Targeting Flathead

[EMP]

How does one specifically target a flatty? It's weird because I've never caught one.

How do you catch it?

EMP

[Mozza]

It depends on whether you are going bait or lures. If you are going bait, i find a ganged pilchard with a small sinker is good or if you are going lure try soft plastics e.g. 3 or 5 inch berkley powerbaits work well.

[Cowfish13]

Yeap, and don't be afraid to use a heavy jighead of 1/8oz to 1/4oz or heavier if the current is strong enough (with an appropriate sized hook matching the chosen plastic). When going for Flathead with plastics, it's good to have the lure banging into the bottom, or when using a hardbody, having the bib dig into the sand, throwing up a cloud of sand attracting Flathead in the process:)

When bait fishing, I've only ever really fluked them on a prawn, but a lot of people like to use live baits (like Herring and Mullet) with good success.

[Mozza]

If you remember Will the last time we were at the rock wall around the front of fishermans island i got that flatty on a live herring ... the same day jack got that 60cm Cod

[EMP]

Thanks Mozza and Cowfish. I'll let you know if I ever catch one.

EMP

[Mack_attack]

Good areas to target flatties are sandbanks that have good drop offs say 0.5m down to 2.5m and the best place to work your lure is either up or down the drop off itself. Also another really good spot is on the sand or mud next to the base of a rockwall or similar structure. Usually if you fish directly on the rocks you'll catch bream or cod or most likely get snagged if your're using a plastic.

hope this helps

Jack

[Dan23]

also flatties prefer a jerky retrieve but like Cowfish said try and keep contact with the bottom. That said Flatties will hit baits in mid water and even poppers but not as commonly as when bottom fishing.

[username_taken]

Cowfish13 wrote:

Yeap, and don't be afraid to use a heavy jighead of 1/8oz to 1/4oz or heavier if the current is strong enough (with an appropriate sized hook matching the chosen plastic). When going for Flathead with plastics, it's good to have the lure banging into the bottom, or when using a hardbody, having the bib dig into the sand, throwing up a cloud of sand attracting Flathead in the process:)

When bait fishing, I've only ever really fluked them on a prawn, but a lot of people like to use live baits (like Herring and Mullet) with good success.

For ages I used to think 1/8oz was a light jighead ... probably explains why it took so long for me to catch a bream on SP

[EMP]

Thanks again everyone.

EMP

[kevinchen19870316]

1, keep ur lure down close to the bottom

2, jerk jerk and jerk!

3, let the lure sink to the bottom or at least close to the bottom b4 the next jerk!

4, go slow with plenty of twitches if ur using HB.

5, fish sandie bottom with plenty of rocks and weeds near by/in amoung.

6, never lost interest if no hits, they will hit one day if ur doing it right then u'll keep catching them non stop!

[Jordan]

just cast net them

[uglyfish]

lol jordan...use a live diver whiting and sit back n have a stubbie mate.you wont get loads of hits but what hits u do will be worth it mate...

[username_taken]

Pull the plug, and when all the water drains out just walk along and collect them all. Don't forget to fill it back up for the next person though.