Most important is staying out of fast water and heavy current. When targeting flatheads, locating slow water is imperative. Often the most productive areas will be along the bank, outside the current and near the tules. Flatheads move into these areas to feed on the panfish that hang out inside the tules.

Finding slower water is part of your job, and make sure you do so an hour or two before you fish.

Fish this river with respect. The buddy system is imperative. If at all possible, don't venture onto the river alone. There are few fishing the river, especially at night.

It's extremely dark, and visibility is low. There are very shallow sandbars and other obstacles everywhere. When fighting massive flatheads, it's common for your boat to rapidly shift -- and accidents happen.

Also, once the sun goes down, the unwritten rule on the river is to stay put. Or if you have to move, idle for short distances. It's not safe to run the river at night. Wait until dawn before you run back to the launch ramp.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION
California anglers can fish the Colorado River with a valid California fishing license. However, they also need a Colorado River Special Use Permit, which sells for $3 and is available wherever fishing licenses are sold.

Flatheads can be found in the Colorado River and its sloughs and canals. However, the best fishing is concentrated between Parker Dam and downriver past the city of Blythe.

The river is open to fishing all year, but summer months provide the most consistent action.

Anglers may keep 10 catfish per day. Only in the Colorado River District can anglers legally use live or dead golden shiners, fathead minnows, red shiner, mosquitofish, longjaw mudsuckers, bluegills, tilapia, threadfin shad, goldfish, sunfish, mollies or dead carp for bait.

For more fishing, call guide Ronson Smothers at (323) 428-6731, B&B Tackle in Blythe at (760) 921-2248) or the Blythe Chamber of Commerce at (760) 922-8166.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Shaffer is the author of The Definitive Guide to Fishing Southern California. Learn more about his books at FishingCalifornia.net