Is this a flathead a channel or a hybrid opinions please.

[elkmagnet]

My wife caught this catfish on cj and I think it looks like a flathead or hybrid but my common sense says its a dark channel. The reason i think it looks like a small flathead is the color the round not forked tail and the big head for its body size. It was caught up under a big log in less than 15 feet of water.

What do you all think?
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[hooknhunter]

Looks like a channel to me.
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[dma_ayotte]

Forked tail channel catfish. Round tail flathead or bull head.

Nice size channel cat....
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[hulapopper]

channel cat. did you catch it on bass gear ?
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[StacyR]

It's a male channel in spawning colors. It's their breeding season right now. The males turn very dark brown and grow bumps on their head. The fact your wife caught it under a log is another indication. Channels nest in crevices with the male guarding the eggs and fry until they are old enough to take care of themselves. Makes them tough to catch because they won't come out of their hole for food.
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[idahoron]

Stacy, I am with you. This is a male is spawn colors. EM I am going to post pictures of a flathead. Ron










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[StacyR]

Nice fish there, Ron.

Here's a comparison shot of the male and female during breeding season:

[url "https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSrZMgLRLNVpDFgdXO5ghV01yj3M7ISTIZWV5nCScQsGR0ELPyS"]Male Female Channel[/url]
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[pa]

Male Channel . Nice fish
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[elkmagnet]

Ive never seen another channel with that little of a fork in its tail but its unanimous it must be a channel he must have beat his tail up during the spawn.
thanks for the input.
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