queensland Clontarf Flathead Session 23.07.2009

[stewie]

Hey guys,

Got the day off and headed to Clontarf for a wading flathead session. Started at midday and fished until 3.30pm. Conditions were perfect, with visibility in the water fantastic. First area I waded produced a lizard of 52cm. Also had fun there with a very large squid (which I thought was a flathead). It actually pulled drag (although I don't load the drag up for the flathead anyhow), but I couldn't hook it with the soft plastic. Note to self: pack a squid jig in the kit. Because of the high'ish tide, I managed to get water on the inside of my waders, which made the rest of the session a little uncomfortable.

Moved around a bit with the odd hit, but no good hook-ups. Headed to my favourite area, and got 2 flathead in 2 casts. Each around 40cm. Headed further toward the hornibook bridge and got onto a hot bite. Flicked the plastics towards the rocks and they were jumping all over them close to the rocks.

Ended up with a bag limit, but released a number more. Ended up landing over 10 fish, and a few more in dropped the plastic in close. I also have been noticing the flathead head toward my waders when they are fighting. I am obviously the only structure close. One went between my legs which proved challenging to get into the net.

Released a larger 60+ fish late. Already had all I needed, so it was rewarding to let it go for another day.

Last thing, and the most important to many members following the popularity of my last report ... I packed a camera. It proved challenging when I had water up to the chest of the waders, but managed a few shots.

All flathead were caught on 3" Gulp Shrimp in Molten.

Have a great weekend,

Stewie.

[stewie]

The bag:

[stewie]

Another try at the bag:

[straddiebrad]

well done stewie nice day on the water and great read must be hard to tow the board if the weather gets up .brad

[Bri The Pom]

Well done Stewie, Not that you needed the camera, we would of believed you anyway.

Bri

[dan25]

awesome stuff Stewie sounds like a great session

[plugga]

Great sehs, great PIC:p,

[bmxdirtjumpa]

im so jealous of ur clontarf sessions...might have to get myself some waders...next time i might borrow a friends surf ski and cover a lot more ground

[Bluevien]

Awesome session, Stewie. And great to see the pics even if they weren't needed. You are lovin those 3 inch shrimp. I've been having luck there with my 4inch lime tigers but not as much you. I might invest in a packet of those smaller buggers.

Thanks for the report as always.

[Angus]

You have them sussed thats for sure!

Angus

[hulk]

Hope to have some luck on the gulp shrimp I bought tonight.Amart has them on special for 20 bucks a container at the moment.Well done on the flatties.

Hulk

[natang]

Mate that is an awesome session! Hope to have many like that when I get back from the UK! Great pic too.

[Freshy]

Nice work stewie...

[Travis]

yet again another great lizzard session, got it sussed mate

[Schmuck]

Very consistent results mate, and well worth the effort wading for those flathead fillets. I'm intrigued with the floatboard setup you have though, do you attach it to your ankle like a surfboard?

[Travis]

Keen to see pics of your body board settup mate

[Brian D]

cool report mate

[adambris]

nice to see you dont have to travel far to get a bag of quality flatties!

adam

[stewie]

Schmuck / Travis,

I'll post a photo of my wading rig next time I get out. I use a kids boogie board (plan to get an adult one at some point), with a rectangular container secured on top. I tie a rope from the standard leg rope connector on the board to the waste loop in my waders. I have a rod holder connected to the container to place my rod when I deal with the fish. I also put a bit more floatation around the boogie board edges with old soft roof rack cushions. Seems to get through some tough bow waves, even the ones that wet the inside of the waders.

Have a good week,

Stewie.