W4z Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Left wondering whether I just got lucky the other day I decided to try again and flick a few plastics around. I had about an hour and a half before dark and high tide fell right in the middle. First up I had a squid attack my zman grub but the hook didn't set. Shame because I got a look at it and it would have been a pb for me. Didn't have any squid jigs on me so just moved on. It was a bit slower today but after about 40 minutes I hooked something up. Turned out to be a 38cm flatty. No monster but just reassures me that I'm doing something right. Continued fishing til a bit after dark then headed home. The water was so calm it was a very peaceful evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Witha Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Great work mate always good to know it's not just luck! Keep at it mate they will come consistently now Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busy-livin Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Hey mate , Where in the hacking have you. Been flicking your soft plastics? Good work with the flat ties Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Stalker Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Looks like you were doing something right. Once = perhaps fluke Twice = sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nbdshroom Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Two to be true! Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveTheBoy Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 Excellent work mate. It's a very satisfying feeling to be able to replicate and catch consistently! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinsoi Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 Nicely done again and keep up the great work. It's very rewarding to catch fish on lures and you are doing very well. All the best Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W4z Posted April 11, 2014 Author Share Posted April 11, 2014 Cheers guys. Some thing I've been meaning to ask - after the flathead is dead can you still get a nasty sting from their barbs? Like at home when filleting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Stalker Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 (edited) If mishandled yes they can still slice you open. Their spikes do not retract. Edited April 11, 2014 by Trout Stalker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VBCB Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 If mishandled yes they can still slice you open. Their spikes do not retract. lol Cute question it was Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W4z Posted April 11, 2014 Author Share Posted April 11, 2014 I had been told that dusky flatheads have a toxin on the spikes that causes more than usual pain. Maybe this isn't true? It was this toxin that I was referring to, but maybe it's just a myth... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Witha Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 I had been told that dusky flatheads have a toxin on the spikes that causes more than usual pain. Maybe this isn't true? It was this toxin that I was referring to, but maybe it's just a myth...I have found that the gill rakes (sharp razor blade spines on the gill plate) make you bleed/ itch more than usual / getting spiked by them or bream etc is worse than say a needle. But that could be due to salt/ unfamiliar compounds on the skin. One trick which may be an old wives tale is to wipe some of the flatties slime on the cut, seems to neutralize it a little. Pretty easy to avoid if they're dead n ready to fillet, but avoid those gill rakes! Many a scar on my hands from a flatty.Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Stalker Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 I had been told that dusky flatheads have a toxin on the spikes that causes more than usual pain. Maybe this isn't true? It was this toxin that I was referring to, but maybe it's just a myth... They don't hurt more than usual but they do have an anti coagulant which makes the blood keep coming. That is the reason some say to rub slime on it but I am not sure how effective it is. It doesn't seem to help me much... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W4z Posted April 11, 2014 Author Share Posted April 11, 2014 Ok thanks for the info guys. As you can see I'm still learning a lot. Because I had heard to rub your hand on the belly if you were spiked that just reinforced that there must be some toxin or poison to me. Good to hear what you guys think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paikea Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 Flathead are not the only fish that can give you a nasty sting with considerable pain. There is a little fish that is sometimes caught when dragging a prawn net, I only know it as a "Happy Moment". Got hit by one in Lake Illawarra some years ago, hurt like hell and took a long time for the pain to subside. Anyone else struck one of these and know their correct name? Cheers Paikea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aeb870 Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 Flathead are not the only fish that can give you a nasty sting with considerable pain. There is a little fish that is sometimes caught when dragging a prawn net, I only know it as a "Happy Moment". Got hit by one in Lake Illawarra some years ago, hurt like hell and took a long time for the pain to subside. Anyone else struck one of these and know their correct name? Cheers Paikea I think one of their names is black trevally. Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VBCB Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 One trick you might not know consists in unhooking your fish belly up while holding it firmly. When turned upside down the flathead tends not to move, or at least a lot less. Must create something in its brain or nervous system, doesn't arm them but they get in a sort of lethargy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W4z Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 Thanks TC, I've heard that about other fish like mahi mahi but haven't thought about it while handling flathead. Will give it a go next time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oziodin Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 Keep up what you are doing seemly it's working. Cheers Oziodin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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