Most are caught up river around the 895 bridge and further up Ron

I haven't targetted flathead on the James.

But I might be able to help.

I feel like the lower river has some huge flathead but they
are in specific areas and require a bit different techniques
than blue cat fishermen use.

Flathead will not like the current in the main rivers and will
reside in backwater or slowwer current areas. Flathead desire
overhead cover such as submerged timber. Flathead like warmer
 water before becoming active. Flathead are more active at night.
Flathead prefer live fish as bait.

My recommendation is to find backwater areas like the hot water
dishcharge at the power plant.  I noticed that many sharp bends
in feeder creeks also have submerged timber and deep holes.Look
for oxbows or eddies out of the current that has submerged timber
or better yet sunken barges.
Fish during summer and at night with live baits such as bluegill or small carp.

Flathead are not numerous and patience is essential. There may only
 be one or two trophy size fish in each piece of cover and they may
only feed once every 3 nights.

Drop live baits to bottom and reel up a few inches so the current
won't beat them on the bottom. Hook baits through the lips so they
will live longer in current. This rig will also be taken by large blue cats
 and stripers so don't get discouraged.

Flathead are little understood and therefore there is almost no
pressure on them on the James. Catmen are targetting the big blue
 cats and this is understandable. I can imagine that there are many
huge flathead in the River that have never had a bait presented to them.