First topwater fish ft. Little_Flatty and not-so-little flatty

[lhan]

Hi raiders,

Recently I stocked some slippery dog and one sugapen for the coming summer and started to practice my muscle to work them. After a busy day yesterday I messaged @Little_Flatty that I prob would give his topwater stomping ground a go the next morning. While neither of us could guarantee, the eagerness of fishos brought us together this morning tho my laziness almost won. He had two good fish on topwater already when I arrived. Afraid of missing the topwater timing, I rigged up my sugapen and went straight into it.

@Little_Flatty kindly walked me thru the area and taught me how to mix walk&pause properly. He also scored another chopper tailor while I'm figuring out how to walk the sugapen in my reverse hand direction - even I felt exciting when I saw the hit! Not long after I saw a silver flash dashed beneath my lure and took it. A bit of run, it managed to release itself. I kinda like those small choppers doing self-release honestly.

Then it was quiet for both of us and it came to the time when @Little_Flatty had to go. I still had half an hour to fish so decided to do castings while I walked back to my car.  I casted into the flats near creek mouth, flip-flop, pause, and the lure gone??? I lightly striked and it felt a bit heavy on the other end, fish on. Initially I thought it's a small bream or so - I must be fooled by the topwater pausing caused slack line... It's actually heavy and strength-packed when fighting it. I brought it in close and it's a flathead????? I read reports on topwater flathead before and I know some sub-surface lures are paricularly good for them on sandy flats but it's still beyond my thoughts that I could get one myself. Literally heart pounding, I net it in, gave a quick meansure and snapped a photo. Then it's back to the water safe and sound. It literally gulped the whole sugapen, crazy! Luckily my 6lb leader held up well this time.

Then I switched to a slippery dog to practise a bit more as I find slippery dog is bit harder for me to walk properly. No hook ups after a dozen casts then it's my time to go. It's a short session but it means much more for me! Really appreciate @Little_Flatty for helping me unlock my first topwater fish and also @DerekD who put the dots there a year ago for me to connect now.

Tight lines,

Henry

[Aussie_fisher]

All your last few reports have been on catching 50cm+ flatties - let me in on the secret 🤣

[DerekD]

Hi @lhan,

Congratulations on a beautiful topwater flatty. I've come close a couple of times but haven't converted one yet. Even saw the hit from one and the lure disappeared but no hook set.

It has been a real pleasure to watch your growth in ability and confidence and I'm looking forward to seeing more of your journey. Thanks for sharing.

Regards,

Derek

[Little_Flatty]

Really made my day to hear you ticked off your first top water catch Henry! And catching a flathead as your first top water species? You’re a one in a million angler in the making!

(I’m very glad you dropped the tailor…would’ve tainted your record)🤣

[lhan]

23 minutes ago, Aussie_fisher said:

All your last few reports have been on catching 50cm+ flatties - let me in on the secret 🤣

Actually after I finished the report I realised this is my first catch in the parramatta river in more than 2 weeks. Micro jigs didn't do the tricks for me recently so I just try to use different things (with no luck tho). Persistence is the key as they said!

Also, bring a net if you're targeting flathead. It helped me a lot seriously.

8 minutes ago, DerekD said:

Hi @lhan,

Congratulations on a beautiful topwater flatty. I've come close a couple of times but haven't converted one yet. Even saw the hit from one and the lure disappeared but no hook set.

It has been a real pleasure to watch your growth in ability and confidence and I'm looking forward to seeing more of your journey. Thanks for sharing.

Regards,

Derek

Thanks @DerekD! It's my luck to start my journey with your mentoring and I'm still having those `aha` moments from time to time having memory flashbacks. I'm looking forward to giving more reports too!

5 minutes ago, Little_Flatty said:

Really made my day to hear you ticked off your first top water catch Henry! And catching a flathead as your first top water species? You’re a one in a million angler in the making!

(I’m very glad you dropped the tailor…would’ve tainted your record)🤣

Really appreciate for coming by and walking me thur @Little_Flatty! The flathead is a big surprise for me too! Trust me I guessed every single estuary species except flathead until I actually saw it. Wish we could have more sessions in the future!

[Little_Flatty]

11 minutes ago, lhan said:

Actually after I finished the report I realised this is my first catch in the parramatta river in more than 2 weeks. Micro jigs didn't do the tricks for me recently so I just try to use different things (with no luck tho). Persistence is the key as they said!

Also, bring a net if you're targeting flathead. It helped me a lot seriously.

Two very important tips there @Aussie_fisher. No secrets unfortunately, you just got to spend time on the water and fish through the donuts. Even donut sessions are good for the soul, with the right perspective.

12 minutes ago, lhan said:

Really appreciate for coming by and walking me thur @Little_Flatty! The flathead is a big surprise for me too! Trust me I guessed every single estuary species except flathead until I actually saw it. Wish we could have more sessions in the future!

My pleasure.

There will be more to come! Until then you’ve had the requisite confidence boost😎

[Green Hornet]

How much fun are flatties on surface!!! Way more aggressive than the usual bream and whiting and so good seeing one launch itself clean out of the water to nail a stickbait.

[Yowie]

Nice flattie, and yes, when they jump out of the water (I have had 2 tail walk on the surface) you realise how much power is in the tail - flatties need the sudden power as one second they are sitting still on the bottom, then next second launching hard to grab some food, or your lure.

[Pickles]

Great work @lhan, that’s a solid lizard on a top water lure, well done and good on Mike - @Little_Flatty for his help, always one to give good advice.

Edited September 30 by Pickles

[lhan]

4 hours ago, Green Hornet said:

How much fun are flatties on surface!!! Way more aggressive than the usual bream and whiting and so good seeing one launch itself clean out of the water to nail a stickbait.

yeah it's absolutely mental how aggressive they to hit a topwater lure like this.

40 minutes ago, Yowie said:

Nice flattie, and yes, when they jump out of the water (I have had 2 tail walk on the surface) you realise how much power is in the tail - flatties need the sudden power as one second they are sitting still on the bottom, then next second launching hard to grab some food, or your lure.

Thanks @Yowie. While they're always the bycatch for bream fishos, it actually fun and challenging to land bigger ones on light gear. This one didn't make the obvious jump attack but it literally sucked the whole 70mm sugapen in! It took a while for me to free her from those trebbles.

18 minutes ago, Pickles said:

Great work @lhan, that’s a solid lizard on a top water lure, well done and good on Mike - @Little_Flatty for his help, always one to give good advice.

Thanks @Pickles. I only fished twice with Mike but I can assure you what you said about him is 100% true.

[jenno64]

Fantastic post Ihan! A top water flatty of that size is a great achievement! Keep them coming🙏🏻

[Bennyg78]

Well done @lhan! 

I love a good topwater hit!!

[big Neil]

I would like to congratulate you, Mike and Derek. What you guys are doing up there in Sydney is exactly what needs to be done. Encouraging each other, sharing methods and tips, spending time catching up with each other, and each improving their skills and capabilities. That is what is best about Fishraider...the fact that you guys make it happen. 

That is a cracking Flathead caught by any method, but I reckon it's a class act on topwater. Keep learning, keep practising and keep the reports coming. Very well done.

bn

[lhan]

19 hours ago, jenno64 said:

Fantastic post Ihan! A top water flatty of that size is a great achievement! Keep them coming🙏🏻

Thanks @jenno64. I'll try hard to keep them coming!

3 hours ago, Bennyg78 said:

Well done @lhan! 

I love a good topwater hit!!

Haha thanks @Bennyg78! Now I get why you are so obsessed with it!

2 hours ago, big Neil said:

I would like to congratulate you, Mike and Derek. What you guys are doing up there in Sydney is exactly what needs to be done. Encouraging each other, sharing methods and tips, spending time catching up with each other, and each improving their skills and capabilities. That is what is best about Fishraider...the fact that you guys make it happen. 

That is a cracking Flathead caught by any method, but I reckon it's a class act on topwater. Keep learning, keep practising and keep the reports coming. Very well done.

bn

That's a big compliment @big Neil! I'm fortunate to be part of the community and taken well care of by everyone I met or e-met. I'm looking forward to catching up with you next time!