Successful Flathead on SP

[Miketheangler]

I for sure am not nearly as good as many other anglers at catching quality Flathead on soft plastics but here are some tip top tips to lead you in the right way.

Flathead are a very lazy fish, often making them are very rare catch on bait, as they often wait till the bait reaches them. This is why soft plastics can be much more effective as you can simply deliver the food to them. Think of a human, why get up and drive to pizza hut and you can just order one.

The typical flathead outfit: 3-5kg 6-7ft graphite rod (3-5kg because you will often find Jews like to hop on as well ?, also ep's depending which area your fishing) spooled with 8-12lb braid,with a good 2 meters of 12lb fleurocarbon topshotted. This will keep you safe for flatties and will allow your outfit to also be used to target Jews and many other small pelagics. The number one rule is, the lighter you go, the more bites you'll get. And braid, is a must! As you will often find that as you commence your retrieve you will be hooked onto a fish without even knowing it had already engulfed the plastic.

When to fish: Fishing around tide changes and fishing the runout tide is the best go, nevertheless flathead can be caught all day, many target them at night producing good quality fish. But as I said, flathead are easily accessed all day.

What to look for when fishing:The typical flathead country consists of drop offs, sand, and mud. Another key point is if there is plenty of baitfish around, which will often come with what I stated in the previous sentence, and some tailor. If your fishing off a boat and have a working sounder, water temperature plays a big part. You'll find many pros deciding between on fishing spots just because the water temp is a degree higher. Not because there will be no fish, but because there is a much higher chance of them congregating in one area. 

Where to cast: Flathead will face into the current, leaving stray baitfish lost in the current and easy target for flathead. This will mean you would probably want to cast your lure and retrieve it the opposite way the current is going. This is not a key aspect but could play apart of catching a flatty, people often say a lure retrieved with the current is much more natural looking underwater. As I said earlier, look for drop offs surrounded by weed beds, baitfish and sand. Although many quiet places are also fond of holding some flathead. Flathead will also like color change in the water. DO NOT BE DETERRED BY DIRTY WATER, flathead are an ambush predator, like perch, bass and mulloway, they would prefer murkier water as this helps their ambushing ability.

What soft plastics to use: Do not stray away from using large plastics, to flathead,it means much less effort for a more appetizing meal. Match the hook size to the plastic size, but a general purpose flathead hook will probably be a 1/8ounce with a size 1/0hook. 2/0's are still perfect don't be afraid to go big. I like using the TT LURES HEADLOCKZ Jigheads as they clinch onto the soft plastic much better. And I'd definietly opt for Zman Plastics as you'll find tailor will sometimes get in the way so the durability is a must. Flathead will take anything, from prawn imitations, grubz, even a simple paddletail. For god sake if you dropped a metal lure at their face they will probably take it.

This is how I choose my lures:

-At night when there is light (e.g. full moon, lights) use dark lures as this will create a great silhouette. Think of a flattie staring up at a lure, as the light shines around the lure casting a big black tasty figure. Bright lures could still be a choice

-At night and there is no light(also murky and dark water) opt for brightly colored lures.

-During daylight, and good water quality, opt for natural colored lures. Don't be afraid and not go out on a fishing trip because you don't have natural lures, the bright and funky ones should be able to get out a bite.

Good lures to start at: zman slim swimz in pink, I caught my first flattie on a gulp saltwater pogy 3inch. Zman 2.5in grubz. Other4 inch swimmerz should do the job.

The retrieve: Right as your lure hits the water, engage the reel and keep very wary of your line as flathead will often take your plastic on the first drop. You can very slowroll the plastic just above the surface or, the most familiar and probably the best retrieve is a double hop. When the lure hits the bottom, use two hops of the rod tip and wind in the slack as the lure falls to the ground. Depending where and what lures used, you might come across, mulloway, estuary perch(ep),bream, tailor(pesky bastards), trevally and also kingfish and salmon(most likely during sunrise and sunset hours).

Thanks for reading this article and I hope I helped you on your way to that cracking flathead you've been dreaming about. Stay safe out on the water and tight lines!

P.s I caught my first flattie on sp with the braid connected directly to lure(murky water, still wouldn't recommend it because big flatties have abrasive mouths) because I didn't know what a leader was ?
 

[nbdshroom]

That was nicely written. Some really good tips there. 

[Miketheangler]

1 minute ago, nbdshroom said:

That was nicely written. Some really good tips there. 

Thanks!

[Rah]

Some great tips there mate. 

[Miketheangler]

On 1/19/2018 at 11:07 PM, Rah said:

Some great tips there mate. 

 

On 1/19/2018 at 9:26 PM, nbdshroom said:

That was nicely written. Some really good tips there. 

Here's on I cracked today going 64cm on 6lb gear unfortuanetly couldn't get the releeas he was gut hooked

[Rah]

Great fish mate. 

[nutsaboutfishing]

One thing, I prefer to engage my reel after the cast when line stops peeling off and the jighead is  on the bottom. If you engage the reel as soon as the lure hits  the water, you decrease the effective distance of you cast. But then again each to his own.

Some great tips there.

 

richard

[Miketheangler]

3 hours ago, nutsaboutfishing said:

One thing, I prefer to engage my reel after the cast when line stops peeling off and the jighead is  on the bottom. If you engage the reel as soon as the lure hits  the water, you decrease the effective distance of you cast. But then again each to his own.

Some great tips there.

 

richard

That's true if your fishing deeper water.

[jordy]

Recently went out with a pro fishing guide and part of the trip was targeting flatties on SPs,the above article is spot on.Miketheangler nailed it. Its a great learning curve and casting into ultra shallow tidal water and seeing that swirl of mud behind the lure and anticipating the flatty slamming your plastic was fantastic fun and has changed the way ill target them in the future.Well written Mike.

[antonywardle]

thanks for taking the time to write this up. I'll definitely be having a go

 

cheers