies and walleyes, with nothing to write home about,

Madlener asked his group if they’d be interested in trying for some flathead catfish. They were incredulous. None had ever caught flatheads on the Chain before. Tischler questioned Madlener and he was told that Matt had confidence in catching flatheads in broad daylight in fairly shallow water.

Armed with stout tackle but only 10-pound test line, the group threw bladebaits tipped with tiny minnows. Indeed, there were flathead catfish to be found on the Fox Chain. They were halfway across the lake on Mineola Bay fishing on a gravel bed.

The fish were light biters in relation to their actual size. They fought hard and they rolled and rolled like alligators do when they are in a fight. They had to be uncoiled at least a dozen times to be unhooked.

They boated five flatheads, and Tischler lost the biggest strike right at the side of the boat. It was over 40 pounds. Madlener told the group that he felt that all of their fish were over 30 years old.

Tischler said his group had a ball and he couldn’t wait to get out for flatheads again. He told me that his arms were totally tired and he busted his knuckles open, reeling in the monsters. I guess I really learned something new, as well.

Madlener left the group at the dock after their flathead expedition. He needed to get his shotgun and gear ready to get into his deer blind. Monster cats and big deer in the same day. Isn’t Northern Illinois wonderful?

• Daily Herald Outdoors columnist Steve Sarley can be reached at sarfishing@yahoo.com.