Khan

Hi mate, flatties on plastics is quite easy and there or a couple of techniques i like to use.
First use a 1/4 Oz jig head if water is calm, cast out and wait for it to it the bottom. Lift the rod tip a foot or two and slowly wind as the plastic flutters back down to hit the bottom again. Do this until it's back at shore or boat/yak. The lure motion is like a something hopping across the bottom. You don't want wind too fast though. A pause of few seconds when at the bottom is good. Remember they lay on the bottom and ambush so you might not realise they are on until your next rod tip lift.
The other method is basically a slow retrieve on or close to the bottom. Cast out out, let it sinks. Slow retrieve. You may feel lure bounce or rocks or weed. 
 
They will take 3 inch to 9 inch plastics.
 
 

Hi all, 
I was wondering if anyone knew any rock/headland spots in the Cairns to Port Douglas region. Recently purchased a new PE2-3 spin casting setup and want to chase some palaegics or trout off the stones. Anywhere close to the reef that is castable or an area known to catch mackerel in the winter would be super sweet. Also would be great to head out with someone as I'm new to the area.
Thanks folks 

Hi all, 
I was wondering if anyone knew any rock/headland spots in the Cairns to Port Douglas region. Recently purchased a new PE2-3 spin casting setup and want to chase some palaegics or trout off the stones. Anywhere close to the reef that is castable or an area known to catch mackerel in the winter would be super sweet. Also would be great to head out with someone as I'm new to the area.
Thanks folks 

I’m not interested but you should probably put a price up.

Up for sale is the popular and trusty Slammer 3 3500.
A year old, has been rock solid and used for estuary and stone fishing in NSW.
Famous for being tough and water proof. 13.6kg of drag.
Comes with original packaging, paperwork, and knobs/handles.
Spooled with Dogtooth fluid cast 30lb
Will post Aus wide at buys expense otherwise pickup is fine (Cairns area)
RRP $329
Selling for $200

starting with soft plastics can be challenging but after awhile you get better at it . as for fatties I highly recommend fishing 2 hours before high or low tide that's when I find I get the most I recommend you use the retrieve @Khan mentioned or use a slow roll technique you let the lure sink... quickly reel in for a few seconds and then let it sink again and repeat .I use both retrieves. I find the slow roll technique works best for my local areas but switch the retrieves up every now then. every day is different sometimes flatties might prefer one retrieve over the other id also recommend using the right gear its gonna be very hard chasing flatties on plastics if your using a 5000 size reel and a 6-9kg rod spooled with 20lb mono. a 1000-3000 sized reel matched with a 1-4kg 2-4kg or 3-5kg rod is ideal for flatties on plastics and braid from 4-12lb is good and leaders from 6-15lb is ideal id recommend using at least 10lb leader first just in case a flattie swallows your lure after awhile your reaction time using lures will improve and you can go down to 8 or 6lb leader but I recommend starting out with 10lb leader or even 12lb leader if you wish. As for plastics I recommend 2.5-3.5 inch plastics matched with 1/8-1/4 jigheads you can go heavier if your fishing deep channels with high currents . flatties are not particularly fussy on colours but I usually use whitebait/sardine colours or motor oil/grub colours or even sometimes bright pink orange and green colours . I usually find the natural whitebait or grub colours work best though. as for brands I recommend Daiwa bait junkie and Zman the most after that it would be savage gear and eco gear then after that squidgies and Berkley although sometimes the bargain bin specials/strange unknown brands work better then all of the brands I just mentioned but generally all the brands I just mentioned work extremely well and shouldn't make much difference on what plastics you use . And lastly location and where your fishing is key for flatties .you'll find you'll catch the most and biggest flatties in shallow water 1-4 feet sometimes though they hide out in deep channels . also drop offs and heavy structure but be warned flatties are not forgiving fish around heavy structure. So to sum it up if you 
fish 2 hours before high or low tide
use good retrieves and mix it up
use the right gear tackle and lures 
target drop offs structure and shallow banks 
I guarantee you'll be catching flatties left right and centre 
hope that helps make sure to listen to other peoples advice to @Drop Bear @Khan@ellicat and others had great tips to. welcome to the forum feel free to ask any tips on any of your fishing/outdoors subjects there are plenty of great experienced fishers on this forum to answer your questions .

Hi mate, flatties on plastics is quite easy and there or a couple of techniques i like to use.
First use a 1/4 Oz jig head if water is calm, cast out and wait for it to it the bottom. Lift the rod tip a foot or two and slowly wind as the plastic flutters back down to hit the bottom again. Do this until it's back at shore or boat/yak. The lure motion is like a something hopping across the bottom. You don't want wind too fast though. A pause of few seconds when at the bottom is good. Remember they lay on the bottom and ambush so you might not realise they are on until your next rod tip lift.
The other method is basically a slow retrieve on or close to the bottom. Cast out out, let it sinks. Slow retrieve. You may feel lure bounce or rocks or weed. 
 
They will take 3 inch to 9 inch plastics.
 
 

Hi mate, flatties on plastics is quite easy and there or a couple of techniques i like to use.
First use a 1/4 Oz jig head if water is calm, cast out and wait for it to it the bottom. Lift the rod tip a foot or two and slowly wind as the plastic flutters back down to hit the bottom again. Do this until it's back at shore or boat/yak. The lure motion is like a something hopping across the bottom. You don't want wind too fast though. A pause of few seconds when at the bottom is good. Remember they lay on the bottom and ambush so you might not realise they are on until your next rod tip lift.
The other method is basically a slow retrieve on or close to the bottom. Cast out out, let it sinks. Slow retrieve. You may feel lure bounce or rocks or weed. 
 
They will take 3 inch to 9 inch plastics.
 
 

Hi mate, flatties on plastics is quite easy and there or a couple of techniques i like to use.
First use a 1/4 Oz jig head if water is calm, cast out and wait for it to it the bottom. Lift the rod tip a foot or two and slowly wind as the plastic flutters back down to hit the bottom again. Do this until it's back at shore or boat/yak. The lure motion is like a something hopping across the bottom. You don't want wind too fast though. A pause of few seconds when at the bottom is good. Remember they lay on the bottom and ambush so you might not realise they are on until your next rod tip lift.
The other method is basically a slow retrieve on or close to the bottom. Cast out out, let it sinks. Slow retrieve. You may feel lure bounce or rocks or weed. 
 
They will take 3 inch to 9 inch plastics.
 
 

Park where the yellow highlight is next to the footy field; from there you'll see a bike path heading to the creek. I'd suggest head left downstream (casting as you go), all the way down to the road bridge on the main drag. Then walk back up Redlynch intake road past the shops to your car. Lure pattern is not an issue; its all about getting a good cast in without the fish seeing you.
Send me a PM if you like and we'll go for a walk along the creek. I haven't fished there for ages because the whole stealth thing frustrates me.
By the way well presented live bait outfishes everything here, no contest there.
You can walk up and downstream from Kamerunga bridge but its very crocky so have to be mindful - I see big crocs all the time there. I just fish off the bridge because there's always rats to be caught on little plastics there, however I have been blown away there by bigger fish more times than I can count. There's loads of bull sharks there too if that's your thing.
I've got a mate who lives right on Stony creek upstream from there if you want to try an inaccessable to the public area; however its a bit crocky and snakey.

G'day again. Wasnt expecting this much attention. Thanks to everyone who has responded!

@tiotony yeah thanks for the tips mate. Ive checked out Buzzy Thao's vids whilst consuming some beverages and have been to a few of the spots. I think most of them are more suited to live baiting where I prefer to flick lures. Ive also been stalking the forums for a few weeks and have seen some of your catches off the beaches, very nice mate.

Ive also walked Freshwater down near the train bridge on Lower Freshwater Rd which was great. Are there any other spots on that creek or nearby I should check out?
I also found Kamerunga bridge on Google Earth a few weeks ago. Seems most people fish off the bridge, is there a safe way to get closer to the water? 

@natang Yeah mate, been off the rockwall there a few times and caught a couple of fish. Had best luck on high tide off northern end of the rock wall. Went down a couple of weeks ago but they were dredging the channel so I called and sunk a few beers at the club instead haha

Might drive down to East Trinty and jump on the bike and flck around the flood gates off Chan Rd tomorrow if its not toooo windy. 

 

Hi all,
Recently relocated to Cairns (well, Smithfield) with my partner for a bit of a change of scenery. We have relocated from Terrigal on the Central Coast NSW and will be here for at least 18 months.
My partner relocated to Cairns hospital working a medical professional and I am working from home at my previous company from down South as a Network Engineer. 
Seeing as though I like to wet a line and dont exclusively know anyone from here (working from home I dont get the chance to really meet anyone), I thought I'd join the forum to try and get know some local fishos, get some idea of some spots, talk tackle, and just shoot the **** really. If you are in the area, dont be shy to drop me a msg.

Down South I'd walk down to the beach and flick for flatties on the flats, chase the occasional bonito and salmon, and when I could be assed, chase some bass around the bush.

Having bass tackle I would love to chase down some JPs up here. Ive had a few goes but finding the creek has been challenging. Also would love to get into some barra fishing. I dont have a boat so I guess I am limited in that way.

So yeah, g'day everyone, happy to be here!
 

Hi all,
Recently relocated to Cairns (well, Smithfield) with my partner for a bit of a change of scenery. We have relocated from Terrigal on the Central Coast NSW and will be here for at least 18 months.
My partner relocated to Cairns hospital working a medical professional and I am working from home at my previous company from down South as a Network Engineer. 
Seeing as though I like to wet a line and dont exclusively know anyone from here (working from home I dont get the chance to really meet anyone), I thought I'd join the forum to try and get know some local fishos, get some idea of some spots, talk tackle, and just shoot the **** really. If you are in the area, dont be shy to drop me a msg.

Down South I'd walk down to the beach and flick for flatties on the flats, chase the occasional bonito and salmon, and when I could be assed, chase some bass around the bush.

Having bass tackle I would love to chase down some JPs up here. Ive had a few goes but finding the creek has been challenging. Also would love to get into some barra fishing. I dont have a boat so I guess I am limited in that way.

So yeah, g'day everyone, happy to be here!
 

G'day again. Wasnt expecting this much attention. Thanks to everyone who has responded!

@tiotony yeah thanks for the tips mate. Ive checked out Buzzy Thao's vids whilst consuming some beverages and have been to a few of the spots. I think most of them are more suited to live baiting where I prefer to flick lures. Ive also been stalking the forums for a few weeks and have seen some of your catches off the beaches, very nice mate.

Ive also walked Freshwater down near the train bridge on Lower Freshwater Rd which was great. Are there any other spots on that creek or nearby I should check out?
I also found Kamerunga bridge on Google Earth a few weeks ago. Seems most people fish off the bridge, is there a safe way to get closer to the water? 

@natang Yeah mate, been off the rockwall there a few times and caught a couple of fish. Had best luck on high tide off northern end of the rock wall. Went down a couple of weeks ago but they were dredging the channel so I called and sunk a few beers at the club instead haha

Might drive down to East Trinty and jump on the bike and flck around the flood gates off Chan Rd tomorrow if its not toooo windy. 

 

G'day again. Wasnt expecting this much attention. Thanks to everyone who has responded!

@tiotony yeah thanks for the tips mate. Ive checked out Buzzy Thao's vids whilst consuming some beverages and have been to a few of the spots. I think most of them are more suited to live baiting where I prefer to flick lures. Ive also been stalking the forums for a few weeks and have seen some of your catches off the beaches, very nice mate.

Ive also walked Freshwater down near the train bridge on Lower Freshwater Rd which was great. Are there any other spots on that creek or nearby I should check out?
I also found Kamerunga bridge on Google Earth a few weeks ago. Seems most people fish off the bridge, is there a safe way to get closer to the water? 

@natang Yeah mate, been off the rockwall there a few times and caught a couple of fish. Had best luck on high tide off northern end of the rock wall. Went down a couple of weeks ago but they were dredging the channel so I called and sunk a few beers at the club instead haha

Might drive down to East Trinty and jump on the bike and flck around the flood gates off Chan Rd tomorrow if its not toooo windy. 

 

Hi all,
Recently relocated to Cairns (well, Smithfield) with my partner for a bit of a change of scenery. We have relocated from Terrigal on the Central Coast NSW and will be here for at least 18 months.
My partner relocated to Cairns hospital working a medical professional and I am working from home at my previous company from down South as a Network Engineer. 
Seeing as though I like to wet a line and dont exclusively know anyone from here (working from home I dont get the chance to really meet anyone), I thought I'd join the forum to try and get know some local fishos, get some idea of some spots, talk tackle, and just shoot the **** really. If you are in the area, dont be shy to drop me a msg.

Down South I'd walk down to the beach and flick for flatties on the flats, chase the occasional bonito and salmon, and when I could be assed, chase some bass around the bush.

Having bass tackle I would love to chase down some JPs up here. Ive had a few goes but finding the creek has been challenging. Also would love to get into some barra fishing. I dont have a boat so I guess I am limited in that way.

So yeah, g'day everyone, happy to be here!
 

Hi all,
Recently relocated to Cairns (well, Smithfield) with my partner for a bit of a change of scenery. We have relocated from Terrigal on the Central Coast NSW and will be here for at least 18 months.
My partner relocated to Cairns hospital working a medical professional and I am working from home at my previous company from down South as a Network Engineer. 
Seeing as though I like to wet a line and dont exclusively know anyone from here (working from home I dont get the chance to really meet anyone), I thought I'd join the forum to try and get know some local fishos, get some idea of some spots, talk tackle, and just shoot the **** really. If you are in the area, dont be shy to drop me a msg.

Down South I'd walk down to the beach and flick for flatties on the flats, chase the occasional bonito and salmon, and when I could be assed, chase some bass around the bush.

Having bass tackle I would love to chase down some JPs up here. Ive had a few goes but finding the creek has been challenging. Also would love to get into some barra fishing. I dont have a boat so I guess I am limited in that way.

So yeah, g'day everyone, happy to be here!
 

Hi all,
Recently relocated to Cairns (well, Smithfield) with my partner for a bit of a change of scenery. We have relocated from Terrigal on the Central Coast NSW and will be here for at least 18 months.
My partner relocated to Cairns hospital working a medical professional and I am working from home at my previous company from down South as a Network Engineer. 
Seeing as though I like to wet a line and dont exclusively know anyone from here (working from home I dont get the chance to really meet anyone), I thought I'd join the forum to try and get know some local fishos, get some idea of some spots, talk tackle, and just shoot the **** really. If you are in the area, dont be shy to drop me a msg.

Down South I'd walk down to the beach and flick for flatties on the flats, chase the occasional bonito and salmon, and when I could be assed, chase some bass around the bush.

Having bass tackle I would love to chase down some JPs up here. Ive had a few goes but finding the creek has been challenging. Also would love to get into some barra fishing. I dont have a boat so I guess I am limited in that way.

So yeah, g'day everyone, happy to be here!